A comma (,) is a punctuation mark used to denote a pause in a phrase. Additionally, it is employed to indicate the places of thousands in a huge numeral and to divide items in a list. You must recognize and comprehend each sentence's component parts in order to decide if a comma is necessary. On the ACT, commas are regularly evaluated; occasionally, up to 11 of the test's 75 questions will be specifically about comma rules. It's crucial that you understand and follow the following guidelines.

Separate independent clauses with a comma + FANBOYS

A coordinating conjunction connects words, phrases, or clauses that are of equal importance in the sentence. You can remember the coordinating conjunctions through the acronym FANBOYS:

For

And

Nor

But

Or

Yet

So

Use commas when you list three or more items in a series

You need to include an oxford comma (the comma before the "and" in the example sentence) on the ACT. Though your teachers or other published writings may not require them, the ACT uses the oxford comma to prevent any ambiguous meanings that could arise from excluding it. For example:

Use a comma to separate non-essential information

A phrase, clause, or word that may be removed from a sentence without changing its meaning is referred to as non-essential information. Complete sentences can contain non-essential information at their beginning, middle, or conclusion.

Again, identifying your subject, verb, and object is the first step in figuring out whether a sentence is vital or not. Knowing the entire notion will help you determine whether a phrase, sentence or word is required.

Subjects need to follow introductory phrases

If your sentence begins with an introductory phrase, then you need to ensure that the subject follows the comma.

Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives

Coordinate adjectives are used when two adjectives change a noun in the same way. If a coordinating conjunction were not used, we would separate coordinate adjectives with a comma (one of the FANBOYS). There is no need for a comma while using FANBOYS.

Using commas with quotations

You will generally separate a quotation from its source.

Using commas in dates, addresses, and more

You should keep the commas that are used in content that typically utilizes them to separate paragraphs. Dates, places, phones, and other information are included.

Do not use commas with subordinating conjunctions

You shouldn't use a comma when an independent clause is followed by a subordinating conjunction (a word or phrase connecting a dependent clause to an independent clause). The word "subordinate" comes from the fact that a subordinating conjunction needs a whole sentence to function.

Because it serves to demonstrate cause and effect, "because" is the simplest subordinating conjunction to explain. A clause that starts with "because" is insufficient on its own.