Comma Rules Flashcard

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What is an appositive phrase?

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An appositive phrase is a noun or noun phrase that renames or explains another noun right beside it. For example, in the sentence 'My brother, a skilled musician, plays guitar,' 'a skilled musician' is the appositive.

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When should you use a comma with an appositive phrase?

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You should use commas to set off an appositive phrase from the rest of the sentence if the appositive is non-restrictive (not essential to the meaning of the sentence). For example, 'My friend, a talented artist, painted this.'

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What is the rule for punctuating lists?

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In a list of three or more items, use commas to separate the items. The last item is usually preceded by 'and' or 'or.' For example, 'I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes.'

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What is a dependent clause?

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A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand alone as a sentence. For example, 'Although it was raining' is a dependent clause.

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When should you place a comma after a dependent clause?

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A comma should be placed after a dependent clause when it precedes an independent clause. For example, 'Although it was raining, we decided to go out.'

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What is an independent clause?

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An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence. For example, 'We went to the store.'

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What is the purpose of a comma in a sentence?

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Commas are used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence, to separate items in a list, to set off non-essential information, and to clarify meaning.

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How do you punctuate a sentence with a dependent clause at the beginning?

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When a dependent clause comes at the beginning of a sentence, it should be followed by a comma. For example, 'After the movie ended, we went out for dinner.'

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What is the Oxford comma?

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The Oxford comma, also known as the serial comma, is the final comma in a list of items, placed before 'and' or 'or.' For example, 'I want to buy apples, oranges, and bananas.' It is used to avoid ambiguity.

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What is a compound sentence?

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A compound sentence is a sentence that contains at least two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). For example, 'I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain.'