Commas

Front

What is the primary function of commas 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 after an introductory phrase?

Back

A comma should be used after an introductory phrase to separate it from the main clause of the sentence.

Front

How do you correctly punctuate a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence should be punctuated with a comma before the coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) that connects two independent clauses.

Front

What is the rule for using commas in a list?

Back

Commas are used to separate three or more items in a list, and a comma is typically placed before the conjunction in the last item (Oxford comma).

Front

When should you use commas with adjectives?

Back

Commas should be used to separate coordinate adjectives that equally modify a noun, but not for cumulative adjectives that build on each other.

Front

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

Back

An example is: 'Let's eat, Grandma.' vs. 'Let's eat Grandma.' The comma clarifies that you are addressing Grandma, not suggesting to eat her.

Front

How do you use commas with non-essential clauses?

Back

Non-essential clauses should be set off with commas because they provide additional information that can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence.

Front

What is the difference between essential and non-essential clauses?

Back

Essential clauses are necessary for the meaning of the sentence and are not set off by commas, while non-essential clauses add extra information and are set off by commas.

Front

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

Back

A comma should be used before 'and' in a series if you are using the Oxford comma, which is optional but often recommended for clarity.

Front

What is the rule for using commas with direct address?

Back

When directly addressing someone in a sentence, a comma should be used to separate the name or title from the rest of the sentence.