What can commas be used for?

What can commas be used for?

A comma marks a slight break between different parts of a sentence. Used properly, commas make the meaning of sentences clear by grouping and separating words, phrases, and clauses.

What are the 5 primary uses of a comma?

Separating the main elements of a sentence from each other. Setting off a parenthetical element from the rest of the sentence. Separating elements in a series. Setting off dialogs or quotations.

How do you teach commas?

Before you teach how to use commas, you need to review the rules for correct comma usage.

1. Use commas to separate items in a series.
2. Use commas after introductory words or mild interjections.
3. Use commas to set off words of direct address.
4. Use commas to set off one or more words that interrupt the flow of a sentence.

What are the 3 comma rules?

COMMA RULE #3 – THE COMMA IN A COMPOUND SENTENCE: Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet to join two independent clauses that form a compound sentence. What is a compound sentence?

What are the two comma rules?

2. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause. a. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while.

Do you use a comma when listing 3 things?

Use commas to separate three or more items in a series. Lists of three or more words, phrases, and clauses require commas between each item. For example: a. The fox shouts, cackles, and yells.

Do you use a comma when listing two things?

Commas with Two List Items. When there are two items in a list, don’t use a comma to separate the list items (unless it helps your reader). For example: Please buy bread and milk.

What are commas examples?

Rule 1. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. Example: My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew. Note: When the last comma in a series comes before and or or (after daughter-in-law in the above example), it is known as the Oxford comma.

Can simple sentences have commas?

Simple sentences A simple sentence contains only one independent clause and no dependent clauses. When a simple sentence contains a conjunction, you might be tempted to insert a comma before the conjunction, as you do with a compound sentence. With a simple sentence, however, the general rule is to omit the comma.

What is comma in sentence?

What Is a Comma? While a period ends a sentence, a comma indicates a smaller break. Some writers think of a comma as a soft pause—a punctuation mark that separates words, clauses, or ideas within a sentence.

Can a simple sentence have two subjects?

A simple sentence contains one independent clause. A compound sentence contains more than one! Put another way: a simple sentence contains a subject and a predicate, but a compound sentence contains more than one subject and more than one predicate.

What makes up a simple sentence?

A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb, and it may also have an object and modifiers. However, it contains only one independent clause.

How do we use simple sentences?

Using simple sentences

1. Method. Use simple sentences to communicate clearly. Use simple sentences make important points.
2. Example. The service is expensive. I love you.
3. Discussion. A simple sentence is made up of a single clause. The cat sat on the mat.
4. See also. Using compound sentences.

Why do we use simple sentences?

There are several reasons for using simple sentences. For example, a series of short simple sentences used together may be used to create tension, as in this extract: ‘We rounded the corner. Short, simple sentences can make their meaning clear, easily.

What are the 10 sentence patterns?

The students (SUBJECT = NOUN PHRASE) || gave (VERB) the professor (INDIRECT OBJECT = NOUN PHRASE) their homework (DIRECT OBJECT = NOUN PHRASE). The students (SUBJECT = NOUN PHRASE) || consider (VERB) the teacher intelligent (ADJECTIVE).