There are four types of comma: the listing comma, the joining comma, the gapping comma and bracketing commas.
What are the 4 rules of commas?
To better understand the use of the comma, begin by learning the following eight basic uses:
- USE A COMMA TO SEPARATE INDEPENDENT CLAUSES.
- USE A COMMA AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY CLAUSE OR PHRASE.
- USE A COMMA BETWEEN ALL ITEMS IN A SERIES.
- USE COMMAS TO SET OFF NONRESTRICTIVE CLAUSES.
- USE A COMMA TO SET OFF APPOSITIVES.
What are examples of comma?
Example: My teacher, however, did not believe my excuse. or My teacher did not believe my excuse, however. 2. Lists This comma rule applies to sentences where a series or list of items is given: Example: I went to the store to buy milk, eggs, and bread. or I went to the store to buy milk, eggs and bread.
What are the 3 rules for commas?
Since I made such a stink about it, let’s start with this rule:
- Use a comma between items in a series or list.
- Use a comma between two independent clauses separated by a conjunction.
- Use a comma between two adjectives preceding a noun.
- Your Mission.
What is a comma a type of?
A comma is a punctuation mark that represents a short pause and is used to divide parts of a sentence. A comma usually resembles a dot with a tail (,) and is placed at the bottom of a line of text or writing.
Can you use 4 commas in a sentence?
In short, yes. If you’re asking this question, chances are it’s because the comma sticks out unnecessarily from the rest of the sentence.
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 identify a comma in a sentence?
Comma Check
- Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction that links two independent clauses.
- Use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence.
- Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence.
- Use commas to separate items in a series.
- Use a comma after introductory adverbs.
What does a comma look like?
A comma (pronounced “cah-muh”) is a punctuation mark that looks like a period with a tail (,) or a low apostrophe. Commas provide pauses in reading and speaking by separating parts of a sentence. You’ll find examples of commas in all sorts of sentences below.
How comma is used in English?
A comma is needed in a sentence before the conjunctions and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so to separate the two independent clauses. E.g. She loved reading, so she spent every Sunday afternoon at the library.
Can you have 2 commas in a sentence?
Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause.
Why do people put 2 commas?
Use two commas to set off an appositive or an aside in the midst of a sentence. An appositive is a word or phrase that describes a noun it follows. An aside tells us something about the noun, but is not essential to defining the noun.
What is an unnecessary comma called?
Except after an introductory dependent clause, do not use a comma to separate a dependent clause from a main clause unless the dependent clause provides nonessential information. See also Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Modifiers.
What are the 8 types of commas?
Commas (Eight Basic Uses)
- Use a comma to separate independent clauses.
- Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase.
- Use a comma between all items in a series.
- Use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses.
- Use a comma to set off appositives.
- Use a comma to indicate direct address.
- Use commas to set off direct quotations.
What is the difference between comma and comma?
‘Commata’ is the plural of ‘comma’, and if the ‘cola’ or colons were the sections of Jerome’s sentences, the ‘commata’ or commas were its subsections.
What are the 7 primary uses of a comma?
Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. Example: I love vanilla ice cream, but my brother prefers chocolate. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.
What does 4 dots after a sentence mean?
Ellipsis points are periods in groups of usually three, or sometimes four. They signal either that something has been omitted from quoted text, or that a speaker or writer has paused or trailed off in speech or thought.
What do multiple commas mean?
Here’s the rule as written in The Chicago Manual of Style: “Whenever a comma is placed before an element to set it off from the surrounding text … a second comma is required if the phrase or sentence continues beyond the element being set off.”
How many commas is too many?
When a sentence has more than three commas, there’s a good chance that it’s too complicated. Most long and fancy sentences are more enjoyable to read when you break them into two shorter ones.
What is the first comma rule?
Rule 1: Use a comma after an introductory clause. Example. When he had tired of the mad pace of New York, he moved to Dubuque. Omit the comma if no ambiguity would result unless it would slow comprehension. Examples.
What is the main function of comma?
The comma functions as a tool to indicate to readers a certain separation of words, phrases, or ideas in order to prevent misreading the writer’s intended meaning. When a sentence is spoken aloud, a comma often represents a pause, which in verbal conversation functions to clarify meaning.