Commas in Writing. Commas have a wide variety of uses, probably more than any other punctuation mark. This is undoubtedly one of the reasons that they are so often misused. By knowing the rules behind comma usage, you can overcome the uncertainty that often plagues writers when trying to determine when a comma should be used. Compound Sentences. Silver The Hedgehog Game Pc. When two independent clauses an independent clause is a clause that contains both a subject and a verb are used in the same sentence without any punctuation to separate them, the sentence is called a run on sentence. For example, the following is a run on sentence because it is made up of two independent clauses that are run together without any punctuation This is a good place to work the benefits are great and the people are wonderful to work with. There are several ways to fix run on sentences. Commas. One way to fix run on sentences is to use a comma. A comma is used to separate two independent clauses that are separated by a coordinating conjunction. For more information about coordinating conjunctions, refer to the article Conjunctions. Examples Jane directed the meeting, and Barbara took copious notes. John was able to attend the meeting, but he had to leave early. Do you want to meet at 9 a. She could not be late for the meeting, so she took a cab. Avoid using a comma between two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction. MFWF held a NationalFlexDay contest around the question, What does work flexibility mean to you. Data Analyst Job Description Resume Questions For Students are documents that provide an outline of an individuals experience and suitabilities. More ofte. Youve got problems, Ive got advice. This advice isnt sugarcoatedin fact, its sugarfree, and may even be a little bitter. Welcome to Tough Love. Thank you for your interest in this topic. We are currently updating our website to reflect EPAs priorities under the leadership of President Trump and Administrator. This causes a comma splice. Not They began the meeting fifteen minutes late, the director had still not arrived. The secretary heard the good news, he was ecstatic. Mary knew she had arrived early, she waited in the reception area. Telecommute Proposal Template Free' title='Telecommute Proposal Template Free' />
But They began the meeting fifteen minutes late, but the director had still not arrived. The secretary heard the good news, and he was ecstatic. Mary knew she had arrived early, so she waited in the reception area. In some cases, when two short, related independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction, the comma can be omitted. Telecommute Proposal Template' title='Telecommute Proposal Template' />
Examples They walked and we ran. Matt dictated and John took notes. Luisa sang but Kirk remained silent. He waited yet no one arrived. Template Treasure Chest Box there. You may also like how much money do you make what benefits do you get salary negotiation mistakes that are costing you money. When in doubt about whether or not to use the comma in such instances, go ahead and use it. A comma in such cases is not incorrect even though it is not strictly necessary. In addition to the possibilities mentioned above, some run on sentences can also be fixed by adding an adverb or conjunction at the beginning of the sentence and using a comma between the two clauses. Examples After they began the meeting fifteen minutes late, the director decided to end early. When the secretary heard the good news, he was ecstatic. Because they enjoyed eating out so much, they were always short on cash. Since Mary knew she had arrived early, she waited in the reception area. Semicolons. Run on sentences can also be remedied by using a semicolon in place of the comma, without the conjunction. Examples They began the meeting fifteen minutes late the director had still not arrived. The secretary heard the good news he was ecstatic. Mary knew she had arrived early she waited in the reception area. Semicolons should generally be used to separate two independent clauses only when the clauses are closely related, as in the examples above. A comma is not used to separate an independent clause from a dependent clause that is, a clause that can not function alone as a sentence but must be joined to a main clause. Not Barbara listened to the discussion, and took notes. John attended the meeting, but had to leave early. But Barbara listened to the discussion and took notes. John attended the meeting but had to leave early. Or Barbara listened to the discussion, and she took notes. John attended the meeting, but he had to leave early. By including a subject in the second clause, it becomes an independent clause, and so a comma is used. Periods. You can also fix a run on sentence by splitting it into two separate sentences. To do so, use a period instead of a semicolon, and capitalize the first word of the second sentence. Examples They began the meeting fifteen minutes late. The director had still not arrived. The secretary heard the good news. He was ecstatic. Mary knew she had arrived early. She waited in the reception area. The decision of whether to use a comma and conjunction, semicolon, or period is largely one of style. Each method is correct, so choose which punctuation mark to use based on the rhythm that you want to achieve. Serial Commas. Use a comma to separate items in a series of three or more. Include a comma before the last item in the series known as a serialcomma or sometimes an Oxfordcomma. Examples At the seminar he learned about finding new customers, increasing capital, and investing returns. They restocked their supply of binders, notepads, and blue pens. Employee morale, overall productivity, and profits were all on the rise. Though some writers omit the serial comma, careful writers will include it in order to preserve balance and to avoid possible ambiguity, as in the phrase To my siblings, Alex and George in this example, we dont know for sure if Alex and George are the siblings, or if they are in addition to the siblings. Hip Hop Rap Sample Kits For Fl Studio. Not Applicants should be proficient in word processing, transcription, taking minutes, filing and reading reports. I gave gifts to my brothers, Pat and Bill. Without the serial comma, we assume that the names of the brothers are Pat and Bill. He likes to jog, travel, golf, read and eat exotic foods. For a moment, readers might think that he likes to read exotic foods. But Applicants should be proficient in word processing, transcription, taking minutes, filing, and reading reports. I gave the gifts to my brothers, Pat, and Bill. When the serial comma is used, then we realize that the person gave gifts to her brothers, to Pat, and to Bill. He likes to jog, travel, golf, read, and eat exotic foods. When a series concludes with and so forth, and the like, or etc., a comma generally precedes, and sometimes follows, such expressions. Examples He brought chips, dip, crackers, veggies, and so forth to the party. Jan enjoys painting watercolors, portraits, etc., in order to relax. The speaker distributed handouts, legal pads, pens, and similar items before the meeting started. When the last item in the series consists of two entities joined by and, a comma still comes before the and that precedes the last item but not before the and that is part of the last item. Not He likes to eat egg salad, tuna fish, and peanut butter, and jelly sandwiches for lunch. We participated in three segments a discussion panel, a workshop, and an eat, and meet. But He likes to eat egg salad, tuna fish, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. We participated in three segments a discussion panel, a workshop, and an eat and meet. To preserve parallel structure in a series, use words that fulfill the same grammatical function. Not The new employee enjoys talking, restaurants, chess, and to go to sleep. She is intelligent, hardworking, and going to make something of herself. He likes to visit historical sites, museums, and to go to antique stores. But The new employee enjoys talking, eating at fine restaurants, playing chess, and sleeping. She is intelligent, hardworking, and ambitious. He likes to visit historical sites and museums and to go to antique stores. Healthy Cholesterol Diet Plans.