Commas

Front

What is the purpose of a comma in a sentence?

Back

Commas are used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence, to separate items in a list, and to clarify meaning.

Front

When should you use a comma before 'and' in a list?

Back

A comma should be used before 'and' in a list of three or more items to separate the last item from the rest.

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence is a sentence that contains at least two independent clauses joined by a conjunction, often requiring a comma before the conjunction.

Front

How do you punctuate a sentence with multiple actions?

Back

Use commas to separate the actions when listing them in a sentence, e.g., 'I ran, jumped, and played.'

Front

What is an example of a sentence that needs a comma for clarity?

Back

'Let's eat, Grandma!' vs. 'Let's eat Grandma!' The first sentence invites Grandma to eat, while the second suggests eating Grandma.

Front

What is the rule for using commas with introductory phrases?

Back

Use a comma after an introductory phrase or clause to separate it from the main clause.

Front

How do you use commas with adjectives?

Back

Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun, e.g., 'It was a long, tiring day.'

Front

What is a non-essential clause?

Back

A non-essential clause adds extra information to a sentence but is not necessary for its meaning; it should be set off by commas.

Front

When should you not use a comma?

Back

Do not use a comma to separate a subject from its verb or to separate a verb from its object.

Front

What is the Oxford comma?

Back

The Oxford comma is the final comma in a list of items, placed before 'and' or 'or'; its use is often debated.