Comma Rules in English Grammar

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Questions and Answers

When should you use a comma in a sentence?

Before an independent clause

After a coordinating conjunction

Before a coordinating conjunction (correct)

Before a dependent clause

What is the purpose of a semicolon?

To end a sentence

To separate items in a list

To join two independent clauses (correct)

To introduce a dependent clause

What is an example of a run-on sentence?

She had a nice evening, but her friend did not like the restaurant there were too many people he did not like the food. (correct)

She had a nice evening. Her friend did not like the restaurant.

She had a nice evening, but her friend did not like the restaurant.

She had a nice evening; her friend did not like the restaurant.

When can you use a colon?

To introduce a list or explanation Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a sentence fragment?

After the baseball game. Signup and view all the answers

When do you use a comma to separate clauses?

When the dependent clause comes first Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a comma in a list?

To separate items in a list Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of correct punctuation?

I went to the store, and I bought milk. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a thesis statement?

To present an arguable claim Signup and view all the answers

When citing a quote from a novel, what information is needed in the parentheses?

Author's last name and page number Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'context' component in an ACEIT body paragraph?

To provide background information Signup and view all the answers

When citing an epic poem, what information is needed in the parentheses?

Author's last name, book number, and line number Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'interpretation' component in an ACEIT body paragraph?

To provide analysis of the evidence Signup and view all the answers

When citing a play, what information is needed in the parentheses?

Author's last name, act number, scene number, and line number Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of a good thesis statement?

It presents an arguable claim Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'assertion' component in an ACEIT body paragraph?

To make a claim or argument Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a hook in an introductory paragraph?

To make a general statement about the topic Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a MLA in-text citation?

(Smith 2020) Signup and view all the answers

When is a semicolon used in a sentence?

To separate two independent clauses Signup and view all the answers

What is a run-on sentence?

A sentence with two independent clauses not joined by any punctuation Signup and view all the answers

When is a colon used in a sentence?

To introduce a list or quotation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a correct use of commas?

I went to the store, and I bought milk, eggs, and bread. Signup and view all the answers

How can you correct a sentence fragment?

Add more information to make it a complete sentence Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a thesis statement?

To state the main idea of the essay and the writer's opinion Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Comma Rules

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when joining two independent clauses.
Use a comma when separating a dependent clause and an independent clause, only if the dependent clause comes first.
Use a comma when listing things.

Less Common Comma Rules

Use a comma to offset appositive phrases.
Use a comma to indicate direct address of someone/something.
Use commas to separate direct quotations.

Semicolon Rules

Use a semicolon to combine two independent clauses.

Colon Rules

Use a colon to list things.
Use a colon to signal further clarification.
Use a colon before a noun (person, place, thing, or idea) or a noun phrase.

Identifying Run-on Sentences and Sentence Fragments

A run-on sentence has too many clauses with incorrect punctuation in between.
A sentence fragment is a dependent clause standing alone, which will not express a complete thought.

Drama Terms

Monologue: a long speech given by one character while others are on the stage.
Soliloquy: a long speech given by one character when alone.
Aside: a character speaks so that only the audience can hear.
Blank verse: speech in a play that follows iambic pentameter but does not rhyme.

Nonfiction

Definition: writing based on facts, real events, and real people.
Narrative nonfiction: a nonfiction story that has fiction elements, such as complex characters and a plot with conflict.
Bias: favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.

Writing and Grammar Topics

Introductory paragraphs
Thesis statements
ACEIT paragraphs
MLA in-text citations
Comma rules
Semicolon rules
Colon rules
Ways to correct run-on sentences
Ways to correct sentence fragments

Introductory Paragraphs

Hook: a general statement about the topic of the essay.
Context: provide context about the text and characters.
Title, author, and genre of the text (often included in the context).
Thesis statement...

Thesis Statements

Definition: the main idea of an essay, which is often the point the writer wants to argue or support.
Components:
- Appears as the last sentence of the introduction.
- Presents an arguable claim, not simply a fact from the text.
- Does not use first person.
- Answers the question "so what"

ACEIT Body Paragraphs

Assertion: the main claim being argued in the body paragraph.
Context: providing background information that the reader might need before introducing evidence.
Evidence: direct quotes from the text that support the assertion.
Interpretation: analysis that explains how the quote supports what is said in the claim.
Transition/Tie-up: smoothly transitioning into the next paragraph or tying up the last body paragraph.

MLA in-text Citations

Citing a quote from a novel: author's last name and page number in parentheses.
Citing an epic poem: author's last name, book number, and line number.
Citing a play: author's last name, act number, scene number, and line number.

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Description

Test your knowledge of comma rules in English grammar, including when to use commas before coordinating conjunctions and with dependent clauses.