Commas Commas Commas!

Front

What is the primary purpose of using commas in a sentence?

Back

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

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.4.2C

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.6.2A

CCSS.L.4.2C

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a verb.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Front

Provide an example of a correct use of commas in a list.

Back

Example: I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.2A

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.1.2C

Front

What is a non-restrictive clause?

Back

A non-restrictive clause adds extra information to a sentence but is not essential to its meaning and is usually set off by commas.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

CCSS.L.6.2A

Front

How do you punctuate a sentence with a non-restrictive clause?

Back

You place commas before and after the non-restrictive clause.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

CCSS.L.6.2A

Front

What is the rule for using commas with introductory phrases?

Back

A comma should be used after an introductory phrase or clause that precedes the main clause.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.4.2C

Front

When is it unnecessary to use a comma in a sentence?

Back

It is unnecessary to use a comma when connecting two items in a compound subject or predicate.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.4.2C

Front

What is the Oxford comma?

Back

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

Tags

CCSS.L.7.2A

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.1.2C

Front

When should you not use a comma before 'and' in a list?

Back

You should not use a comma before 'and' when there are only two items in the list.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.2A

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.1.2C