Should I use a comma before “and” or “or”?
Is using a comma then an "and" or an "or" after it proper punctuation?
Example:
- I fell over, and hurt my knee.
- Should I go, or not?
punctuation commas conjunctions oxford-comma and-or
edited 8 hours ago
Laurel
32.8k664117
asked Jun 20 '11 at 2:08
NunyaNunya
388144
add a comment |
Is using a comma then an "and" or an "or" after it proper punctuation?
Example:
- I fell over, and hurt my knee.
- Should I go, or not?
punctuation commas conjunctions oxford-comma and-or
edited 8 hours ago
Laurel
32.8k664117
asked Jun 20 '11 at 2:08
NunyaNunya
388144
2
possible duplicate of Using a comma before "but"
– Robusto
Jun 20 '11 at 2:43
add a comment |
Is using a comma then an "and" or an "or" after it proper punctuation?
Example:
- I fell over, and hurt my knee.
- Should I go, or not?
punctuation commas conjunctions oxford-comma and-or
edited 8 hours ago
Laurel
32.8k664117
asked Jun 20 '11 at 2:08
NunyaNunya
388144
Is using a comma then an "and" or an "or" after it proper punctuation?
Example:
- I fell over, and hurt my knee.
- Should I go, or not?
punctuation commas conjunctions oxford-comma and-or
punctuation commas conjunctions oxford-comma and-or
edited 8 hours ago
Laurel
32.8k664117
asked Jun 20 '11 at 2:08
NunyaNunya
388144
edited 8 hours ago
Laurel
32.8k664117
asked Jun 20 '11 at 2:08
NunyaNunya
388144
edited 8 hours ago
Laurel
32.8k664117
edited 8 hours ago
Laurel
32.8k664117
edited 8 hours ago
Laurel
32.8k664117
32.8k664117
asked Jun 20 '11 at 2:08
NunyaNunya
388144
asked Jun 20 '11 at 2:08
NunyaNunya
388144
asked Jun 20 '11 at 2:08
NunyaNunya
388144
388144
2
possible duplicate of Using a comma before "but"
– Robusto
Jun 20 '11 at 2:43
add a comment |
2
possible duplicate of Using a comma before "but"
– Robusto
Jun 20 '11 at 2:43
2
2
possible duplicate of Using a comma before "but"
– Robusto
Jun 20 '11 at 2:43
possible duplicate of Using a comma before "but"
– Robusto
Jun 20 '11 at 2:43
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
Whether it is correct to use a comma before a coordinating conjunction ("and", "but", "or", "nor", "for", "yet", "so") depends on the situation. There are three primary uses of conjunctions:
When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect two independent clauses, a comma is always used. Examples:
- I hit my brother with a stick, and he cried.
- The rain stopped, and the sun came out again.
- Should I eat dinner, or should I play a game?
When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect a dependent clause, a comma is never used. This includes both of your given examples. Other examples:
- The boy ran to his room and cried.
- Frank is a healthy and active child.
- Should I eat dinner or play a game?
When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect three or more items or clauses, a comma is optional (though I personally prefer to use one). Examples:
- I bought cheese, crackers, and drinks at the store.
- Should I eat dinner, play a game, or go to the store?
edited Nov 7 '13 at 0:49
Community♦
1
answered Jun 20 '11 at 2:31
rintaunrintaun
2,80621419
9
See also the Oxford/Serial comma debate (your point 3): Serial comma.
– user9853
Jun 20 '11 at 2:33
1
I agree with your examples, but I think the labels on 1 and 2 could be improved. The first group is about independent clauses, not main clauses. The second one is about non-independent or dependent clauses, not subordinate clauses (they are dependent because they are elliptical).
– Cerberus
Jun 20 '11 at 3:49
@Cerberus Thank you for the suggestions. I've modified my answer to reflect them.
– rintaun
Jun 20 '11 at 4:34
3
@rintaun: I agree with the main points of your answer but disagree with using always and never. Between very short and closely connected independent clauses, the comma can be omitted. ("He played the guitar and she sang.") In compound predicates, a comma is not usually used, though it may be needed to avoid confusion or indicate a pause. ("She recognized the man who entered the room, and gasped" vs. "She recognized the man who entered the room and gasped.") CMOS 6.32, 6.34 (15th ed.) It would be better to use the word usually.
– Tragicomic
Jun 22 '11 at 11:41
4
Also, in your second point, "cried" is not a dependent clause. It cannot be a dependent clause because it does not have a subject. It is just part of a compound predicate. Here is an example of a sentence with one independent and once dependent clause: "The boy ran to his room because he was crying."
– Tragicomic
Jun 22 '11 at 11:42
|
show 3 more comments
Getting comma usage with and and or can be tricky sometimes, and even the best of us will mess it up once in a while.
