Comma Usage Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the essential rules of comma usage as outlined in the English 9 study guide.

Commas in a Series

Punctuation used to separate three or more items in a list, following the formula: Item, Item, and Item.

Oxford comma

The specific comma placed before the coordinating conjunction (usually "and") in a list of items.

Direct Address

The act of speaking directly to someone in a sentence, which requires setting their name or title apart with commas.

Commas with Quotation Marks

Punctuation used before a quotation when introducing what someone says; the comma usually resides inside the quotation marks.

FANBOYS

An acronym for coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Coordinating Conjunctions Rule

The requirement to use a comma before a FANBOYS word when joining two independent clauses (complete sentences).

Coordinate Adjectives

Adjectives that equally describe a noun and require a comma between them if they can be reversed or separated by the word "and."

Transitional Words and Phrases

Introductory words such as "However," "Therefore," "Consequently," and "Finally" that require a comma after them when they begin a sentence.

Restrictive Element

A word or phrase essential to the meaning of the sentence that does not require commas.

Nonrestrictive Element

A word or phrase that adds extra information to a sentence; it must be set off by commas and can be removed without changing the sentence's basic meaning.