Commas commas are used to separate parts of a sentence. Understanding and consistently following the basic english grammar rules will help you speak and write english correctly and with minimal hesitation. A test to show understanding of the 8 basic rules of comma usage. The comma is used to signify a slight pause in a sentence. One simple trick i share with my students is that if they read a sentence out loud, they will hear themselves momentarily pause. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. If you have a fast connection to the interneta t1 line available in most computer lab situations, cable modem, or. Phd, molecular genetics and microbiology duke university. She put down the phone, picked up her keys, and left. Understanding these comma basics is the key to correct comma usage. Commas eight basic uses to better understand the use of the comma, begin by learning the following eight basic uses.
Comma usage in lists separate items in a series with commas. Here are the 11 most important rules of grammar to help you select words and punctuation. If in doubt about whether or not to use a comma, read your. Commas indicate that introductory words and phrases moved from the end of the sentence. She asked for a new skirt, a necklace, and a sweater for her birthday. An emdash the longest of the three dashes can be used for many of the same purposes as a comma. Sometimes that word is the name of the person you are talking to. Those who love grammar usually appreciate the logic of its rules. After each rule and example, add commas to the sentences where. 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. Follow these 6 basic punctuation rules and they will help you to write more clearly and effectively.
Nov 28, 2014 what are the comma rules of english grammar. There are lots of rules about comma usage, and often the factors that determine whether you should use one are quite subtle. In dates, the year is set off from the rest of the sentence with a pair of commas. For more information on comma usage, see the writing centers commas handout. Exxaammppllee i need to buy eggs milk lettuce and bread. Noottee usage of a comma to separate the second to last from the last item is optional. Add commas to the following sentences where needed. Go up two flights of stairs, turn right, walk to the end of the hall, and. 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. An independent clause is a group of words with a subject and verb that expresses a. If comma usage is one of the banes of your writing existence, then this handout is for you. Worse, mistakes in punctuation can make you seem less knowledgeable. The following list contains some of the most critical punctuation rules.
The comma separates the structural elements of a sentence into manageable segments. We cannot say that the comma will always come before the conjunction. They tell readers to pause between words or groups of. Students will learn when and when not to use a comma. The topics of these rules are nouns and pronouns, verbs. I have also incorporated comma memesjokes that apply to a couple of the rules to keep students entertained. Sometimes writers break common rules and use punctuation in their own way, mostly in order to emphasize a particular part, to slow down or speed up particular events, to express tension, etc. Subjects in the program of study include english, math, and psychology. Usage basic punctuation rules utah valley state college writing center correct punctuation is essential for clear and effective writing. The basics commas, the peskiest of punctuation marks, have six main uses. Basic grammar and usage, 8 edition pages 1 50 text.
A traditional paragraph contains a topic sentence that states the idea to be developed, plus additional sentences that develop the idea stated by the topic sentence. Each slide has a rule and one or two examples of using that particular rule in a sentence. Of all the punctuation marks in english, this one is perhaps the most abused and misused. Student grammar and writing books student success grammar ski. Fanboys use a comma and a coordinating conjunction for, and, nor, but, or, yet, soa. Go up two flights of stairs, turn right, walk to the end of the hall, and you will be there. Restrictive essential appositives do not require commas. Keep in mind that items can be nouns, verbs, or adjectives. Use a comma to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series. Use commas to separate items in a series of three or more. Commas are used after an introductory dependent clause a group of words before the subject of a sentence that do not form a complete sentence. Although there are a couple of flexible rules, most of the time commas belong in specific places. Proper comma usage shapes a text, makes it clear, better structured, emotional. The elements of an address or place name are separated by commas.
Even the most experienced writers have problems remembering all the rules. Jan 11, 2017 this video shows how to identify and recognize the seven mostcommon pieces of punctuation. Note that some style guides would not add the comma after the word eggs. By the time copies of basic grammar and usage reached harcourtbrace jovanovich in 1975, the text had already been used by more than 1,500students in nearly a dozen schools. A missing comma, or a comma in the wrong place, can confuse readers or even change the meaning. Here are some clues to help you decide whether the sentence element is essential. A comma is used to structure a sentence and helps the reader understand the meaning of the sentence. Four basic comma rules subjects in the program of study.
Between two full sentences independent clauses when two standalone sentences are joined by a comma, the result is known as a comma. Comma rules the following are the most common usages of. Use a comma in your dates to separate date and year. Here are some basic tips to resolve comma dilemmas that sometimes have us scratching our heads. H2 handbook of grammar, mechanics, and usage the following choices apply to items 1620. The serial comma is the last comma in a list, usually appearing before. A traditional paragraph contains a topic sentence that states the idea to be developed, plus additional sentences that develop the idea stated by the topic.
My brother and sisterinlaw are going to hawaii for two weeks, but i have no plans to travel. Questions involving these wordsphrases normally test meaning rather than grammar and will include the commas. Student grammar and writing books student success grammar skills. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause. Learn the basics of comma usage in this first of two lessons on the comma. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction and, but, yet, so.
