Comma Usage

Front

What is the purpose of a comma 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 'and' in a list?

Back

A comma should be used before 'and' in a list of three or more items (Oxford comma) to clarify the separation of items.

Front

How do you use commas with direct address?

Back

Commas are used to separate the name of the person being addressed from the rest of the sentence, e.g., 'Let's eat, Grandma.'

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction, often requiring a comma before the conjunction.

Front

When should you use a comma after an introductory phrase?

Back

A comma should be used 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 rule for using commas in dates?

Back

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

Front

How do you punctuate a quote within a sentence?

Back

Commas are used to introduce a quote, e.g., 'He said, "I will be there soon."'

Front

What is the rule for using commas in addresses?

Back

Commas are used to separate elements of an address, e.g., '123 Main St, Springfield, IL 62704.'

Front

When should you use commas with adjectives?

Back

Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun, e.g., 'It was a long, exhausting day.'

Front

What is the function of a comma in a complex sentence?

Back

In a complex sentence, a comma is used to separate the dependent clause from the independent clause when the dependent clause comes first.