Do commas go before or after fanboys

Use coordinating conjunctions to indicate that the elements they join are equal in importance and in structure.

Definition of Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions join grammatically similar elements (two nouns, two verbs, two modifiers, two independent clauses):

  • and
  • or
  • nor
  • so
  • but
  • for
  • yet

How to punctuate coordinating conjunctions

When 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.

Perhaps no budget is without some fat, but university officials argue that their unique function requires special standards of evaluation.

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.

The figures at elite universities, particularly, are enough to cause sticker shock; yet the current increases at many schools are the lowest in a decade.

When NOT to punctuate coordinating conjunctions

If a sentence begins with a coordinating conjunction, it is not followed by a comma

Yet the typical tenured professor’s salary of $43,500 still represents 10% less buying power than the equivalent salary in 1970.

Commas are not used between two verbs, two subjects, two complements, or two objects joined by a coordinating conjunction.

That confuses most analogies between universities and profit-making enterprises. [compound object of preposition]

Endowments and gifts make up the rest. [compound subject]

Georgetown, for example, has eliminated one-third of its graduate programs in the past five years and recently decided to close its dental school. [compound verb]

— All examples taken from “Facing Up to Sticker Shock,” Time (April 20, 1987), 70.

Do commas go before or after fanboys

What is missing from these sentences?

I will not revise the draft at this point so the final should look the same.
If not, we will send the final report by itself and you could send the original to accounting.
We would like to purchase the product but we do not have the budget right now.

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.

Introduce: As you know, we are closed on Sunday.
Once again, they won the award.
Separate: If you’re happy and you know itclap your hands.
The plumbing is new, which is an added benefit.
First I saw her walking her dog, and then I saw her duck.
Enclose: Angelawho has known me all my life, is coming with us.

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:

  • For
  • And
  • Nor
  • But
  • Or
  • Yet
  • So

FANBOYS Sentences

  • I am going to sleep, for I am tired.
  • We went to the restaurant, and then we went to the theater.
  • We are not going to the party, nor are we going to the show.
  • He would like to apply for the job, but he lacks the qualifications.
  • He is a quiet person, yet he has a lot to say when you get to know him.
  • I am hungry, so I am going to eat lunch.

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/
Or take a look at Jane Strauss’s Grammarbook.com
http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp

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..