Use coordinating conjunctions to indicate that the elements they join are equal in importance and in structure. Show Definition of Coordinating ConjunctionsCoordinating conjunctions join grammatically similar elements (two nouns, two verbs, two modifiers, two independent clauses):
How to punctuate coordinating conjunctionsWhen a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses, a comma is used before the coordinating conjunction (unless the two independent clauses are very short). Conjunctions that are not followed by non-essential elements should never be followed by commas.
When either independent clause in a compound sentence contains a comma to set off introductory or non-essential elements, a reader may be confused by a comma before a coordinating conjunction. In this case, a semicolon may replace the comma.
When NOT to punctuate coordinating conjunctionsIf a sentence begins with a coordinating conjunction, it is not followed by a comma
Commas are not used between two verbs, two subjects, two complements, or two objects joined by a coordinating conjunction.
— All examples taken from “Facing Up to Sticker Shock,” Time (April 20, 1987), 70. What is missing from these sentences? I will not revise the draft at this point so the final should look the same. Right! You guessed it! They are missing the comma before the coordinating conjunction. (Wasn’t that just on the tip of your tongue?) We are not going into the whole rigmarole about coordinating and subordinating conjunctions. We will focus here on one kind of conjunction and its pal, the comma. In the Worktalk business writing training, we explain that commas serve three functions. They introduce, separate, and enclose.
As you can see, commas separate many things. One of their main roles is to separate independent clauses that are connected by a coordinating conjunction. In plain English, an independent clause is a group of words that has a noun and a verb (subject and predicate), and that can stand alone. It represents a distinct thought. A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects parts of a sentence that are of the same order or rank. These conjunctions often connect independent clauses. Coordinating conjunctions spell out the acronym FANBOYS. Place a comma before these conjunctions.The comma represents a pause between the thoughts. The FANBOYS conjunctions are:
FANBOYS Sentences
Writers often omit these commas. This lack of punctuation leads the reader to plunge headlong through the sentence without seeing where she can look up, take a breath, or parse the sentence into its component thoughts. Commas are our friends: They tell the reader’s eye which words belong together. In future Writamins, we will explore more facets of the magical world of commas. For now, just remember to put a comma before your FANBOYS. For a more comprehensive description of comma usages, see Purdue OWL’s web site at https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/02/ Where does the comma go in fanboys?The fanboys operate under two basic rules: (1) when the fanboys connect two ideas that could each be a sentence on its own, then we put a comma in front of the fanboys, and (2) when the fanboys do not connect two ideas that could each be a sentence, then we do not put a comma in front of the fanboys.
What words do commas go before?Comma Rules. 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.. Do commas come before or after Which?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.
Where should commas go correctly?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.. |