Jul 1, 2023 · A comma normally follows a participial phrase that introduces a sentence: Grabbing her umbrella, Kate raced out of the house. Confused by her sister’s sudden change in mood, Jill stayed quiet. When an adverbial phrase begins a sentence, it’s often followed by a comma, but it doesn’t have to be, especially if it’s short. As a rule of ...

Jun 1, 2023 · A comma splice happens when you join two complete sentences with a comma and no conjunction. Here are three ways to fix it.

Oct 14, 2024 · In British English, punctuation marks are placed outside the quotation marks unless they are part of the original quotation. The following rules and examples focus on American English. Using commas with quotation marks. Place a comma inside the quotation marks at the end of a quoted phrase.

Dec 5, 2024 · A semicolon is a punctuation mark that links closely related ideas within a sentence or separates items in a complex list. It functions as a pause that is longer than a comma but shorter than a period.

Jun 29, 2023 · The exception to this rule is imperative sentences (commands), which only need a verb. We can assume the subject is the person the speaker is talking to. Stop! This single word is a complete sentence. The verb is stop, and no subject is necessary because it’s a command.

Jan 15, 2025 · Learn what conjunctions are and how to use them with these rules and examples. Explore how coordinating, correlative, and subordinating conjunctions work.

Feb 17, 2023 · As long as there’s already a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun, you can place independent and dependent clauses right next to each other in a sentence. If the dependent clause comes first, add a comma between the two clauses. If the independent clause comes first, no comma is necessary.

Apr 25, 2023 · A colon is a punctuation mark that’s used to connect sentences, put emphasis on a word or phrase, or introduce a quote or explanation. The rules for using a colon can change depending on how you use it, and we’ll explain how in a moment, but the two things it connects (be that a list or sentences) must be closely related.

Can complex sentences have commas in them? If so, when should you use them? Let’s tackle this important question using helpful examples.

Feb 14, 2025 · Compound sentences usually use a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction, which are small words used to connect other words and phrases in a sentence. You might remember coordinating conjunctions as the FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.