Commas

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 do we use commas in a list?

Back

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

Front

What is the purpose of a comma before 'and' in a list?

Back

The comma before 'and' in a list is called the Oxford comma. It clarifies the separation of items, especially in complex lists.

Front

How do you use commas in compound sentences?

Back

In compound sentences, a comma is used before the conjunction (like 'and', 'but', 'or') that connects two independent clauses. For example: 'I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain.'

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. For example: 'She loves to read.'

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. It needs an independent clause to make sense. For example: 'Although she loves to read, she didn't have time.'

Front

When should you use a comma after an introductory phrase?

Back

A comma should be used 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.'

Front

How do you use commas with adjectives?

Back

When two or more adjectives equally describe a noun, they should be separated by commas. For example: 'It was a long, tiring day.'

Front

What is a non-restrictive clause?

Back

A non-restrictive clause adds extra information to a sentence but is not essential to its meaning. It is set off by commas. For example: 'My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting.'

Front

What is a restrictive clause?

Back

A restrictive clause provides essential information about the noun it modifies and is not set off by commas. For example: 'The book that I borrowed is great.'