Conjunctions and Commas
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We use conjunctions
to connect words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence. This creates "parallel structure."
Examples:
- Steve and his friend are coming to dinner. (noun + and + noun)
- Susan raised her hand and snapped her fingers. (verb + and + verb)
- He is waving his arms and (is) shouting at us. (verb +and + verb)
- These shoes are old but comfortable. (adjective + but + adjective)
- He wants to watch TV or (to) listen to some music. (infinitive + or + infinitive)
- I don't like rain nor snow. (noun + nor + noun)
- I searched under the table and on top of the refrigerator for my wallet. (prepositional phrase + and + prepositional phrase)
- My boss likes people who come to work on time, who are productive, and who take little vacation time. (3 noun clauses joined with and)
Sometimes we need commas to separate parallel items in a sentence. Here is the comma rule:
- No comma to separate two items in a list or two parts of a parallel sentence.
- Commas ARE required to separate three or more items in a list or parts of a parallel sentence.
|
CORRECT Comma Use |
INCORRECT Comma Use |
|---|---|
|
Steve and Joe are in class. |
Steve, and Joe are in class. |
|
Steve, Joe, and Andy are in class.* |
Steve Joe and Andy are in class. |
|
My favorite fruits are apples and oranges. |
My favorite fruits are apples, and oranges. |
|
My favorite fruits are apples, oranges, and bananas.* |
My favorite fruits are apples oranges and bananas. |
*Note: Using a comma before the last item in a list is optional. Both sentences below use commas correctly.
- My favorite fruits are apples, oranges,and bananas.
- My favorite fruits are apples, oranges_and bananas.
Try this Quiz Group to test your knowledge of comma rules.
