Punctuation Rules Flashcards

Front

What is the process to solve punctuation questions?

Back

1) Look at the answer choices first!

2) Plan out all your steps just from the answer choices (make sure you know what you need to look for in the passage)

3) Look for that in the passage (do comma jumping: start at the beginning of the sentence and as soon as you realize what you’re reading is additional info, jump to the next comma)

4) Make sure you 100% understand the structure of the sentence before you select the answer

Front

What are all sentences made of?

Back

One independent clause and non-essential elements attached with commas.

Front

How do you find an independent clause?

Back

Look for 3 things: a subject, one main verb, and there's no dependent clause starter.

A main verb is the action the subject does

Tip: The subject is always right before the main verb in the independent clause

Front

How do you know something is a non-essential element?

Back

Make sure there's a chance it's actually additional information. Then, remove it from the sentence and if the sentence still makes sense, it's a non-essential element. (Also make sure it doesn't start with "that")

Front

How do you know a Colon is correct?

Back

If there's

1. an independent clause before and

2. an expanded thought after (this has to be its own thought)

Front

How do you know a Period is correct?

Back

If there's an independent clause before and after.

Front

How do you know a comma+FANBOYS is correct.

Back

If there's an independent clause before and after.

Front

How do you know a semicolon is correct?

Back

Look for 1 of these:

1. semicolon list: it's separating items in a list

2. independent clause before and after

Front

How do you know an Isolated Comma (comma without a fanboys after it) is correct?

Back

Look for 1 of these:

1. Attaching unnecessary additional information

2. Comma list: Separating items in a list.

Front

What is the purpose of the priority list?

Back

It tells you the order you check your answers in