Commas Flashcard

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 in a list?

Back

Use commas to separate three or more items in a list. For example: 'I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.'

Front

What is the purpose of a semicolon?

Back

A semicolon is used to connect closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list.

Front

How do you use commas with conjunctions?

Back

Use a comma before a conjunction (like 'and' or 'but') when connecting two independent clauses. For example: 'I wanted to go, but it was raining.'

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence because it expresses a complete thought.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence because it does not express a complete thought. For example: 'Although it was raining...'

Front

How do you punctuate direct address in a sentence?

Back

Use commas to separate the name of the person being addressed from the rest of the sentence. For example: 'Can you help me, Sarah?'

Front

What is the Oxford comma?

Back

The Oxford comma is the final comma in a list of items, placed before 'and' or 'or'. For example: 'I love my parents, Lady Gaga, and Elvis Presley.'

Front

When should you not use a comma?

Back

Do not use a comma to separate a subject from its verb or to separate two verbs in a compound predicate.

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction or a semicolon.