| Commas |
| Commas are used to connect complete sentences, but only if a coordinating conjunction joins them. Coordinating conjunctions are the shorter joining words; some people find it easy to remember which these are through the mnemonic (memory trick) FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. The old house should be condemned, for it’s about to crumble. Angela bakes fabulous bread, yet she can’t make biscuits. Our hosts began to argue, so we decided to leave. That joke was not funny, nor was it in good taste. Notice the construction of the last example sentence; when the conjunction ‘nor’ is used, the subject and verb are inverted, as in a question. Commas are also used to set a non-restrictive clause apart from the rest of a sentence. A non-restrictive clause adds extra, non-essential, information; the sentence would have the same meaning if the clause were deleted. Elmer’s paisley suit, which he’s had for many years, has come back into style. She writes grants, an on-going effort, for our local pre-school. Note that two commas, one before and one after, are used with non-restrictive clauses. Finally, a comma is used after an introductory word or phrase. One example is the preceding sentence; the word finally introduces the sentence, so a comma comes after it. Here's another example: After an introductory word or phrase, you need to place a comma. However if the introductory phrase is moved to the end of the sentence, no comma is used. You need to place a comma after an introductory word or phrase. |
| #1 Fanboy: FOR |
| #2 Fanboy: AND |
| #3 Fanboy: NOR |
| #4 Fanboy: BUT |
| #5 Fanboy: OR |
| #6 Fanboy: YET |
| Practice quizzes on commas from Capital Community College: with Coordinating Conjunctions with Introductory Elements General - Fill-ins General - Revision |
| #7 Fanboy: SO |
| Free Praxis Prep is a service of Multicultural Education Programs at the University of Southern Maine About Us Using this Material Contact Us Linking |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |