Should a comma go before and/or after?

Should a comma go before and/or after?

If the word “and” is used to join two independent clauses, then there should be a comma before the “and” and never after it. You might want to include a comma after the “and”, but this is never correct.

What is the comma rule for items in a series?

Commas are used to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series. This means that when three or more items are being listed in a sentence, a comma goes between each item in the list. For example: John went to the grocery store and bought bread, milk, butter, macaroni and cheese.

Does the comma go before or after however?

Use a semi-colon (;) before and a comma (,) after however when you are using it to write a compound sentence. If ‘however’ is used to begin a sentence, it must be followed by a comma, and what appears after the comma must be a complete sentence. However, there was no need to repeat the data entry.

How do you list a series in a sentence?

Example of sentences containing items in a series:

  1. For breakfast, I had cereal, juice, and toast.
  2. My best friends are Paul, Amanda, and Quinn.
  3. The moon, the stars, and the sun all appear in the sky.
  4. Brush your teeth, wash your face, and go to bed.

How do you use commas in a series?

Commas in a Series Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series. A conjunction goes between the last two items of the series. While some authorities say that the comma before the conjunction is optional, leaving it out may cause confusion, so it is better to include it.

When to use a comma?

– Commas to introduce a sentence. If you introduce a sentence with a transition word (e.g. however, hence , indeed, furthermore ), follow it with a comma. – Dependent vs independent clauses. A clause is a group of words that contains at least a subject and a verb. Sentences are often made up of several clauses. – Commas in compound sentences. A compound sentence contains more than one independent clause. – Avoid the comma splice. Two independent clauses should never be joined by a comma alone. This error is called a comma splice. – Restrictive vs nonrestrictive clauses. Sometimes the extra information added by a dependent clause is essential to the meaning of the main clause. – Avoid splitting subjects from verbs. To avoid comma mistakes, pay attention to the function of different words in your sentences and their relation to each other. – Avoid splitting compound subjects or objects. When two subjects or objects are connected to one verb, make sure not to separate them with a comma. – Avoid splitting compound predicates. The predicate is the part of a sentence that contains the verb. – Serial commas. In lists, commas are used to separate each item, and the last item is separated by a conjunction ( and , or ).

What are examples of commas?

Commas. 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.

When to use comma before “and”?

Whether the and is linking two independent clauses

  • If the and is separating items in a list or series
  • Whether you’re using an Oxford (or serial) comma
  • If a pause is necessary
  • What style guide you’re following
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