Here's a good guide: http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp
And some examples:
I fell over and hurt my knee.
I fell over, hurt my knee , and got stitches.- I like the colors red and blue.
- I like the colors red, blue , and purple.
You can buy an apple, a pear , or an orange.
I can go or stay - which would you prefer?
When used in a list, and and or never take a comma when the list has two items; when it has more, it is generally a good idea to use the comma.
When used as a conjunction it is generally a good idea to use the comma (unless the phrases are very short).
answered Jun 20 '11 at 2:36
Kerri ShottsKerri Shotts
87258
add a comment |
"I went to Japan and returned in 2009" is correct but rather unspecific. It could imply either "I went [say, in 2003] and returned in 2009" or "I went and returned in 2009". The comma in "I went to Japan, and returned in 2009" points to the former; With two commas, "I went to Japan, and returned, in 2009" definitely implies the latter.
answered Jun 22 '11 at 10:49
John BentinJohn Bentin
82958
add a comment |
protected by RegDwigнt♦ Mar 23 '12 at 19:36
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Whether it is correct to use a comma before a coordinating conjunction ("and", "but", "or", "nor", "for", "yet", "so") depends on the situation. There are three primary uses of conjunctions:
When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect two independent clauses, a comma is always used. Examples:
- I hit my brother with a stick, and he cried.
- The rain stopped, and the sun came out again.
- Should I eat dinner, or should I play a game?
When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect a dependent clause, a comma is never used. This includes both of your given examples. Other examples:
- The boy ran to his room and cried.
- Frank is a healthy and active child.
- Should I eat dinner or play a game?
When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect three or more items or clauses, a comma is optional (though I personally prefer to use one). Examples:
- I bought cheese, crackers, and drinks at the store.
- Should I eat dinner, play a game, or go to the store?
edited Nov 7 '13 at 0:49
Community♦
1
answered Jun 20 '11 at 2:31
rintaunrintaun
2,80621419
9
See also the Oxford/Serial comma debate (your point 3): Serial comma.
– user9853
Jun 20 '11 at 2:33
1
I agree with your examples, but I think the labels on 1 and 2 could be improved. The first group is about independent clauses, not main clauses. The second one is about non-independent or dependent clauses, not subordinate clauses (they are dependent because they are elliptical).
– Cerberus
Jun 20 '11 at 3:49
@Cerberus Thank you for the suggestions. I've modified my answer to reflect them.
– rintaun
Jun 20 '11 at 4:34
3
@rintaun: I agree with the main points of your answer but disagree with using always and never. Between very short and closely connected independent clauses, the comma can be omitted. ("He played the guitar and she sang.") In compound predicates, a comma is not usually used, though it may be needed to avoid confusion or indicate a pause. ("She recognized the man who entered the room, and gasped" vs. "She recognized the man who entered the room and gasped.") CMOS 6.32, 6.34 (15th ed.) It would be better to use the word usually.
– Tragicomic
Jun 22 '11 at 11:41
4
Also, in your second point, "cried" is not a dependent clause. It cannot be a dependent clause because it does not have a subject. It is just part of a compound predicate. Here is an example of a sentence with one independent and once dependent clause: "The boy ran to his room because he was crying."
– Tragicomic
Jun 22 '11 at 11:42
|
show 3 more comments
Whether it is correct to use a comma before a coordinating conjunction ("and", "but", "or", "nor", "for", "yet", "so") depends on the situation. There are three primary uses of conjunctions:
When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect two independent clauses, a comma is always used. Examples:
- I hit my brother with a stick, and he cried.
- The rain stopped, and the sun came out again.
- Should I eat dinner, or should I play a game?
When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect a dependent clause, a comma is never used. This includes both of your given examples. Other examples:
- The boy ran to his room and cried.
- Frank is a healthy and active child.
- Should I eat dinner or play a game?
When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect three or more items or clauses, a comma is optional (though I personally prefer to use one). Examples:
- I bought cheese, crackers, and drinks at the store.
- Should I eat dinner, play a game, or go to the store?
edited Nov 7 '13 at 0:49
Community♦
1
answered Jun 20 '11 at 2:31
rintaunrintaun
2,80621419
9
See also the Oxford/Serial comma debate (your point 3): Serial comma.
– user9853
Jun 20 '11 at 2:33
1
I agree with your examples, but I think the labels on 1 and 2 could be improved. The first group is about independent clauses, not main clauses. The second one is about non-independent or dependent clauses, not subordinate clauses (they are dependent because they are elliptical).
– Cerberus
Jun 20 '11 at 3:49
@Cerberus Thank you for the suggestions. I've modified my answer to reflect them.
