Mastering Commas in Compound Sentences
From the UWF Writing Lab’s 101 Grammar Mini-Lessons
Series
Mini-Lesson #34
The prospectors hoped to find gold on the
rocky slopes of the towering Sierra Madre,
so
they set out eagerly.
I laughed and I cried.
The river had dried up and looked as if it would
stay dry for a long time.
(Here,
and
connects a compound verb,
had
dried
up
and
looked
.)
The writers and editors look at their subjects with
unblinking eyes.
(
And
connects a compound subject,
writers
and
editors
.)
Learn how to effectively use commas in compound sentences and compound elements. Discover when to include commas before coordinating conjunctions that separate complete sentences and when it's appropriate to leave them out for short sentences. Understand when not to use commas when coordinating conjunctions only separate words or phrases.
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Presentation Transcript
Commas with Compound Sentences and Compound Elements From the UWF Writing Lab s 101 Grammar Mini-Lessons Series Mini-Lesson #34
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (one of the fan boys) that separates complete sentences (independent clauses): The prospectors hoped to find gold on the rocky slopes of the towering Sierra Madre, so they set out eagerly.
If the sentences being connected are short (about four words or fewer), you may leave out the comma: I laughed and I cried.
Do not use a comma when coordinating conjunctions separate only words or phrases: The river had dried up and looked as if it would stay dry for a long time. (Here, and connects a compound verb, had dried up and looked.) The writers and editors look at their subjects with unblinking eyes. (And connects a compound subject, writersand editors.)
