Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Commas
Eight Rules for Comma Use
8
English
9th Grade
10/27/2010

Additional English Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
conjunctions
Definition

Place a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, or, but, nor, so, for, yet) joining two or more independent clauses.

 

Model sentence: I was going to go to the party, but I fell asleep while watching television.

Term
lists
Definition

Place a comma between all of the items in a list.

 

Model sentence: She shopped for paper plates, napkins, cups, and plastic spoons.

Term
dialogue tags
Definition

Place a comma directly after tags or phrases preceding direct quotations.

 

Model sentence: The author of the best-selling novel declared, “I can’t wait to start working on my next book.”

Term
dates, etc.
Definition

Place a comma between dates, addresses, and titles:

 

Model sentence: Robert Smith, PhD, received his doctoral degree on May 14, 2007.

Term
appositives
Definition

Set off nonrestrictive appositives and nonessential phrases and clauses by placing a comma on both sides. (Do not use commas with restrictive appositives such as the poet Robert Frost.)

 

Model sentence: Will’s girlfriend, Halle [nonrestrictive appositive], whom he has dated for two years [nonessential clause], doesn’t know how to drive.

Term
conjunctive adverbs
Definition

Place a comma directly after conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases, such as however, also, then, therefore, for instance, in conclusion, in fact, and for example.

 

Model sentence: In fact, the black shoes are handcrafted in Italy.

Term
introductory clauses
Definition

Use a comma after an introductory adverbial clause or a prepositional phrase.

 

Model sentence: Under the decaying front porch, we discovered a box filled with books and old letters.

Term
quotations
Definition

Place a comma within (before) the end quotation mark of a direct quote preceding a tag (unless the quote ends with a question mark or an exclamation point).

 

Model sentence: “I’m going on vacation next week,” said Tanya.

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