![]() (Correct: Semicolon) Use a comma to set apart nonrestrictive material. I sat in my designated spot my brother sat beside me. I sat in my designated spot, and my brother sat beside me. I sat in my designated spot, my brother sat beside me. Joining two complete sentences with a comma is called a comma splice. ![]() You must join them either with a comma and a conjunction or with a semicolon, or you can make them two separate sentences. When you have two complete sentences-with two subjects and two verbs-you need more than a comma to separate them. Use a comma and a conjunction to join two independent clauses. When a dependent clause begins a sentence, a comma must follow it:īecause we jumped in the pool, we were soaked. If you were to say a dependent clause out loud, people would expect you to say more: Use a comma to join a dependent clause to an independent clause when the dependent clause is first.Ī dependent clause is a clause with a subject and verb that can’t stand alone because of its first word (often one of the words from the first list above). ![]() After the race came the victory lap.Īt night the stars come out. Running the race is the fulfillment of his dream. However, if you’re in doubt, use a comma. You can tell if you need a comma by whether you pause while reading the introductory element out loud. A comma is also sometimes optional after certain prepositional phrases. Such a case occurs if the introduction is serving as the subject of the sentence or if the sentence uses inverted word order. When a verb immediately follows an introductory element, however, don’t use a comma. She was free as a bird, flying through the colorful fields. ![]() Running through the meadow, she ignored the demands of school. Participles are often used with the above introductory words, but they can also stand alone. A participle is a verb ending in –ing that acts as an adjective. Finally, a comma is used to separate a participial phrase from an independent clause. ![]()
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