✍️ English Grammar and Writing · Punctuation
Comma Rules flashcards
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All 17 flashcards at a glance
Card 1
What is the serial comma, and what does this site do?
The comma before the final and or or in a list of three or more items. This site uses it: We sold cookies, brownies, and lemonade. Style guides differ, and newspaper (AP) style usually leaves it out.
Card 2
Does a list of two items take a comma?
No. Two items joined by and or or take no comma: tea or coffee. Commas begin with three items.
Card 3
What does FANBOYS stand for?
For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. These are the seven coordinating conjunctions.
Card 4
When does a comma go before a FANBOYS word?
When the word joins two independent clauses: Leo wanted to leave early, but his ride was late. Exception: no comma when it joins only two verbs or two phrases.
Card 5
Does this need a comma before and: Priya grabbed her coat and left.
No. Priya is the only subject, and it has two verbs, grabbed and left. A comma goes before and only when it joins two independent clauses.
Card 6
What is an independent clause?
A group of words with a subject and a verb that makes a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.
Card 7
What is a dependent clause? Name some signal words.
A group of words with a subject and a verb that cannot stand alone. Signal words include because, when, if, although, who, and that.
Card 8
Where does the comma go in Although it was cold we played outside.
After cold: Although it was cold, we played outside. A comma follows an introductory dependent clause. When a time or condition clause comes second (We played outside until it got dark), there is usually no comma. A contrast clause that starts with although often keeps one: We played outside, although it was cold.
Card 9
When may you skip the comma after an introductory element?
That is a convention, and style guides differ on how short is short. This site teaches that a short introductory phrase (about three or four words or fewer) may skip the comma when the sentence is still clear, as in By noon we were hungry. The comma is always safe, and an opening dependent clause takes it.
Card 10
What is the test for a nonessential clause?
Cross it out. If the sentence still identifies the same person or thing, the clause is nonessential, and you set it off with commas.
Card 11
Which word begins essential clauses about things, and which begins nonessential ones?
In standard American formal writing, that begins essential clauses (no commas), and which begins nonessential clauses (with commas). Who can begin either kind when you are talking about people.
Card 12
What are coordinate adjectives, and how do you test them?
Adjectives that each describe the noun on their own. Try putting and between them and swapping them. If the tests work, use a comma: a loud, crowded hallway. If they disagree, trust the and test.
Card 13
What are cumulative adjectives? Give an example.
Adjectives that build on each other in a set order, with no comma: five red balloons. They fail both the and test and the swap test.
Card 14
How do you punctuate direct address?
Set off the name of the person spoken to: Dr. Park, your results are ready. Exception: no commas when the name is only a subject, as in Eli called.
Card 15
What is a comma splice, and what are three fixes?
Two independent clauses joined with only a comma. Fix it with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a FANBOYS conjunction.
Card 16
May a single comma ever separate a subject from its verb?
No. Only a pair of commas around extra information may stand between them: Eli, who was late, ran.
Card 17
Why does however need a semicolon when it joins two independent clauses?
Because however is not a coordinating conjunction. A comma plus however still makes a splice. Write a semicolon before it and a comma after it. (When however only interrupts one clause, as in Our coach, however, stayed calm., commas are right.)