Commas in Phrases and Clauses

Front

What is a comma?

Back

A punctuation mark used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence or to separate items in a list.

Front

What does FANBOYS stand for?

Back

FANBOYS is an acronym for the coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

Front

When should a comma be used with FANBOYS?

Back

A comma should be used before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a verb.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence and usually begins with a subordinating conjunction.

Front

How do you punctuate a sentence with two independent clauses?

Back

Use a comma before the coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) that connects the two independent clauses.

Front

What is an example of a sentence with a comma used correctly?

Back

I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain.

Front

What is an interruption in a sentence?

Back

An interruption is a word or phrase that adds information but is not essential to the main point of the sentence.

Front

How do you punctuate an interruption?

Back

Use commas before and after the interruption to set it off from the rest of the sentence.

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.