How To Use Commas For Dummies

Commas can be used to break up sentences that have more than one clause and make them easier to read.

How to use commas for dummies. For example the duck that attacked me scared my friend doesn t require any commas. When the last comma in a series is placed before and or or it is known as the serial comma or oxford comma. Never put a comma in front of the first item on the list. When albert saw the food his tummy started to rumble. We use them to separate three or more items in a series.

Because when you say and you ve already separated the last two items. In direct address use commas to separate the name from the rest of the sentence. Pack an extra swimsuit a towel sunglasses sunscreen three bottles of water lip balm and an umbrella. Usually commas surround a non essential clause or phrase. Commas are mostly used.

It also makes it easier to decide whether to insert commas because if you follow the american rules you can remember that commas should not precede that but they should precede which. When listing items in succession. The comma in front of the word and is optional. Comma rules are the subject of much confusion and even heated debate such as whether or not to use the oxford comma. Even though the phrase that attacked me describes.

Do you want eggs bacon and toast or pancakes fruit and sausage. Learning how to use commas correctly will make your writing clearer easier to read and more professional looking. Albert got used to the blue spots but. You need commas between each item on the list with one important exception. But if you want to throw an extra comma there you re welcome to do so.

Just remember the word fanboys. They bought books pens staples and erasers. Comma usage cheat sheet. Not all writers use this. Commas separate words and phrases in a list.