Comma Usage Flashcard

Front

What are coordinate adjectives?

Back

Coordinate adjectives are adjectives that equally modify a noun and are separated by a comma. For example, in the phrase 'the cold, rainy day', both 'cold' and 'rainy' describe 'day' equally.

Front

How do you use commas with coordinate adjectives?

Back

When two or more adjectives equally modify a noun, they should be separated by a comma. For example: 'It was a long, tiring journey.'

Front

What is a nonrestrictive element?

Back

A nonrestrictive element is a part of a sentence that adds extra information but is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. It is usually set off by commas.

Front

How do you use commas with nonrestrictive elements?

Back

Nonrestrictive elements should be enclosed in commas. For example: 'My sister, who is a doctor, lives in Chicago.'

Front

What is a list with items that contain commas?

Back

A list where items themselves contain commas requires semicolons to separate the items for clarity.

Front

How do you correctly punctuate a list with items that contain commas?

Back

Use semicolons to separate the items. For example: 'We visited Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; and Rome, Italy.'

Front

What is a comma splice?

Back

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

Front

How can you avoid a comma splice?

Back

You can avoid a comma splice by using a semicolon, a coordinating conjunction, or by making separate sentences.

Front

What is an introductory phrase?

Back

An introductory phrase is a group of words that provides context for the main part of the sentence and is usually followed by a comma.

Front

How do you use commas after introductory phrases?

Back

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