Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by conjunctions. The brown fluffy large dog ran across the street. 2. USE COMMAS WITH DATES, ADDRESSES, TITLES, AND NUMBERS. Those are called conjunctions. Or to separate days of the week and the date. Use a … The comma separates the structural elements of a sentence into manageable segments. Today is a national holiday. Use a comma to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series. Last but not least, use a comma to separate three or more items. Learn English idioms with …. I personally think this is completely unnecessary, but what do I know. A Final Thought… Sometimes, even after you apply all these rules, you still find yourself with a tangled sentence that needs some commas to straighten itself out. STUDY. I just like to keep it simple. Learn the definition, meaning, and …, Collocations in English! 1.. Learn. Commas (Eight Basic Uses) USE A COMMA TO SEPARATE INDEPENDENT CLAUSES. And no, one does not involve putting a comma in when you naturally pause. Comma Rules! Use a semi-colon in place of the comma and conjunction to separate the two independent clauses in a compound sentence. Rules of Comma Usage 1. USE COMMAS TO SET OFF NONRESTRICTIVE CLAUSES. Semi-Colon Rules: 1. Match. Rule 8: Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer back to the beginning or middle of the sentence. 1. A comma (,) is a punctuation mark used to denote a pause in the sentence (shorter than a colon or a semicolon). (A comma is necessary before the last ‘ and .’) Example: The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. Maybe if you are transcribing speech… but even then there’s a 99.9% chance that’s incorrect placing. Example: My estate … You might care about this, you might not. And no, one does not involve putting a comma in when you naturally pause. Additional Example: “Oops,” he breathed heavily walking into the kitchen, “I’ll remember next time I promise.”. 1. Section 1 : Lists of three or more. (A comma is necessary before the last ‘and.’). The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. Aim: What are the rules of using commas? In 1994, 3 of Madonna's songs reached the top ten in the music charts. While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door. use a comma to indicate direct address. A: Use a comma to separate two sentences joined by for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. 8. Use a comma after a dependent clause when it comes before the independent clause. Example: 1. You have the option of putting a comma after an introductory element. Most people have no clue there are eight comma rules. commas (eight basic uses) use a comma to separate independent clauses. 1. 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. He went by DC for Danger Cat though. Dependent clauses are incomplete (or incomplete thoughts) that cannot function on their own. Get a clear picture of when to use commas by exploring their usage through examples. Put a comma to separate quotes. Cleo, and her band will be playing at Dockside Diner next Friday. Basically, I also feel very confident in English grammar rules and I originally thought that in Chinese the rules for commas don't differ so much. I think of punctuation as a way to help a reader to group words so that they convey the writer’s meaning—just as mathmatical symbols show how to group and deal with numbers to get the right answer. (a series of nouns) For more information, see page 1378, line 30. PLAY. John said without emotion, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”. I, too, like bananas. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off transition words and phrases as well as clauses that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Nancy waved enthusiastically at the docking ship, laughing joyously. Comma rules can be confusing. The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave. Such phrases are free modifiers that can be placed anywhere in the sentence without causing confusing. Commas and periods are the most frequently used punctuation marks. format) there are no commas: I had arrived in Durham on 21 May 2004. It’s okay, I don’t judge your grammar errors. Lake, MD, will be the principal speaker. Flashcards. Commas are used to separate a sentence’s elements, to connect independent clauses, to avoid confusion, and much more. (If the placement of the modifier causes confusion, then it is not "free" and must remain "bound" to the word it modifies.) USE A COMMA BETWEEN ALL ITEMS IN A SERIES. Remember dependent clauses? A comma simply adds emphasis. use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses. The Introductory Comma. Use a comma to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names. NOTE: Do not use a comma if the order is reversed (the independent clause comes before the dependent clause), except for cases of extreme contrast. In this case, however, you seem to have over-exerted yourself. Laughing joyously, Lisa waved at Nancy. 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: Joe has seven chickens, but Jack has three.• Ex: I asked you to repeat tha 5. Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer to the beginning or middle of the sentence. Gravity. The 8 Comma Rules. D. Commas with Names, Places, Addresses and Correspondences. That One Time When Completely Giving Up Gave Me a Way Out, 7 areas of disagreement between Republicans and Democrats on the stimulus package. The five largest… Read more about using commas. Example: The bearded man, Ron Swanson, stores bacon in various parts of his office. The rules for commas are many and varied. Quick Guide to Commas Ex: On December 12, 1890, orders were sent out for the arrest of Sitting Bull. Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England. 2.. George Washington was born on February 22 1732. I appreciate your hard work. In all actuality, I have comma fever. USE A COMMA AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY CLAUSE OR PHRASE. A zip 1. 16 Rules of Commas 1. When writing dates, we use the listing comma according to the following rules: 1. A dependent clause provides additional information about the independent clause and establishes the relationship of this information to the independent clause. But often Chinese people asked me why I would always use so many 句号 (。). David, John, and Joshua had the opportunity to play golf over the long weekend. Thank you for your time, your support, and for being a part of my journey! I like bananas, too. 8. use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase. But she can’t understand what I’m saying anyway. This article covers one case of using commas – in dates. Comma UseUse commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. Hopefully you know this one by now. Example: “I told you to rinse the dishes in the sink because you tend to let milk dry,” she yelled from the kitchen to his office. On the other hand, sometimes your prose becomes confused because you have too many commas. These ones are typically a bit more challenging because with them comes that annoying party girl that “whoos” loudly when they’ve had too much to drink. You should also know this one. Use a comma after transition words and phrases that begin a sentence: however, therefore, on the other hand, for example, etc. To George, Harrison had been a sort of idol. Use a comma to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so [FAN BOYS]. There really are only eight! Rachel B. B: Use a comma to separate items in a list. How to Use Comma before Too Using a comma before “too” is optional. (extreme contrast). She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar. So here. Here, we offer a brief, basic guide to using commas correctly. 1. ColonelSanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, first owned this house. Use Commas With Lists. Such phrases are free modifiers that can be placed anywhere in the sentence without causing confusion. She was late for class because her alarm clock was broken. 2. Additionally, what are the 8 rules for commas? The serial comma. Example: When I was younger, I had a cat named Whiskers the Magical Cat. I didn’t learn what a dependent clause was until it was an age that brought embarrassment. English Grammar: The Gender of Nouns in English, TOO and ENOUGH: How to Use Too and Enough in English, English Tenses: Present Perfect Simple vs. Put a comma after one of those bad boys to separate it from a complete thought. Exercise: Insert commas where necessary in the following sentences. Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) that links two independent clauses. Use a comma in your dates to separate date and year. It works well if someone is pausing and you are quoting direct speech while trying to get a meaning across. They might be missing a verb or a subject. If it covers more than one of these rules, I go with my gut on which rule takes higher precedence. Yes. Created by. I love commas. How to punctuate dates properly General rules . There really are only eight! (To remember this easily, memorize the mnemonic device, “fanboys.”) Example: I wanted to come to the party, but I had to work late. 1. FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR, YET, SO (FANBOYS). Write. Any bit of information unnecessary to the conversation is separated in commas.
If you are referencing a day of the week and a date, use a comma: When you are referencing only a month and year, you don’t need a comma. Consequently, most stores are closed. Commas provide clarity, particularly in sentences that contain several different elements.
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