Asked by: Jonathan Powell

If you have two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction, always use a comma. Again, AP Style’s ruling is subjective; there is no universal rule that determines how long a clause must be before it requires a comma.

Do you put a comma before which in AP style?

Use a comma before which when it introduces a nonrestrictive phrase. Don’t use a comma before which when it’s part of a prepositional phrase, such as “in which.” Don’t use a comma before which when it introduces an indirect question.

Do you put a comma between two clauses?

Rule: Use a comma between two independent clauses when conjunctions such as and, or, but, for, nor connect them. Example: I have painted the entire house, but she is still working on sanding the floors. Rule: If the clauses are short (your call), then leave out the comma.

Does AP style require Oxford comma?

AP Style—the style guide that newspaper reporters adhere to—does not require the use of the Oxford comma. The sentence above written in AP style would look like this: Please bring me a pencil, eraser and notebook. Here’s a tip: Commas can be tricky, but they don’t have to trip you up.

Do you put a comma after a name in AP style?

When the title is placed after the person’s name, offset the title with commas and each word is lowercase. If the title is not a formal title, each word is lowercase. If the title is long, offset it with commas after the name or place it in front of the name with a comma.

Do you use a comma between dependent and independent clauses?

If the dependent clause is first (again, rather like an introduction to the main clause), it is followed by a comma (like in this sentence and the next). If the independent clause comes first, no punctuation separates the two.

What are the 8 rules for commas?

Commas (Eight Basic Uses)

• 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.

Should there be a comma between name and title?

Titles before a name are capitalized and have no comma. Titles after a name are lowercase.

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.

Can you put a comma before and in a sentence?

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.

Should there be a 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 I need a comma in this sentence?

Common Comma Uses



The following are the different circumstances that require a comma be used. Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction that links two independent clauses. Use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence. Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence.

Where do commas go 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.

How do you use commas in a list of things?

Use a listing comma in a list wherever you could conceivably use the word and (or or) instead. Do not use a listing comma anywhere else. Put a listing comma before and or or only if this is necessary to make your meaning clear.

How do you use commas in a list of four?

Rule 1. 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 is the rule for commas?

Quick Guide to Commas



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 is clause give an example?

A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb that are normally used to add more detail to the noun in a sentence. A subject is a noun or pronoun in the sentence, while the verb is the action. An example of this clause is: The shiny, blue car raced around the track.

Do we put comma after and?

If, for example, the word ‘and’ precedes a clause beginning ‘although’, you usually put a comma after it and, if it precedes a conditional clause, you normally insert a comma as well.

What are clauses in a sentence?

Definition of clause



1 : a group of words containing a subject and predicate and functioning as a member of a complex (see complex entry 2 sense 1b(2)) or compound (see compound entry 3 sense 3b) sentence The sentence “When it rained they went inside” consists of two clauses: “when it rained” and “they went inside.”

What are the 7 types of clauses?

Using clauses well helps you create complex sentence patterns that are interesting to those reading your writing.

• Independent Clause. The independent clause is the main clause in the sentence. …
• Subordinate Clause. …
• Adjective Clause. …
• Adverbial Clause. …
• Noun Clause. …
• Relative Clause. …
• Conditional Clause.

What are the 5 types of clause?

Now let’s see about the classification of clauses in various ways.

• Independent Clauses. Clauses that are not influenced by any other sentences. …
• Dependent Clauses. Dependent clauses can’t be functional alone for the sentence completion meaningfully. …
• Adjective Clauses. …
• Noun Clauses. …
• Adverbial Clauses.

How do you add clauses in a sentence?

It is important to note that both the subject. And the verb is required to form a clause if. You only have either a subject or a verb the group of words may form a phrase.

What is the 10 example of clause?

Examples of Phrases and Clauses

What is a 2 clause sentence?

What type of sentence contains two main clauses? A sentence made up of two main clauses is a compound sentence. Compound sentences include two or more independent clauses combined with a comma, a semicolon or a coordinating conjunction.