Commas

Front

What is a comma?

Back

A comma is a punctuation mark (,) used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence or to separate items in a list.

Front

When should you use a comma before 'but'?

Back

A comma should be used before 'but' when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

What is the Oxford comma?

Back

The Oxford comma, also known as the serial comma, is the final comma in a list of items, placed before 'and' or 'or'.

Front

How do you use commas in a list?

Back

Commas are used to separate items in a list, for example: 'I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.'

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, e.g., 'After dinner, we went for a walk.'

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

Where should commas be placed in dates?

Back

Commas should be placed after the day and after the year in a full date, e.g., 'I was born on June 20, 1979, in Bloomington, Illinois.'

Front

What is the rule for using commas with adjectives?

Back

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

Front

When should you not use a comma?

Back

Do not use a comma when the items in a list are joined by 'and' or 'or' without needing separation, e.g., 'I like apples and oranges.'

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 brother, who lives in New York, is visiting.'