Commas and Semicolons

Front

What is a comma?

Back

A punctuation mark (,) used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence or to separate items in a list.

Front

What is a semicolon?

Back

A punctuation mark (;) used to connect closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list.

Front

When should you use a comma before a conjunction?

Back

Use a comma before a conjunction (like 'and' or 'but') when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

A group of words that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a verb.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence and usually begins with a subordinating conjunction.

Front

What punctuation is used to separate items in a list?

Back

Commas are used to separate items in a list.

Front

What is the purpose of a semicolon in a sentence?

Back

To connect two independent clauses that are closely related in thought.

Front

When is it appropriate to use no punctuation?

Back

When the sentence structure does not require a pause or separation between clauses.

Front

What is a conjunctive adverb?

Back

A word that connects two independent clauses and shows the relationship between them, often requiring a semicolon before it.

Front

Example of a sentence using a comma correctly:

Back

I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.