USING COMMAS FLASHCARD

Front

What is the purpose of using commas in a sentence?

Back

Commas are used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence, separate items in a list, and clarify meaning.

Front

When should you use a comma before a conjunction?

Back

A comma should be used before a conjunction (like 'and', 'but', 'or') when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a verb.

Front

How do you punctuate direct quotes?

Back

Direct quotes should be enclosed in quotation marks, and a comma is used before the quote if it is preceded by a dialogue tag.

Front

What is a non-restrictive clause?

Back

A non-restrictive clause provides additional information but is not essential to the meaning of the sentence and is usually set off by commas.

Front

When should you not use a comma before 'because'?

Back

You should not use a comma before 'because' when the clause following it is essential to the meaning of the sentence.

Front

What is the rule for using commas in a list?

Back

Commas are used to separate items in a list, and a comma is typically placed before the conjunction in a series (Oxford comma).

Front

How do you use commas with introductory phrases?

Back

A comma should be placed after an introductory phrase or clause to separate it from the main clause.

Front

What is the difference between restrictive and non-restrictive clauses?

Back

Restrictive clauses are essential to the meaning of a sentence and are not set off by commas, while non-restrictive clauses add extra information and are set off by commas.

Front

When should you use a comma with adjectives?

Back

Use a comma between coordinate adjectives that equally modify a noun, but do not use a comma between cumulative adjectives.