comma rule 2
DESCRIPTION
This handy rule will help you punctuate sentences with and, but, and other coordinating conjunctions.TRANSCRIPT
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Writing Better Sentences: Comma
Rule 2
by Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.
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Writing Better Sentences: Comma
Rule 2
by Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.
![Page 3: Comma Rule 2](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022061214/5499faecb4795927738b45b4/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
English teachers call them coordinating conjunctions...
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…but we can also call them “the Magnificent Seven.”
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Another name for them is the FANBOYS words.
It’s easy to see where that name comes from.
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They’re the words for Comma Rule 2.
It’s a handy rule you’ll probably use almost every day.
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Comma Rule 2 Examples
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You should keep all seven FANBOYS words handy.But most of the time you’ll use only two of them:
andbut
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Comma Rule 2 is all about the number “2.”
You’re joining 2 sentences…
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And most of the time you’ll be using only 2 words:
andbut
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Let’s look at some Comma Rule 2 sentences:
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Notice that and or but joins each pair of sentences:
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Here are more sentence pairs joined byand or but and a comma:
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You must have TWO sentences to use the comma.
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If you don’t have two sentences, don’t use the comma.
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Are there two sentences? No—just one. “Ran across the field” isn’t a sentence.
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Now you have two sentences: “he ran across the field” IS a sentence.
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Remember: You need 2 sentences if you’re going to use a comma.
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Take a look at these examples.
“Didn’t find any” isn’t a sentence.“I didn’t find any” is a sentence.
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Take a look at these examples.“Didn’t see anyone” isn’t a sentence. Neither is “saw bloodstains on the carpet.”
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Try this one yourself. Which sentence needs a comma?
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Answer: The second one. It has two sentences joined by and.“Saw that Habib was telling the truth” isn’t a sentence.
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Take a look at these. Which one needs a comma?
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Answer: The first one.“Bruises on his left cheek” isn’t a sentence.“There were bruises on his left cheek” IS a sentence.
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There are a few more things you need to know.
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The FANBOYS words (the “Magnificent Seven”) are the ONLY words that join sentences with commas.
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Don’t try to use other words to join sentences. They won’t do the job.
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If you don’t have a FANBOYS word, a comma won’t do the job. Use a period instead.
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Remember: If you don’t have a FANBOYS word, a comma won’t work.Use a period.
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Here are a few more examples.
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Let’s review.
Comma Rule 2 is about joining 2 sentences with a comma and a FANBOYS word.
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The FANBOYS words are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
Most of the time you’ll be using and and but.
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Make sure you know what a sentence looks like.
“I drove my car” is a sentence.
“Drove my car” is not.
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Remember: If it’s not a FANBOYS word, it can’t join two sentences with a comma.
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Let’s try one more example. Which one needs a comma?
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Answer: The second one. “Called 911” isn’t a sentence.
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Looking for and and but, and thinking about Comma Rule 2, is a great way to improve your writing skills.
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And there you have it!
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