Comma Practice

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 in a list?

Back

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

Front

What is the Oxford comma?

Back

The Oxford comma is the final comma in a list of items, placed before 'and' or 'or'. For example: 'I like apples, oranges, and bananas.'

Front

How do you use commas with conjunctions?

Back

Use a comma before a conjunction (like 'and' or 'but') when it connects two independent clauses. For example: 'I wanted to go, but it was raining.'

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence and often begins with a subordinating conjunction like 'because' or 'although'.

Front

How do you punctuate a sentence with a dependent clause?

Back

If a dependent clause comes before an independent clause, use a comma. For example: 'Because it was raining, we stayed inside.'

Front

What is an appositive?

Back

An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it. For example: 'My brother, a skilled musician, plays guitar.'

Front

How do you use commas with appositives?

Back

Use commas to set off appositives from the rest of the sentence. For example: 'My dog, a golden retriever, loves to play fetch.'

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 a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. For example: 'I wanted to play outside, but it started to rain.'