Lesson 366

Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

Use a comma before the co-ordinateEqual in rank or importance. conjunctionsA conjunction is a word that joins other words, phrases (groups of words), or clauses (groups of words with a subjects and verb). Source: Lesson 76 that join independent clausesA clause is a group of words having a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence.
Source: Lesson 246 in a compound sentenceA compound sentence combines two or more independent clauses.
Source: Lesson 294. (Very short clauses joined by and may omit the comma.)

Example:
Harry will leave on the next flight, but you will join him in a week.
You wash and I will dry.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. She walked and he ran.

no comma needed

2. I went to New York by train but I returned by plane.

I went to New York by train, but I returned by plane.

3. I neither like you nor will I assist you in your request.

I neither like you, nor will I assist you in your request.

4. He will have to help or the project will not be completed.

He will have to help, or the project will not be completed.

5. The boss will be here tomorrow and we will ask for a raise.

The boss will be here tomorrow, and we will ask for a raise.