Comma Usage

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 after an introductory phrase?

Back

A comma should be used after an introductory phrase to separate it from the main clause of the sentence.

Front

What is the rule for using commas in a list?

Back

In a list of three or more items, commas are used to separate the items, and a comma is placed before the conjunction (and, or) in the last item (Oxford comma).

Front

How do you use commas with coordinating conjunctions?

Back

A comma is used before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

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

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence and usually begins with a subordinating conjunction (because, since, when, etc.).

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 items that are closely related.

Front

What is the purpose of commas in direct address?

Back

Commas are used to separate the name of a person being addressed from the rest of the sentence.

Front

How do you use commas with adjectives?

Back

When two or more adjectives equally modify a noun, they should be separated by a comma.

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence is a sentence that contains at least two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.