Comma Placement

Front

What is the purpose of a comma in a sentence?

Back

A comma is used to indicate a pause, separate items in a list, or separate clauses in a sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Front

When should you use a comma before a coordinating conjunction?

Back

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

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

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.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Front

How do you use commas in a list?

Back

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

Tags

CCSS.L.1.2C

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.7.2A

Front

What is a clause?

Back

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. It can be independent or dependent.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.W.5.2D

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

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 not independent clauses.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Front

What is the rule for using commas with cities and states?

Back

When writing a city and state, use a comma to separate them, for example: 'I live in Richmond, Virginia.'

Tags

CCSS.L.2.2B

CCSS.L.3.2B

CCSS.L.3.2C

CCSS.L.4.2B

CCSS.L.6.2A

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence because it does not express a complete thought.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Front

How do commas help clarify meaning in a sentence?

Back

Commas help clarify meaning by indicating pauses and separating ideas, which can prevent confusion.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2B

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.5.2B

Front

What is the Oxford comma?

Back

The Oxford comma is the final comma in a list of items, placed before 'and' or 'or.' It is used for clarity.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.2C

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.7.2A