Although you will often see a comma between a name and. Student grammar and writing books student success grammar skills. Exxaammppllee i need to buy eggs milk lettuce and bread. The elements of an address or place name are separated by commas. A few basic rules for comma usage include the use of commas to separate independent clauses in a sentence and the use of commas after introductory clauses or phrases. Commas are used to connect the items in a list, except for the last two which are usually connected by a coordinating conjunction like and or or my favorite writers are charles dickens, emily bronte and jane austen. Before coordinating conjunctionsfor compound sentences use a comma before a coordinating conjunction for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so used to connect two independent clauses in a compound sentence ex. In fact, 8 of the 15 most misspelled words in there are on the american list of misspelled words.
A main clause is an independent clause that can stand alone by itself as a sentence. Commas usually indicate that there is a brief pause in the sentence. An independent clause is a group of words with a subject and verb that expresses a complete thought. The last two items in a list are usually connected by and.
Following an introductory clause or dependent clause at the beginning of a sentence. Rules for comma usage english writing, writing skills. As a rule of thumb, if the phrase is longer than about four words, use the comma. When an adverbial phrase begins a sentence, its often followed by a comma but it doesnt have to be, especially if its short. There are some general rules which you can apply when using the comma.
Punctuation english grammar today a reference to written and spoken english grammar and usage cambridge dictionary. Punctuation english grammar today cambridge dictionary. In british english, it is quite unusual to use a comma with and. A comma may also be used to separate two adjectives after the match, he took a hot, relaxing bath. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction and, but, yet, so, or nor, for when it joins two complete ideas independent clauses.
Before a coordinating conjunction and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet joining independent clauses in a sentence. The comma is absolutely required when two independent clauses are conjoined with a conjunction, as in these examples. When positioned correctly, the comma prevents misreadings, assisting the reader in understanding the meaning of a sentence and how its parts fit together. For more information on comma usage, see the writing centers commas handout. Another basic rule is the use of commas after introductory adverbs that begin a sentence. Use a comma before and after certain introductory words or terms, such as namely, that is, i. Understanding and consistently following the basic english grammar rules will help you speak and write english correctly and with minimal hesitation. The other animals in the farmyard, the rat, the geese, and the sheep, are amazed at charlottes masterful plan to save wilbur. A compound sentence is a sentence that has 2 independent clauses. If in doubt about whether or not to use a comma, read your sentence aloud and consider whether you need a. Use commas to separate three or more items in a list.
You can quickly see why punctuation is important if you try and read this text which has no punctuation at all. Advanced comma rules the comma is an important organizational tool for the writer that ultimately helps the reader. The rules provided here are those found in traditional handbooks. On december 12, 1890, orders were sent out for the arrest of sitting bull. Although we are often taught that commas are used to help us add breathing spaces to sentences they are, in fact, more accurately used to. This final comma is called a serial or oxford comma, because it used to be standard in.
Punctuation is used to create sense, clarity and stress in sentences. A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a main clause to a subordinate clause. The comma is a valuable, useful punctuation device because it separates the structural elements of sentences into manageable segments. You use punctuation marks to structure and organise your writing.
After each rule and example, add commas to the sentences where needed. A prescriptivists guide to common issues in english usage pop chartthis prescriptive chart addresses 50 common issues plaguing writers of all stripes and straitsproviding succinct usage rules and fun, popculturecentric example sentences for learning french or any other foreign language require methodology, perseverance and love. The basics commas, the peskiest of punctuation marks, have six main uses. They tell readers to pause between words or groups of words, and they help clarify the meanings of sentences. The sister told the brother of course i will pick you up. However, you will find that in english there are many other ways to use the comma to add to the meaning of a sentence or to emphasise an item, point, or meaning. Morton my english teacher says we have to learn how to use commas. My estate goes to my husband, son, daughterinlaw, and nephew. The crowd cheered happy birthday as the party started. Fanboys is an acronym, meaning each letter represents another word. Use a comma before a quotation when an introductory phrase with a word like say or reply precedes the quotation. Usage basic punctuation rules utah valley state college writing center correct punctuation is essential for clear and effective writing. The comma, is a punctuation mark that appears in several variants in different languages.
Keep in mind that items can be nouns, verbs, or adjectives. When a comma is not used correctly to write the date in english, it can be. Rules for comma usage english writing, teaching writing. Some typefaces render it as a small line, slightly curved or straight but inclined from the vertical, or with the appearance of a. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause. The students asked for a second chance to rewrite the exam, but the teacher did not grant it. Here are some clues to help you decide whether the sentence element is essential. Of course there are rules for when to use a comma and when it is not necessary to use one. There are lots of rules about comma usage, and often the factors that determine whether you should use one are quite subtle. This is because there are certain rules for using a comma with a date. We use commas to separate items in a series or list.
Because we dont use quoted material all the time, even when writing, this is probably the most difficult rule to remember in comma usage. In dates, the year is set off from the rest of the sentence with a pair of commas. Do not use a comma between adjectives that need to be in a particular order. Commas commas are used to separate parts of a sentence. Of all the punctuation marks in english, this one is perhaps the most abused and misused. Use commas to separate three or more items in a series. The two women, who had just caught a train to the city, were planning a day of shopping.
It is a good idea to find a page from an article that uses several quotations, photocopy that page, and keep it in front of you as a model when youre writing. The following conjunctions socalled coordinating conjunctions are used in such case. The comma, is very frequently used and very frequently used wrongly. In numbers more than four digits long, use commas to separate the numbers into groups of three, starting from the right. We are having peas and carrots roast beef and cake for dinner. However, commas are used differently depending on the situation. Many of the commonly misspelled words plaguing america also annoy uk writers. He says remember bob use commas before and after you address someone directly. In other words, a main clause does not need any additional information to operate as a sentence. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. Review the following independent clauses as an example of a common misreading due to a missing comma. The punctuation mark comma, has the following uses to connect the items in a list.
Without commas, a reader would often have to go back and reread a sentence to understand what the writer meant. Below, youll find guidance for the trickiest comma questions. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. The three musketeers were arthos, porthos and aramis. There are several types of punctuation marks in english, and each mark has its own usage rules. It has the same shape as an apostrophe or single closing quotation mark in many typefaces, but it differs from them in being placed on the baseline of the text.
Comma, this usually indicates a short pause when reading. Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet to join two independent clauses that form a compound sentence. Learn the rules associated with commas if you want to use them correctly. To divide items in a list or to separate a series of adjectives. Most newspapers and magazines drop the oxford comma in a simple series, apparently. Commas, uses of grammar and style in british english. Add commas to the following sentences where needed. In fact, the rules for using commas are really rather simple, though complicated by the fact. When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in the above example, it is known as the oxford comma. You can also use a comma with a shorter phrase when you want to emphasize it or add a pause for literary effect.
If you have a fast connection to the interneta t1 line available in most computer. After surviving this ordeal, the trapper felt relieved. Those are the basics of comma usage, but since the comma is one of the fundamental pieces of punctuation in english, theres much, much more. Use commas after introductory a clauses, b phrases, or c words that before the main clause. Lists of three or more words, phrases, and clauses require commas. Ready, set, go yelled the mom before the treasure hunt. A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a main clause to a. The following list contains some of the most critical punctuation rules. Fanboys use a comma and a coordinating conjunction for, and, nor, but, or, yet, soa. While there are no simple rules regarding the placement of comma with conjunctions, the following guidelines should help. The shopping list included bread, butter, oranges, potatoes and a jar of honey. Put a comma before and, but, for, or, nor, yet, and so when they connect two independent clauses. Here are the 11 most important rules of grammar to help you select words and punctuation.