Definitions
What is a comma?
A symbol to indicate a pause in a sentence.
Where should I put the comma?
Terry was going to butter his bread but he dropped the knife.
Terry was going to butter his bread, but he dropped the knife.
When would I use the conjunction BUT?
When I am connecting two ideas that contrast, causally.
The cat wanted to eat the fish. The fish was protected by the fish tank.
The cat wanted to eat the fish, but the fish was protected by the fish tank.
The flowers were wilting. Jeff had not watered them in several days.
The flowers were wilting, for Jeff had not watered them in several days.
What is a predicate?
The part of a sentence or clause containing a verb and stating something about the subject
Where should I put the comma?
Chip lost his keys so he asked his friend Fred for help finding them.
Chip lost his keys, so he asked his friend Fred for help finding them.
When would I use the conjunction OR?
When I am connecting two ideas by comparing them.
I wanted to get coffee at the bagel shop. I wanted to later get flowers for my mom.
I wanted to get coffee at the bagel shop, and I wanted to later get flowers for my mom.
This couch matches with the rest of my living room. I bought it.
This couch matches with the rest of my living room, so I bought it.
What is a conjunction?
A word to connect words, clauses, and sentences.
Where should I put the comma?
Velma could not see anything for she dropped her glasses.
Velma could not see anything, for she dropped her glasses.
When would I use the conjunction YET?
When I am connecting two ideas that contrast but with great emphasis.
I could get this T-shirt. I could get this dress.
I could get this T-shirt, or I could get this dress.
He broke both of his legs. He still inists on running the race.
He broke both of his legs, yet he still inists on running the race.
What makes a Complete Sentence?
Needs a subject and predicate or is a complete thought.
Where should I put the comma?
The glass fell to the ground yet it did not break.
The glass fell to the ground, yet it did not break.
When would I use the conjunction SO?
When I am connecting two ideas but want to qualify the first idea with the second idea. Result
The city held an community cookout and fireworks display. It was the 4th of July!
The city held an community cookout and fireworks display, for it was the 4th of July!
My sister harvested apples. She could make apple pie.
My sister harvested apples, so she could make apple pie.
What makes a sentence fragment?
A sentence that is missing either a subject or a verb and is not a complete thought.
Where should I put the comma?
I will not be going to the concert nor will I go to the movie theatre.
I will not be going to the concert, nor will I go to the movie theatre.
When would I use the conjunction NOR?
When I am connecting two subseqent negative ideas.
I do not like milk. I do not like yogurt.
I do not like milk, nor do I like yogurt.
I do not want to start reading. I do not want to start writing.
I do not want to start reading, nor do I want to start writing.