Punctuation Rules

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Is a comma used when two independent clauses are joined by A coordinating conjunction?

A comma is used if there are two sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Is a dependent clause a complete sentence?

A dependent clause cannot be a sentence.

How do you identify a dependent clause?

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.

What is a dependent clause?

A group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It is not considered a sentence.

What is an example of a dependent clause?

After Aiden returned from his fishing trip, he took a long nap. (After Aiden return from his fishing trip is a dependent clause. It contains the subject Aiden and the verb returned. The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

An example of an a enumerated listing.

An example of an enumerated list: The new officers were as follows: (1) Mary, (2) John, and (3) Sue.

An example of an a enumerated listing.

An example of an enumerated list: The officers were (1) Mary, (2) John, and (3) Sue.

What is an enumerated listing?

And a numeration is a complete, ordered listing of all the items in a collection. The term is commonly used in mathematics and computer science to refer to a listing of all the elements of a set

An example of a punctuated series of words.

Apples, oranges, and bananas... (words)

A contrasting expression is a small word or phrase that works to join two parts of a sentence.

For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so, rather than, and not are all examples of conjunctions that introduce opposite phrases or clauses.

An example of an independent clause that does not have a series in. You have three words joined by coordinating conjunctions.

I have apples and oranges and bananas... (no commas because it is not considered a series since it is joined by coordinating conjunctions.)

When a conjunction is used to join a positive and negative expression, there is no need for a comma.

I want to go but not with you.

An example of an independent and dependent clause.

I was tired from working all day; therefore, I decided to go to bed early. When the dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction (connecting word) and precedes the independent clause, separate the clauses with a comma. Dependent clause, independent clause.

Example of a sentence with more than three independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions.

I went to the store and I went to the show and I went home.

Example of a contrasting expression with "but" as the last coordinating conjunction.

I went to the store and I went to the show, but I never spent any of my money.

Example of a contrasting expression. The punctuation can never be anything but a comma; that is, never a semi.

I went to the store and I went to the show, but I never spent any of my money.

If the contrasting conjunction "but" is in the middle, not the last conjunction joining an independent clause, there is no punctuation in front of the conjunction "but."

I went to the store but I didn't spend any money and I went to the show.

An example of a punctuated independent clause containing a series

I went to the store, I went to the show, and I went to school... (independent clauses)

Example of a contrasting expression.

I went to the store, Joe, and I went to the show, but I never spent any money.

Example of a sentence using a comma in front of the coordinating conjunction that combines two independent clauses.

I went to the store, and I went to the show.

Do not start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction unless the sentence is Q&A.

If the sentence is Q and A and there are several sentences joined already, then it's okay to use a comma.

An example of a punctuated phrase with a series.

In the yard, in the house, in the street, and in the office... (phrase)

In Q & A only, if there is no logical place to break the sentence, it is acceptable to break the sentence off after the fourth independent.

True: In Q & A only, if there is no logical place to break the sentence, it is acceptable to break the sentence off after the fourth independent.

An example of a contrasting expression where the negative part comes first, then the positive part. No comma is needed.

That day is considered not a holiday but a vacation day.

An example of a punctuated dependent clause in a series.

When we get to the house, when we get out of the car, when we get the doors unlocked, and when we get inside... (dependent phrases)

If "et cetera" or "and so on" completes a series, are they followed by a comma?

Yes, if "et cetera" or "and so on" completes a series, they are followed by a comma.

If you have two or more parts of a date back-to-back, do you follow each part with a comma?

Yes, if you have two or more parts of a date back-to-back, you follow each part with a comma. Example: It was on June 15, 2010, that it happened.

When do you use a coordinating conjunction?

You use a comma around a coordinating conjunction when it is separating two complete sentences.

What is a subordinating conjunction?

a conjunction that introduces a subordinate clause, e.g., although, because.

I went to the store but I didn't spend any money and I went to the show.

Correctly punctuated

Is there ever a time that you may start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction?

Do not start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction unless it is Q&A and there are several independents joined already.

I went to school and I went shopping, but I never saw Mary.

Example of a contrasting expression (positive, then negative) with the coordinating conjunction "but" as the last conjunction and is joining the last independent clause. In this case a comma must come before the coordinating conjunction "but."

Contrasting expressions (positives, then a negative) have to be set off by commas.

Example of a contrasting expression that is set off by commas: I want 11, not 12, chairs.

A contrasting expression where the negative part comes first, then the positive part. No, is needed.

Example of a contrasting expression where the negative part comes first, followed by the positive part: That day is considered not a holiday but a vacation day.

Example of a contrasting expression where the positive part comes first, followed by the negative part; and has to be set off by commas.

Example of a contrasting expression with a positive followed by a negative (must be set off by a comma): We took Mary and Joe, not Susie, to the concert.

Be careful of the understood "that" after a conjunction. This introduces a dependent clause, not an independent; and there would be no punctuation in front of the conjunction.

Example of a sentence with the understood "that" introducing a dependent clause; no punctuation is placed in front of the conjunction. I understood that he had to leave early and (that) he would meet us.

If there are three or more independent clauses separated by coordinating conjunctions, do not use commas UNLESS "but" is used as the last conjunction.

Example of three independent clauses in a sentence: I went to the store and I went to the show and I went home.

Rule: Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase. A comma tells the reader that the introductory clause or phrase has come to a close and that the main part of the sentence is about to begin.

Example of using a comma after an introductory clause or phrase: When Evan was ready to iron, his cat tripped on the cord.

When a conjunction is used to join a positive and negative expression, there is no need for a comma.

Example of when no comma is needed in a contrasting expression: I want not 12 but 11 chairs.

Some common dependent clauses have marker words.

Examples of common dependent clause marker words: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.

What is an example of a month, date, and year that an event occurred?

It was on June 15, 2010, that it happened.

Are items in a series separated or set off by commas?

Items in a series must be separated or set off by commas. A series consists of any one of these four items: words, phrases, dependent clauses, or independent clauses.

What are some examples of contrasting words that are used in a contrasting expression?

Mike, similar to, also, unlike, similarly, in the same way, likewise, again, compared to, in contrast, in like manner, contrasted with, on the contrary, however, although, yet, even though, still, but, nevertheless, conversely, at the same time, regardless, despite, while, on the one hand, on the other hand.

I understood that he had to leave early and (that) he would meet us.

No comma because of the understood "that"

Can a dependent clause be a sentence?

No, a dependent clause cannot be a sentence because it does not express a complete thought.