Comma Rules Quiz

Comma Rules

• Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (e.g., and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) to connect two independent clauses. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.
• Place a comma after introductory phrases or clauses. These phrases or clauses come at the beginning of a sentence and cannot stand alone as complete sentences.
• Use commas to separate items in a series. This applies to three or more items in a list.
• Employ commas before and after non-essential elements within a sentence. Non-essential elements provide extra information but are not crucial to the sentence's meaning.
• Use a comma after a coordinating conjunction when it is followed by an adjective or a descriptive phrase.
• Use commas to separate dates and locations. These can be multiple locations or multiple dates.
• Insert a comma after a direct quotation. This applies to direct speech.
• Use commas to enclose interrupters. These are phrases or words that interrupt the flow of a sentence.

Semicolon Rules

• Use a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses. The two clauses must be closely related in meaning.
• Connect two independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb (e.g., however, therefore, nevertheless) and a semicolon. Conjunctive adverbs add transition, showing cause and effect, contrast or other connections.
• Use semicolons to separate components in a series if those components themselves contain commas. This clarifies complex lists or items in a series that already use commas.