Comma Flashcards
When to use commas
English Writing
Introductory parts such as
Clauses
List of item’s
Introductory phrases or words examples
Scene setter:
Trembling with fear, the children opened the door.
One the afternoon, they set off…
Undeterred, they left…
Suddenly, it started to snow.
To join Clauses
We had dinner, did the dishes and went out.
Next year I want to take my exam, start a new job & get married
Today I washed the dishes, cleaned the house and got dinner ready.
Getting comma wrong can change meaning
Do not dunk your bread or roll in your coffee.
Bread roll.
Do not dunk your bread, or roll in your coffee.
You roll.
Commas for lists
Can be verbs, adverbs, nouns or adjectives.
The acrobat jumped, twisted, turned and tumbled.
Go there quietly, quickly, and directly.
The recipe requires rice, peppers and cream.
I’ll have a glass of cool, light, tasty juice.
Commas separate quoted and unquoted text.
My doctor told me, “I have good news.”
“I have good news”, my doctor told me.
“I have”, my doctor told me, “good news for you.”
Commas separate non-restrictive clauses from the main sentence.
The info between clauses is extra/additional info. The sentence would still make sense without it.
My friend, Habib, likes to talk.
My friend, who lives in Spain, has a new car.
My friend who lives in Spain has a new car.
In last example, it’s no longer a non-restrictive clause. It’s a restrictive clause, essential to distinguish from other friends living elsewhere.
Comma to separate dependent and independent clauses when sentence begins with a dependent clause.
Since you’re all here, we might as well start.
We might as well start since you’re all here.
‘we might as well start’ - independent clause
Beginning part is a dependent clause.
Dependent clause doesn’t stand on its own.
When B gets here, we will make a move.
We will make a move when B gets here.
Commas are used in tag questions.
They seperate the statement from the tag part.
This is a tag question, isn’t it?
Before comma is a statement. After comma is a tag. Comma separates the two.
You’ll be home soon, won’t you?
He hasn’t booked his space yet, has he?
Dreadful weather today, isn’t it?
Commas separate a direct address from the rest of the sentence.
Habibati, get out of bed!
Are you, Saleem, ever going to go?
How are you feeling today, habibati?
Call me, loser, if you can.
If commas are omitted, the meaning changes.
Call me loser if you can.
Commas used for dates for clarity.
Comma separate numbers or words next to each other, but not consecutively.
On March 21, 1792, someone was born.
First comma separates numbers for clarity, second one is to seperate an introductory phrase.
Someone was born on March 21, 1792.
Without Introductory phrase.
The meeting was on Monday, January 7, 2019.
Mon and Jan words seperated with comma, numbers also seperated with comma.
Since Jan is a word and 7 a number no comma needed.
The meeting was on 7 Jan 2019.
Commas seperate larger geographical areas from a smaller one.
Los Angeles, California, is one of America’s largest cities.
We are going to London, England, for a meeting.
No comma needed at end of sentence.
He went to London, England.
Comma at start and end of a written letter. But don’t have to.
If beginning of letter has no comma, end won’t either.
Dear Sir / Madam,
Best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Yours faithfully,
Oxford comma / series comma / serial comma.
A comma used before ‘and, or ‘or’ just before the final item in a list.
We invited members, B and C.
We invited members, B, and C.
But we need to ask the question, “how many are invited?”
In first example just two people, B and C.
In second B, C, and members are invited.
That’s the diff in meaning.
Commas to surround an interrupting expression.
You are, I am sure, telling the truth.
