Do you always need a comma before a conjunction?

Do you always need a comma before a conjunction?

The word and is a conjunction, and when a conjunction joins two independent clauses, you should use a comma with it. The proper place for the comma is before the conjunction. Therefore, we need a comma before and. Don’t use a comma before and when one of the clauses it’s connecting is a dependent clause.

Is a comma a connective?

Connectives can be conjunctions (eg but, when, because) or connecting adverbs (eg however, then, therefore). Commas are often used to mark off connecting adverbs or adverbial phrases or clauses: First of all, I want to say … I didn’t think much of the film.

Do you use a comma when Listing 2 things?

Commas with Two List Items. When there are two items in a list, don’t use a comma to separate the list items (unless it helps your reader). For example: Please buy bread and milk.

When listing three things do you use a comma?

When we have a list of three or more items, we use a comma to split the items in the list. This comma is known as a listing comma, e.g. I like rice, beans, and plantains. Listing commas can usually be replaced by “and” or “or,” e.g. I like rice and beans and plantains.

What is the rule for commas in a series?

COMMA RULE #1 – THE COMMA IN A SERIES: Use commas to separate items in a series. What is a ”series”? A “series” is a list of 3 or more items, the last two of which are joined by and, or, or nor.

Do you need a comma after the last item in a list?

Do not place a comma after the last item in the list (see fourth example below) unless the structure of the sentence otherwise requires it (see third example below, in which the comma after audience is required to separate an introductory dependent clause from the main clause).

How do commas work in a list?

Separate phrases, words, or clauses in lists When making a list, commas are the most common way to separate one list item from the next. The final two items in the list are usually separated by “and” or “or”, which should be preceeded by a comma.

Do you always need a comma before a conjunction?

Do you always need a comma before a conjunction?

The word and is a conjunction, and when a conjunction joins two independent clauses, you should use a comma with it. The proper place for the comma is before the conjunction. Therefore, we need a comma before and. Don’t use a comma before and when one of the clauses it’s connecting is a dependent clause.

What goes between independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction?

Use a semicolon between two independent clauses with no coordinating conjunction. Independent clause ; independent clause. Example: I was tired from working all day; I decided to go to bed early. Use a semicolon before and a comma after the conjunctive adverbs (connecting words) listed below.

How do you separate independent and dependent clauses?

If the dependent clause is first (again, rather like an introduction to the main clause), it is followed by a comma (like in this sentence and the next). If the independent clause comes first, no punctuation separates the two.

What are three ways to connect two independent clauses?

There are three ways of joining independent clauses into a compound sentence: with a coordinating conjunction (one of the fanboys); with a semicolon; or. with a semicolon and a transitional expression.

Do you use a comma to separate two independent clauses?

(Note: You can use a comma between independent clauses only if you also use a coordinating conjunction.) Thus, it can separate two independent clauses by itself; a comma cannot separate two independent clauses unless it is followed by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).

What are examples of independent clauses?

Independent Clause Examples

  • I enjoy sitting by the fireplace and reading.
  • Waiting to have my car’s oil changed is boring.
  • She wants to travel the world and see wonderful sights.
  • Our planets revolve around the sun.
  • The professor always comes to class fully prepared.
  • Hurricanes strengthen over warm waters.

What type of sentence has two independent clauses?

COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE

What is dependent and independent clause with examples?

About Transcript. An independent clause is a sentence that has a subject and a verb and requires no extra information to understand. Dependent clauses, which start with subordinating conjunctions such as “while,” “that,” or “unless,” give background information but cannot stand on their own as sentences.

What are complex sentences 5 examples?

Common Complex Sentence Examples

  • Because my coffee was too cold, I heated it in the microwave.
  • Although he was wealthy, he was still unhappy.
  • She returned the computer after she noticed it was damaged.
  • Whenever prices goes up, customers buy less products.

What is complex sentence give example?

A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. This means that the clauses are not equal, they use a co-ordinating conjunction that changes the rank of one or more of the clauses to make it less equal. For example; My Dad laughed when I told a joke.

How do you start a complex sentence?

A complex sentence is formed by adding one or more subordinate (dependent) clauses to the main (independent) clause using conjunctions and/or relative pronouns. A clause is a simple sentence. Simple sentences contain only one clause (verb group).

How do you practice complex sentences?

Complex Sentence Worksheets

  1. I’m going to the bank _______ I need some money.
  2. I made lunch _________ I got home.
  3. ________ it’s raining, she’s going for a walk in the park.
  4. ________ she finishes her homework soon, she will fail the class.
  5. He decided to trust Tim ______ he was an honest man.

How do you know if a sentence is simple compound or complex?

A simple sentence consists of only one clause. A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses. A complex sentence has at least one independent clause plus at least one dependent clause.

Do complex sentences have commas?

Complex sentences are sentences that have two clauses. There can be two independent clauses (each having a subject and predicate), or an independent clause and dependent clause (missing a subject or predicate). A comma is placed right before the conjunction in this type of complex sentence.

How do you teach complex sentences fun?

Try giving the class a picture of a sandwich to write their sentences on, if it makes things easier. For extra help, you could also provide the ‘bread’ of the sentence yourself, and ask the children to only provide the ‘filling’ – ‘I went to the zoo ________________ because it’s fun’, for example.

Which is an example of a compound sentence?

A compound sentence is a sentence that has at least two independent clauses joined by a comma, semicolon or conjunction. An example of a compound sentence is, ‘This house is too expensive, and that house is too small.