Can You Use A Comma To Join Two Independent Clauses?

Can you use a comma to join two independent clauses? To combine two independent clauses (complete sentences),

use a semicolon or a comma and conjunction

. To attach a dependent clause, use a comma if it comes before the independent clause; use no comma if it comes after the independent clause, unless it is a “contrast word” (although, though, even though, whereas).

How do you use a comma to join an independent clause?

1. Rule: Use a comma between two independent clauses when conjunctions such as and, or, but, for, nor connect them. …
2. Rule: If the clauses are short (your call), then leave out the comma. …
3. Rule: If you have only one clause (one subject and verb pair), you generally won’t need a comma in front of the conjunction.

When and joins two independent clauses you should use a comma before it?

The word and is a conjunction, and

when a conjunction joins two independent clauses, you should use a comma with it

. The proper place for the comma is before the conjunction. On Monday we’ll see the Eiffel Tower, and on Tuesday we’ll visit the Louvre.

Can you use a comma to join two sentences?

Is a comma splice wrong?

It is incorrect to join two independent clauses with a comma

. This error is called a comma splice.

What are the 8 rules for commas?

• Use a comma to separate independent clauses. …
• Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase. …
• Use a comma between all items in a series. …
• Use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses. …
• Use a comma to set off appositives. …
• Use a comma to indicate direct address. …
• Use commas to set off direct quotations.

Is it grammatically correct to put a comma before and?

It is grammatically correct to use a comma before “and” (and other coordinating conjunctions such as “but”, “or”, “nor”) only when it splits two independent clauses

(i.e. if you remove the “and” you will be left with two complete sentences), or if you’re using it as an Oxford comma.

Do we put comma before or?

Should you use a comma before or? The answer depends on how you are using or.

Always place a comma before or when it begins an independent clause, but if it begins a dependent clause, don’t

. In a series (or list) of three or more items, you can use a comma before or, but this is a preference, not a rule.

Do you always put a comma before but?

Comma Before But

If you are joining two independent clauses, use a comma before the word but

. Where the but is not joining two independent clauses, do not use a comma. The comma is a useful and multifunctional part of English grammar, it can help the flow of a piece of text and provide a small break for the reader.

What is a joining comma?

The joining comma

joins two complete sentences to form one sentence

. The joining comma must be followed with a connecting word such as and, but, or, nor, so, yet and while. Sentence examples for the joining comma: I have finished all of my homework, but she is still working on hers.

What is the comma splice rule?

A comma splice is

the unjustifiable use of only a comma to combine two separate sentences

. (One should use either a period, a semicolon, or a coordinating conjunction and a comma to separate the two statements.) Comma splice: Wearing a seatbelt is not just a good idea, it’s the law.

What are examples of comma splice?

A comma splice error occurs when sentences or independent clauses are improperly connected by a comma alone. Examples of Comma Splice Errors:

The clouds were dark, we thought it would rain. I bought a coat, however, it did not fit.

What are the comma rules?

• Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. …
• Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.

How do you use commas examples?

Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. Example:

My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew

. Note: When the last comma in a series comes before and or or (after daughter-in-law in the above example), it is known as the Oxford comma.

What are the 5 uses of a comma?

• Separating the main elements of a sentence from each other.
• Setting off a parenthetical element from the rest of the sentence.
• Separating elements in a series.
• Setting off dialogs or quotations.
• Other uses of the comma.

How do you remember comma rules?

1. #1 Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) that links two independent clauses. …
2. #2 Use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence. …
3. #3 Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence.

Can you put a comma after and?

Some people put the comma before the “and” while others leave it out, but

it definitely does not go after

. It is possible to follow an “and” with a comma that serves another function: “He walked into town and, while he was there, enjoyed a curry.”

Do you use a comma when listing 3 things?

As mentioned above, when you are listing three or more items,

commas should separate each element of the list

. However, the final comma—the one that comes before the and—is optional. This comma is called the serial comma or the Oxford comma. Whether or not you use the serial comma is a style choice.

Is the Oxford comma?

The Oxford comma is

the comma placed before the conjunction at the end of a list of things

. For example, in “the flag was red, white, and blue”, the Oxford comma would be the one appearing before “and”. Proponents of the Oxford comma say it’s necessary for removing ambiguity in sentences.

What is a independent clause example?

An independent clause is the combination of at least one subject and predicate. It expresses a complete thought. For example:

The waves crashed onto the sandy shore.

What are two independent clauses?

What is not a comma splice?

If the sentence contains two independent clauses without a linking conjunction

, it is a comma splice. For example, the sentence, “I went to the store today, we were out of apples,” contains a comma splice because the clauses before and after the comma are independent, and there is no conjunction to link them.

Why do comma splices matter?

Why do Comma Splices Matter? Comma splices are an important error in English because

they interfere with clarity in communications

.

What is it called when you put a comma in a wrong place?

A

comma splice

occurs when you place a comma between two independent clauses without a conjunction between them. A Grammarian would consider this an inappropriate use of the comma. Incorrect: I opened the door, I fell on the ground.

What is the difference between a comma splice and a run on?

A comma splice is exactly like a run-on sentence. The difference is that

instead of using no punctuation to divide two complete sentences, the writer uses a comma to divide two complete sentences

.

How is comma splicing fixed?

The simplest way to fix a comma splice is to

separate the two improperly joined sentences

. Simply replace the comma with a period. The two sentences may sound a bit abrupt placed one after the other, but at least they will be grammatical: I completed my essay.

What are the 4 types of commas?

There are four types of comma:

the listing comma, the joining comma, the gapping comma and bracketing commas

.

What are the 12 comma rules?

• Use a comma to separate items in a list (but beware of the serial comma). …
• Use a comma to join independent clauses. …
• Use a comma to join a dependent clause and an independent clause. …
• Use a comma following an introductory word group. …
• Use a comma to interrupt a sentence or to provide additional information.

What are 10 examples comma sentences?

What example would not use a comma?

Example: John is tall so he ducks when entering rooms. Note: When the same subject is doing both actions (a compound verb but not a compound sentence), do not use a comma. Example:

She skips and runs down the sidewalk.

Do not use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that separates two independent clauses?

They can be made into one compound sentence with a semicolon alone between the two independent clauses. The semicolon has more strength than the comma. Thus, it can separate two independent clauses by itself;

a comma cannot separate two independent clauses unless it is followed by a coordinating conjunction

(FANBOYS).

How do you use commas examples?

What are the comma rules?

• Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. …
• Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.

What are the examples of comma?

• The pet store has cats, dogs, hamsters, fish, and turtles. Listing things.
• I really wanted cereal this morning, but I didn’t have any milk. Connecting clauses.
• Well, if you really want pancakes, I guess I can make them. Creating pauses.

What do commas connect?

Use a comma to link

an incomplete sentence with a complete sentence

. Use the Oxford comma. Use a comma between two coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. Use a comma to highlight additional, non-essential information about a noun.