Punctuation

Front

What is punctuation?

Back

Punctuation refers to the marks used in writing that help clarify meaning and separate linguistic units. Common punctuation marks include periods, commas, question marks, and exclamation points.

Front

What is the purpose of a comma?

Back

Commas are used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence, to separate items in a list, and to set off clauses or phrases.

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When should you use a comma before 'and'?

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A comma is used before 'and' when it connects two independent clauses in a compound sentence.

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What is an independent clause?

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An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence because it contains a subject and a verb.

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What is a dependent clause?

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A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence and usually begins with a subordinating conjunction.

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How do you use commas in a list?

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Commas are used to separate items in a list. For example: 'I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.'

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What is the rule for using commas with introductory phrases?

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A comma should be placed after an introductory phrase or clause to separate it from the main clause. For example: 'After dinner, we went for a walk.'

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When should you use quotation marks?

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Quotation marks are used to indicate direct speech, quotations, or titles of short works.

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What is the difference between a period and a question mark?

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A period is used to end a declarative sentence, while a question mark is used to end an interrogative sentence.

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What is an exclamation point used for?

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An exclamation point is used to express strong emotion or emphasis at the end of a sentence.