Scarborough BS - Using Commas

Here are some basic sentence punctuation rules on the comma.

A sentence is made up of “Independent Clauses” and “Dependant Clauses”.

An “Independent Clause” is independent if it makes sense by itself.

A “Dependant Clause” requires an “Independent Clause” to relate to.

General punctuation rules:

“Dependant Clause”, “Independent Clause” (Comma Required)

“Independent Clause” “Dependant Clause” (No comma required)

“Independent Clause”, “Dependant Clause”, “Independent Clause” (Commas Required)

Note that the independent clause is split by the dependent clause

“Independent Clause” , joining word * “Independent Clause”

(Comma optional)

* and, but

Examples:

Because he was late, he missed the train.

“Dependant Clause”, “Independent Clause” (Comma Required)

Therefore, we delivered the goods today.

“Dependant Clause”, “Independent Clause” (Comma Required)

He missed the train because he was late.

“Independent Clause” “Dependant Clause” (No comma required)

The person she plans to hire, I believe, is Peter.

“Independent Clause”, “Dependant Clause”, “Independent Clause”

(Commas Required) Independent clause is split

He was big, but he wasn't fat.

“Independent Clause”, “Joining word ” “Independent Clause”

(Comma optional) two independent clauses joined