Fanboys is an acronym, meaning each letter represents another word. The cake mix requires flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. The comma allows for a brief pause between separate parts of a sentence, a basic purpose that becomes more obvious if you read a passage aloud. My three favorite foods are pasta pizza and ice cream. The receptionist will admit you, the radiologist will xray you, the nurse will prepare you for surgery, and the surgeon will operate.
This is a video about some of the basic comma rules. I need to call sally tom brad and kelly about the party. In a simple series, use a comma to separate the elements, but dont put a comma before the conjunction. Some basic rules a comma separates a sentence into segments. For more information on comma usage, see the writing centers. The basics of comma usage there are many confusing rules about comma usage, and some conventions are up to the writer to decide. Commas after introductory elements first things first sentences often begin with a little something extra a word that doesnt quite flow with the rest of the sentence. Commas indicate a separation of ideas or elements within the structure of a sentence. Use a comma to separate two independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction. This probably the first use of commas you learned in school. As an esl teacher, i have seen commas misused in dozens of ways. The lack of a comma in the first version implies that overtime rules do not apply only to packing that is done for shipment or distribution of particular food types in contrast, the comma in the second version implies that overtime rules do not apply to either packing or distribution of particular food types in this case, its a significant distinction.
The other animals in the farmyard, the rat, the geese, and the sheep, are amazed at charlottes masterful plan to save wilbur. Some words go together and dont need a comma between them even though they do make up a series. The comma is a valuable, useful punctuation device because it separates the structural elements of sentences into manageable segments. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction and, but, yet, so, or nor, for when it joins two complete ideas independent clauses. 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. You can go shopping with me, or you can go to a movie alone. Use commas to separate items in a series of three or more 2. Review the following independent clauses as an example of a common misreading due to a missing comma. The following guidelines, condensed mostly from the chicago. Just commas is an easytouse guide that includes examples, explanations, and practice exercises to help you master comma usage. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases,prepositional and words that are not essential to the meaning of the. Studies have show that learning through the use of visuals is much more effective in retaining information than text alone. When two sentences are joined by a coordinating conjunction, use a comma before the conjunction. In addition to being a classroom text, basic grammar andusage can be used in writing labs and for individual tutoring.
According to wilbur, good friends who write well are not easy to find. Commas are used to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses sentence parts in a series. To better understand the use of the comma, begin by learning the following eight basic uses. If there is ever any doubt, however, use the comma, as it is always correct in this situation. They tell readers to pause between words or groups of words, and they help clarify the meanings of sentences. Use commas to set off any word of phrase that is not essential to the main idea of the sentence 3.
One of the most frequent errors in comma usage is the placement of a comma after a coordinating conjunction. We cannot say that the comma will always come before the conjunction and never after, but it would be a rare event, indeed, that we need to follow a coordinating conjunction with a comma. An independent clause is a group of words with a subject and verb that expresses a complete thought. Unfortunately, the only way to defeat this scourge of grammatical correctness is to know your comma usage rules. The rules provided here are those found in traditional handbooks. Use a comma before a quotation when an introductory phrase with a word like say or reply precedes the quotation. The chicago manual of style recommends using the serial comma to avoid confusion.
He walked down the street, and then he turned the corner. I need to buy milk, sugar, and bread when i go to the store later. Basic grammar and usage presents material in small segments so that students can master a particular topic one step at a time. Subjects in the program of study include english, math, and. A compound sentence is a sentence that has 2 independent clauses. On december 12, 1890, orders were sent out for the arrest of sitting bull.
Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet to join two independent clauses that form a compound sentence. When positioned correctly, the comma prevents misreadings, assisting the reader in understanding the meaning of a sentence and how its parts fit together. The following guidelines, condensed mostly from the chicago manual of style 14 th ed. However, 12 basic rules serve as the foundation of english grammar. Put a comma after a word or group of words that comes before an independent clause four basic comma rules. In this lesson, you will learn 8 important rules for using comma in english. The test is made up of 6 paragraphs of text excerpts from essays on shakespeares julius caesar and hamlet.
There are many confusing rules about comma usage, and some conventions are up to the writer to decide. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction for, and, nor, but, or. Note that the ap style used for journalists in newspapers omits the serial. Do not use a comma between adjectives that need to be in a particular order. Although basic grammar and usage is designed for students whose nativelanguage is english, it has been used successfully by students learning english asa second language. Rules for commas are vague, and they are impossible to figure out. Write in each blank the letter of the choice that best describes the sentence structure problem with each item. A visual guide to commas presents basic comma usage through visuals. When a word or phrase forms an introduction to a sentence, you should follow it with a comma, as recommended by purdue owl. Another basic rule is the use of commas after introductory adverbs that begin a sentence. Use commas to separate three or more items in a list.
Use a comma to separate independent clauses complete sentences when you use a coordinating conjunction. So lets take a look at a few of the most common ways to use commas. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction and, but, yet, so, or nor, for when it. This powerpoint has nine common comma rules for teaching the basics of comma usage. Put a comma between independent clauses when they are joined by these transitional words 4.
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