Rule Definitions and Concepts
To separate three or more items in a list, you must use this punctuation mark.
What is a comma?
Fix the missing commas: "We need to bring pencils paper and binders to class."
"We need to bring pencils, paper, and binders to class."
Fix the punctuation for this transition word: "Therefore the project is due on Friday."
"Therefore, the project is due on Friday."
Where does the comma go? "The bell rang so the students packed up their bags."
Before the FANBOYS word: "The bell rang, so the students packed up their bags."
Fix this sentence: "Suddenly a loud scary noise woke me up."
"Suddenly, a loud, scary noise woke me up."
What does the acronym FANBOYS stand for, and how many are you allowed to use in a single sentence to avoid a run-on?
For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. You are only allowed to use ONE per sentence.
Test this phrase: "The loud rusty gate slammed shut." Can you put the word "and" between loud and rusty? Does it make sense if you flip them? Do we need a comma?
Yes, "loud and rusty" makes sense, and "rusty, loud gate" works. Therefore, it needs a comma: "The loud, rusty gate..."
Where does the comma go in this sentence, and why? "Under the kitchen table the dog hid from the thunderstorm."
After "table" ("Under the kitchen table,...") because it is a prepositional phrase starting the sentence.
Why does this sentence NOT need a comma? "The player ran fast but tripped near the goal line."
Because "tripped near the goal line" is not a complete sentence (it has no subject), so it's not a compound sentence.
Fix this sentence: "Before we leave for vacation we need to pack clothes shoes and toothbrushes."
"Before we leave for vacation, we need to pack clothes, shoes, and toothbrushes."
What do we call two or more adjectives that describe the same noun with equal importance?
What are Equal Adjectives?
Is this sentence correct or incorrect? "The long, math test took the whole period."
Incorrect. "Long" and "math" are not equal adjectives (you wouldn't say "the math long test"). No comma is needed.
Does this sentence need a comma? "Because she studied all night, Jessica aced the quiz."
Yes, it is already correct! The comma is needed because the dependent clause ("Because she studied all night") starts the sentence.
Fix this run-on sentence by using the "Only One FANBOYS" rule: "I went to the store and I bought a snack and I walked home and I ate it."
"I went to the store and bought a snack. Then, I walked home, and I ate it."
What is the comma mistake here? "In the morning, I like to drink juice, and eat toast."
The comma before "and" shouldn't be there because "eat toast" is not a complete sentence.
Complete the rule: When a prepositional phrase or a dependent clause _________ a sentence, you must put a comma after it.
What is Starts (or begins)?
Put the commas in the right places: "The slimy creepy bug crawled across the table."
"The slimy, creepy bug crawled across the table." (Slimy and creepy are equal adjectives).
Flip this sentence so that it starts with the dependent clause and requires a comma: "I will go to the park if it stops raining."
"If it stops raining, I will go to the park."
Turn these two complete sentences into one correct compound sentence: "The football game was exciting. Our team lost in the final seconds."
"The football game was exciting, but/yet our team lost in the final seconds."
Correct this sentence: "Although basketball is my favorite sport I also like soccer and baseball is fun too."
"Although basketball is my favorite sport, I also like soccer, and baseball is fun too."
What is a compound sentence, and what two things do you need to join the two complete sentences together?
A compound sentence combines two complete sentences. You need a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).
Look closely at this sentence and find the three missing commas: "The tired hungry students packed up their backpacks walked out the door and boarded the bus."
What is: "The tired, hungry students packed up their backpacks, walked out the door, and boarded the bus."?
Identify the error in this sentence: "First, we went to the movies, then, we got ice cream."
"Then" is a transition word, but this is a run-on/comma splice. It should be: "First, we went to the movies. Then, we got ice cream."
Is this sentence correct or incorrect, and why? "I love reading books, it helps me relax."
Incorrect. This is a comma splice (a type of run-on). You cannot join two complete sentences with just a comma; you need a FANBOYS word after the comma (e.g., ", for it helps me relax").
Find all three comma mistakes in this sentence: "In the deep dark woods I saw a bear but it ran away."
1. Comma after the introductory prepositional phrase ("woods").
2. Comma between the equal adjectives ("deep, dark").
3. Comma before the FANBOYS word ("but").
Correct version: "In the deep, dark woods, I saw a bear, but it ran away."