Comma Lesson
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
Comma Lesson
Rule: Use a comma to separate two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction–and, or, but, for, nor.
Example: He thought quickly, but he still did not answer correctly.
Now, let’s look at a slightly different situation.
Rule 1 – If the subject does not appear in front of the second verb, do not use a comma.
Example: He thought quickly but still did not answer correctly.
Rule 2 – Use commas to introduce or interrupt direct quotations shorter than three lines.
Examples:
He actually said, “I do not care.”
“Why,” I asked, “do you always forget to do it?”
Pop Quiz
Choose the correct sentence.
1A. She went to the mall and she found the perfect pair of shoes to wear at the wedding.
1B. She went to the mall, and she found the perfect pair of shoes to wear at the wedding.
2A. She went to the mall and found the perfect pair of shoes to wear at the wedding.
2B. She went to the mall, and found the perfect pair of shoes to wear at the wedding.
3A. “Baseball” Yogi Berra said “is ninety percent mental, and the other half is physical.”
3B. “Baseball” Yogi Berra said, “is ninety percent mental, and the other half is physical.”
3C. “Baseball,” Yogi Berra said, “is ninety percent mental, and the other half is physical.”
Pop Quiz Answers
1B. She went to the mall, and she found the perfect pair of shoes to wear at the wedding.
2A. She went to the mall and found the perfect pair of shoes to wear at the wedding.
3C. “Baseball,” Yogi Berra said, “is ninety percent mental, and the other half is physical.”
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Can these sentences
He thought quickly, but he still did not answer correctly.
In this sentence can it also be assumed that the he are two different people
He thought quickly but still did not answer correctly.
and here the he is one and the same person
No, in both cases the sentences are referring to only one person.
Greetings, very useful website, and at the top of Google’s hit list.
I was looking for confirmation that a colon should be used in writing direct discourse. He said: “This is what I want to do.”
Maybe I’m old fashioned. Don’t bother to tell me.
A comma is usually sufficient to introduce concise direct quotations. He said, “This is what I want to do.” (Please see Rule 13a of our Commas section online or in The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation.)
A colon is generally used to introduce a long quotation. (Rule 5 of Colons)
Remarks, such as “Oh there’s my good boy,” or “Look at my big helper!” dishonor his integrity.
Should there be a comma, a period, or nothing after BOY, but before the quotation mark?
A comma is correct.