Comma Review

Front

What is the purpose of a comma in a sentence?

Back

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

Front

When should you use a comma before a conjunction?

Back

A comma should be used before a conjunction (like 'and', 'but', 'or') when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

Is this sentence correct? 'My brother, who is a doctor lives in New York.'

Back

Incorrect. There should be a comma after 'doctor': 'My brother, who is a doctor, lives in New York.'

Front

What is a list comma?

Back

A list comma is used to separate items in a series, e.g., 'I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.'

Front

When do you use commas with adjectives?

Back

Use commas to separate two or more adjectives that equally describe a noun, e.g., 'It was a long, tiring journey.'

Front

Is this sentence correct? 'The dog, barked loudly.'

Back

Incorrect. The comma is unnecessary: 'The dog barked loudly.'

Front

What is a non-restrictive clause?

Back

A non-restrictive clause adds extra information to a sentence and is set off by commas, e.g., 'My car, which is red, is fast.'

Front

When should you not use a comma?

Back

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

Front

Is this sentence correct? 'I enjoy reading cooking and traveling.'

Back

Incorrect. It should be: 'I enjoy reading, cooking, and traveling.'

Front

What is the Oxford comma?

Back

The Oxford comma is the final comma in a list of items, used before 'and' or 'or', e.g., 'I like apples, bananas, and cherries.'