Category: Level 4 pages

Using Semicolons in Lists So right after telling you that semicolons shouldn’t be used like commas, we should discuss one situation where the semicolon does function more like a comma. However, this is a...

Semicolons can feel a little confusing because sometimes they’re used to separate items in a series, as mentioned on the previous page, but they are really nothing like a comma. In terms of sentence...

A common noun refers to a general group or class of people, places, objects, etc. One way to identify a common noun is called the “the” test.  If you can use the noun with...

Use a comma with a coordinating conjunction when combining two independent clauses. An independent clause is a term for a complete thought or sentence with both a subject and a verb. A coordinating conjunction...

Use a comma to separate items in a series (three or more things). You should even place a comma between the last two, although some writing style guidelines now omit this comma. In academic...

Use commas after introductory words or phrases. Subordinating conjunctions are words that connect, but unlike coordinating conjunctions, which connect equal parts, subordinating conjunctions connect dependent clauses (incomplete thoughts) to independent clauses. When you see...

Use commas in the middle of a sentence to set off words or phrases that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. This rule can be a little tricky because of some...

Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives describing the same noun. An adjective is a word that describes a noun, and when we have two coordinate or “equal” adjectives describing the same noun, we...

Use a comma to separate coordinate elements at the end of a sentence or to indicate a distinct shift at the end of a sentence. This comma rule is pretty straightforward. If you have...

Use a comma between the main discourse and a quote. Whether you are writing dialog or setting up a quote from a source in your research essay, you should use a comma to separate...