Grammar GrammarBook.com |
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation

Category: Commas

Commas with Question Marks and Periods

Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2013, at 2:45 pm

Rule 1 - Use a comma to separate a statement from a question. Example: I can go, can't I? Rule 2 - Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence. Example: That is my money, not yours. Pop Quiz Select the correct sentence. 1A. You’re Marvin from my old Denver neighborhood, aren’t you? …

Read More

Comma Lesson

Posted on Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at 5:42 pm

Rule: Use a comma to separate two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction--and, or, but, for, nor. Example: He thought quickly, but he still did not answer correctly. Now, let’s look at a slightly different situation. Rule 1 - If the subject does not appear in front of the second verb, do not use …

Read More

Commas with Independent Clauses

Posted on Monday, January 14, 2013, at 5:18 pm

NOTE: An independent (or strong) clause is a simple sentence with a subject, verb, and a complete thought. A dependent (or weak) clause has a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. Rule - Use a comma to separate two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction—and, or, but, for, nor. You …

Read More

Commas with Clauses

Posted on Sunday, January 6, 2013, at 6:48 pm

Rule - When starting a sentence with a weak clause, use a comma after it. Conversely, do not use a comma when the sentence starts with a strong clause followed by a weak clause. Examples: If you are not sure about this, let me know now. Let me know now if you are not sure …

Read More

Commas to Separate a City and State

Posted on Sunday, December 16, 2012, at 3:27 pm

Rule – Use a comma to separate the city from the state, and always put one after the state, also. Example: I lived in Denver, Colorado, for 20 years. NOTE: The U.S. Postal Service's two-letter capitalized abbreviations (e.g., CO for Colorado, IL for Illinois) are not recommended in formal writing. However, when writing an address …

Read More

Commas in Titles

Posted on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, at 3:25 pm

Rule – Use commas to set off the name or title of a person directly addressed. Examples: Will you, Aisha, do that assignment for me? Yes, Doctor, I will. NOTE: Capitalize a title when directly addressing someone. Joshua, please remember to buy lettuce. Please remember to buy lettuce, Joshua. Rule - Use commas to surround …

Read More

Commas with Adjectives

Posted on Saturday, November 24, 2012, at 12:41 pm

In this lesson, we'll examine a more advanced concept for using the comma. Rule: Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the adjectives are interchangeable. Examples: He is a strong, healthy man. We could also say a healthy, strong man. We stayed at an expensive summer resort. We would not say summer expensive resort, …

Read More

Commas with Dates and Series

Posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at 6:59 pm

There are many uses for the comma in English grammar. Let’s look at a couple of them. Rule 1: To avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more. Examples: John likes to eat a hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausage, toast, and chocolate! (Omitting the comma after …

Read More

Commas with Nonessential Elements

Posted on Tuesday, August 11, 2009, at 9:45 am

Today, we'll examine two more uses for the comma. Rule 1: If something or someone is sufficiently identified, the description following it is considered nonessential and should be surrounded by commas. Examples: Freddy, who has a limp, was in an automobile accident. (Freddy is named, so the description of him that immediately follows is not …

Read More

The Power of Punctuation

Posted on Saturday, August 9, 2008, at 7:59 pm

If you question the necessity of punctuation, here is a story that should illustrate its power. A professor wrote on the chalkboard: A woman without her man is nothing. He asked students to correct any punctuation errors. While most of the male students saw nothing wrong with the sentence, most of the females rewrote the …

Read More

1 4 5 6 7