Commas

Front

What is a comma?

Back

A comma is a punctuation mark (,) used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence or to separate items in a list.

Front

When should you use a comma before 'and' in a list?

Back

You should use a comma before 'and' in a list of three or more items (e.g., apples, oranges, and bananas). This is called the Oxford comma.

Front

How do you use commas in addresses?

Back

Commas are used to separate different parts of an address, such as the city and state (e.g., Houston, Texas).

Front

What is the rule for using commas in direct address?

Back

When directly addressing someone in a sentence, use a comma to separate their name from the rest of the sentence (e.g., "Can you help me, Sarah?").

Front

How do you use commas in dates?

Back

Commas are used to separate the day from the year in a date (e.g., July 4, 1776).

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined by a conjunction, and a comma is used before the conjunction (e.g., "I wanted to go, but I was too tired").

Front

When should you use a comma after an introductory phrase?

Back

Use a comma after an introductory phrase or clause to separate it from the main clause (e.g., "After dinner, we went for a walk").

Front

What is the purpose of commas in a series?

Back

Commas are used to separate items in a series to clarify the list (e.g., "We bought milk, eggs, bread, and cheese").

Front

How do you use commas with adjectives?

Back

When two or more adjectives equally describe a noun, use a comma to separate them (e.g., "It was a long, tiring day").

Front

What is a non-essential clause?

Back

A non-essential clause provides extra information but is not necessary for the sentence's meaning, and it should be set off by commas (e.g., "My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting").