He had to take care of two dogs Jane and Louis. Use Commas to Separate Items in a List.
Literacy Math Ideas Free When To Use A Comma Reference Chart Teaching Writing Essay Writing Skills English Writing Skills
I went to the yarn shop and got needles yarn and a pattern.
Comma usage rules and examples. Always use commas to separate the elements of a series of three or more things particularly the last two. Some types of toothed whales are dolphins orcas and sperm whales. Use commas after introductory a clauses b phrases or c words that come before the main clause.
It is called Oxford. The Constitution establishes the legislative executive and judicial branches of government. I wanted to dance yet I couldnt get on the dance floor.
As a rule of thumb if the phrase is longer than about four words use the comma. Use commas after introductory a clauses b phrases or c words that come before the main clause. Without the serial comma the sentence seems to say that he had to take.
When you have a sentence with a list of items you should separate them with commas. As a general rule of thumb you can leave out the comma before the last item in a list unless putting one in will reduce confusion. Ernest Hemingways sentences are terse direct and uncomplicated.
Use a comma to separate three or more words phrases or clauses written in a series. We went walking and we saw a fight. Independent clauses in a sentence should be set off with a comma before any coordinating conjunction.
A comma is necessary before the last and Example. Captain Bitko head of the theft department finally came to the interview room. She made a casserole out of chicken pasta and leftover broccoli.
Reading cycling eating and napping. In numbers more than four digits long use commas to separate the numbers into groups of three starting from the right. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items.
This resource also includes sections with more detailed rules and examples. John was obsessed with parties girls and sports cars. Use a comma to separate a dependent clause from an independent clause.
My estate goes to my husband son daughter-in-law and nephew. Here the serial comma clarifies that two dogs Jane and Louis are separate items. Most newspapers and magazines drop the Oxford comma in a simple series apparently feeling its unnecessary.
Another example is when items at the end of the list could be read as describing an earlier item. Use commas with coordinating conjunctions FANBOYS to join 2 INDEPENDENT clauses. However omission of the Oxford comma can sometimes lead to misunderstandings.
A comma is used to separate items. You usually put a comma before and when its connecting two independent clauses. In numbers four digits long a comma is optional.
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. Separating items in a list of three or more things. Quick Guide to Commas.
Theres no single rule that applies to all situations. Its almost always optional to put a comma before and in a list. Comma Rules 1-2 Comma Rule 1.
Keep in mind that items can be nouns verbs or adjectives. For And Nor But Or Yet So. Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions.
You can also use a comma with a shorter phrase when you want to emphasize it or add a pause for literary effect. However there are some times when adding a comma before and can help to prevent confusion particularly when a series of words includes terms that have a tendency to glom together. When an adverbial phrase begins a sentence its often followed by a comma but it doesnt have to be especially if its short.
He had to take care of two dogs Jane and Louis. One famous example of this is the sentence I want to thank my parents Ayn Rand and God. This probably the first use of commas you learned in school.
Use a Comma in a Series or List When creating a list of three or more simple words items or concepts use a comma to separate each word or word group. Comma Rules Use commas to separate three or more items in a list. Sandra Belinsky MD has been appointed to the board.
O I need to buy kiwis coconuts and limes. And but for or nor so yet. Whether or not you put a comma before and depends on how youre using and.
However there are slight differences in comma usage in different English styles. Look at the example above see a comma before and. These conjunctions include but for and or yet so nor.
O The marbles are bright colorful and round. O This afternoon Im going to study work and babysit. Use commas with items in a series.
If you have such a queue you should use a comma to separate it. I told him I lived at 221B Baker Street London England. She saddled her horse hopped on and rode off into the sunset You may have learned that its not necessary to use a comma before and and thats fine in most cases.
The cake mix requires flour sugar eggs and butter. Note that some style guides would not add the comma after the word eggs. Yesterday was her brothers birthday so she took him out to dinner.
These are some of Sassons favorite activities. Lists Use commas to separate items in a list or series including lists of adjectives that describe a noun. Without the serial comma the list is confusing.
Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after although as because if since when while. Commas should also come between the individual elements of an address. Commas should be used to set off titles or positions following a name.
If a title follows a name separate the title from the rest of the sentence with a pair of commas. Make sure you put a comma before the conjunction too.