Is there a comma before or when listing?

Is there a comma before or when listing?

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.

When listing things do you use a comma?

An Oxford Comma is a comma used before the last list item in a list of three or more items. When there are three or more list items, then those following “US convention” should use a comma (often called an Oxford Comma) with the conjunction (usually “and” or “or”).

When listing three do you use a comma?

Use commas to separate three or more items in a series. Lists of three or more words, phrases, and clauses require commas between each item. For example: a. The fox shouts, cackles, and yells.

When listing three things do you use a comma?

When should a comma not be used?

Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning with that (relative clauses). That clauses after nouns are always essential. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential.

What is the rule for commas in a series?

COMMA RULE #1 – THE COMMA IN A SERIES: Use commas to separate items in a series. What is a ”series”? A “series” is a list of 3 or more items, the last two of which are joined by and, or, or nor.

Can a sentence have two commas?

You can use two commas for three items, or if you’re like me you obsess over the Oxford Comma. That’s the little comma that can be arguable both necessary and unnecessary, and is after the last item listed in the series. I think it’s crucial.

Do you have to use a comma between two independent clauses?

To combine two independent clauses (complete sentences), use a semicolon or a comma and conjunction. To attach a dependent clause, use a comma if it comes before the independent clause; use no comma if it comes after the independent clause, unless it is a “contrast word” (although, though, even though, whereas).

Do I need a comma between two independent clauses?

Two independent clauses can also be joined into one compound sentence with a semicolon alone. Thus, it can separate two independent clauses by itself; a comma cannot separate two independent clauses unless it is followed by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).

How do you join two independent clauses?

A comma plus one of the coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) will successfully connect two independent clauses and will create a relationship between the clauses that they connect. independent clauses. 2. A simple semicolon (;) can connect two independent clauses.

When do you use the listing comma in a list?

The Listing Comma. The listing comma is used as a kind of substitute for the word and, or sometimes for or. It occurs in two slightly different circumstances. First, it is used in a list when three or more words, phrases or even complete sentences are joined by the word and or or; we might call this construction an X, Y and Z list:

When do you use the Oxford comma in a list?

( There are a few exceptions that require you to use the Oxford comma in a list, but they are pretty rare.) Just be consistent. Don’t switch back and forth in the same document between using the Oxford comma and not using it. By the way, this rule only applies to lists of three or more items.

When to use a comma before or after an item?

Cleo will wear a sparkly red blazer and high heels. When a subject or object is made up of two items and the second item is parenthetical, you can set off the second item with commas—one before it and one after it. But you don’t need a comma when you’re simply listing two items.

When to use commas in a list of adjectives?

Especially in creative writing, there is a need to use several adjectives. The rules about using commas in a list of adjectives are far more relaxed. For example: For TWO adjectives: vast, inhospitable moor (with a comma) vast and inhospitable moor (with and) vast inhospitable moor (with nothing) For THREE or more adjectives:

How do you use commas with a list?

Use commas when writing a list of at least three words, phrases or clauses in a sentence. Place a comma between each item in the list, unless you are writing in Associated Press style . In that case, you would not place a comma before the “and” that joins the final two items.

When should you put a comma?

Commas are necessary before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) that separates two independent clauses. Commas are necessary after introductory words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence.

Do you use a colon or semicolon when listing?

When to Use a Semicolon. A semicolon is used to separate two ideas (two independent clauses) that are closely related. They can also be used when listing complex ideas or phrases that use commas within them. Essentially, a semicolon is like a comma with more meaning or a colon with more flexibility.

When should one use commas for punctuation?

Commas don’t just signify pauses in a sentence – precise rules govern when to use this punctuation mark. Commas are needed before coordinating conjunctions, after dependent clauses (when they precede independent clauses), and to set off appositives. The Oxford comma reduces ambiguity in lists. Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.