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 clarify meaning.

Front

When should you use a comma in a list?

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

Front

Is this sentence correct? 'I want to eat pizza, pasta and, salad.'

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No, the correct sentence is 'I want to eat pizza, pasta, and salad.' The comma should be placed before 'and'.

Front

What is a compound sentence?

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A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction, often with a comma before the conjunction.

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When should you use a comma before a conjunction?

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Use a comma before a conjunction (like 'and', 'but', or 'or') when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

Is this sentence correct? 'On July 4 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed.'

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No, it should be 'On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed.' A comma is needed after '4'.

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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 has a subject and a verb.

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What is a dependent clause?

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A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. It usually begins with a subordinating conjunction like 'although', 'because', or 'if'.

Front

When should you use a comma after an introductory phrase?

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Use a comma after an introductory phrase or clause to separate it from the main part of the sentence. For example: 'After dinner, we went for a walk.'