Comma Usage
Why is there a comma in the following sentence:
She got on the horse, and it rode into the sunset.
Compound Sentence
The best country in the world is Somaliland and no one can tell me different!
The best country in the world is Somaliland, and no one can tell me different!
Before I took my lunch break I sent an email to my boss.
Before I took my lunch break, I sent an email to my boss.
Ice cream is my favorite dessert, and chocolate is my favorite flavor.
compound sentence
The frog jumped into the pond
Independent clause: The frog jumped into the pond
Why is there a comma in the following sentence:
After he got home from school, he took a nap.
Complex Sentence (with dependent clause before the independent clause)
The mountains valleys and deserts of Somaliland make it a beautiful nation.
The mountains, valleys, and deserts of Somaliland make it a beautiful nation. (second comma optional)
She sent the gift to her mother who will turn 60 next week.
She sent the gift to her mother, who will turn 60 next week.
The parents washed the dishes while the children played.
Complex sentence
The queen waved from her balcony, and the crowds below cheered.
Independent clause: The queen waved from her balcony
Independent clause: the crowds below cheered
Why are there commas in the following sentence:
My grocery list included apples, bananas, and oranges, but there were no oranges.
List and compound sentence
I visited Berbera which will soon be the largest port in the Horn of Africa on February 22 2020.
I visited Berbera, which will soon be the largest port in the Horn of Africa, on February 22, 2020.
The horse that the cowboy was riding bucked and before he knew it he was face first in the mud.
The horse that the cowboy was riding bucked, and before he knew it, he was face first in the mud.
The ugly, evil monster laughed and told its victims that it would torture, kill, and eat them all for breakfast.
Simple sentence
I did my homework after returning from school.
Independent clause: I did my homework
Dependent clause: after returning from school
Why are there commas in the following sentence:
The dark, hairy spider, which was about the size of my face, crept across the bedroom.
Two adjectives; nonrestrictive relative clause
Although the people who live in Hargeisa are friendly she prefers to stay in Burco and that is where her family lives.
Although the people who live in Hargeisa are friendly, she prefers to stay in Burco, and that is where her family lives.
Although she was usually shy the timid softspoken girl decided to change and that day she was the loudest in the class.
Although she was usually shy, the timid, softspoken girl decided to change, and that day she was the loudest in the class.
Before the launch, the pilot of the space shuttle, who had prepared years for this moment, began to get nervous, which was a feeling he was not used to.
Complex sentence
The businessman who wasn't feeling well that day decided to cancel the meeting, but that made his clients unhappy.
Independent clause: The businessman decided to cancel the meeting
Relative clause: who wasn't feeling well that day
Independent clause: that made his clients unhappy
Why are there commas in the following sentence:
Although he did not finish his second term, Abraham Lincoln, who was the sixteenth president of the United States, is one of the most famous, recognizable, and successful presidents.
complex sentence; nonrestrictive relative clause; list
After spending the day on the white sandy beaches of Berbera I visited a museum ate some Indian food which was delicious and enjoyed the sunset but I missed home.
After spending the day on the white, sandy beaches of Berbera, I visited a museum, ate some Indian food, which was delicious, and enjoyed the sunset, but I missed home.
While the firefighter who saved my life is a true brave hero he refused any public recognition for his sacrifice which I think is also honorable.
While the firefighter who saved my life is a true, brave hero, he refused any public recognition for his sacrifice, which I think is also honorable.
After landing successfully on the moon, the astronauts slowly walked out onto the surface, and the view of the Earth was astonishing.
Compound-complex sentence
When she took the stage, which was illuminated by a single spotlight, the crowd roared with applause, and although this made her nervous for a second, she began playing her violin, which made her more comfortable.
Dependent clause: when she took the stage
Relative clause: which was illuminated by a single spotlight
Independent clause: the crowd roared with applause
Dependent clause: although this made her nervous for a second
Independent clause: she began playing her violin
Relative clause: which made her more comfortable