Commas Commas Commas!

Front

What is the purpose of commas in a sentence?

Back

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

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

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.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence because it has a subject and a verb.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and usually begins with a subordinating conjunction (like 'because', 'although').

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

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.'

Tags

CCSS.L.1.2C

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.7.2A

Front

What is a non-essential clause?

Back

A non-essential clause adds extra information to a sentence but can be removed without changing the sentence's meaning. It is set off by commas.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Front

What is an essential clause?

Back

An essential clause provides information that is necessary to understand the meaning of the sentence and is not set off by commas.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Front

How do you punctuate direct address in a sentence?

Back

When directly addressing someone, use commas to separate their name from the rest of the sentence, e.g., 'Let's eat, Grandma!'

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

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

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

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.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A