– rintaun
Jun 20 '11 at 4:34
3
@rintaun: I agree with the main points of your answer but disagree with using always and never. Between very short and closely connected independent clauses, the comma can be omitted. ("He played the guitar and she sang.") In compound predicates, a comma is not usually used, though it may be needed to avoid confusion or indicate a pause. ("She recognized the man who entered the room, and gasped" vs. "She recognized the man who entered the room and gasped.") CMOS 6.32, 6.34 (15th ed.) It would be better to use the word usually.
– Tragicomic
Jun 22 '11 at 11:41
4
Also, in your second point, "cried" is not a dependent clause. It cannot be a dependent clause because it does not have a subject. It is just part of a compound predicate. Here is an example of a sentence with one independent and once dependent clause: "The boy ran to his room because he was crying."
– Tragicomic
Jun 22 '11 at 11:42
|
show 3 more comments
Whether it is correct to use a comma before a coordinating conjunction ("and", "but", "or", "nor", "for", "yet", "so") depends on the situation. There are three primary uses of conjunctions:
When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect two independent clauses, a comma is always used. Examples:
- I hit my brother with a stick, and he cried.
- The rain stopped, and the sun came out again.
- Should I eat dinner, or should I play a game?
When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect a dependent clause, a comma is never used. This includes both of your given examples. Other examples:
- The boy ran to his room and cried.
- Frank is a healthy and active child.
- Should I eat dinner or play a game?
When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect three or more items or clauses, a comma is optional (though I personally prefer to use one). Examples:
- I bought cheese, crackers, and drinks at the store.
- Should I eat dinner, play a game, or go to the store?
edited Nov 7 '13 at 0:49
Community♦
1
answered Jun 20 '11 at 2:31
rintaunrintaun
2,80621419
Whether it is correct to use a comma before a coordinating conjunction ("and", "but", "or", "nor", "for", "yet", "so") depends on the situation. There are three primary uses of conjunctions:
When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect two independent clauses, a comma is always used. Examples:
- I hit my brother with a stick, and he cried.
- The rain stopped, and the sun came out again.
- Should I eat dinner, or should I play a game?
When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect a dependent clause, a comma is never used. This includes both of your given examples. Other examples:
- The boy ran to his room and cried.
- Frank is a healthy and active child.
- Should I eat dinner or play a game?
When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect three or more items or clauses, a comma is optional (though I personally prefer to use one). Examples:
- I bought cheese, crackers, and drinks at the store.
- Should I eat dinner, play a game, or go to the store?
edited Nov 7 '13 at 0:49
Community♦
1
answered Jun 20 '11 at 2:31
rintaunrintaun
2,80621419
edited Nov 7 '13 at 0:49
Community♦
1
edited Nov 7 '13 at 0:49
Community♦
1
edited Nov 7 '13 at 0:49
Community♦
1
1
answered Jun 20 '11 at 2:31
rintaunrintaun
2,80621419
answered Jun 20 '11 at 2:31
rintaunrintaun
2,80621419
answered Jun 20 '11 at 2:31
rintaunrintaun
2,80621419
2,80621419
9
See also the Oxford/Serial comma debate (your point 3): Serial comma.
– user9853
Jun 20 '11 at 2:33
1
I agree with your examples, but I think the labels on 1 and 2 could be improved. The first group is about independent clauses, not main clauses. The second one is about non-independent or dependent clauses, not subordinate clauses (they are dependent because they are elliptical).
– Cerberus
Jun 20 '11 at 3:49
@Cerberus Thank you for the suggestions. I've modified my answer to reflect them.
– rintaun
Jun 20 '11 at 4:34
3
@rintaun: I agree with the main points of your answer but disagree with using always and never. Between very short and closely connected independent clauses, the comma can be omitted. ("He played the guitar and she sang.") In compound predicates, a comma is not usually used, though it may be needed to avoid confusion or indicate a pause. ("She recognized the man who entered the room, and gasped" vs. "She recognized the man who entered the room and gasped.") CMOS 6.32, 6.34 (15th ed.) It would be better to use the word usually.
– Tragicomic
Jun 22 '11 at 11:41
4
Also, in your second point, "cried" is not a dependent clause. It cannot be a dependent clause because it does not have a subject. It is just part of a compound predicate. Here is an example of a sentence with one independent and once dependent clause: "The boy ran to his room because he was crying."
– Tragicomic
Jun 22 '11 at 11:42
|
show 3 more comments
9
See also the Oxford/Serial comma debate (your point 3): Serial comma.
– user9853
Jun 20 '11 at 2:33
1
I agree with your examples, but I think the labels on 1 and 2 could be improved. The first group is about independent clauses, not main clauses. The second one is about non-independent or dependent clauses, not subordinate clauses (they are dependent because they are elliptical).
– Cerberus
Jun 20 '11 at 3:49
@Cerberus Thank you for the suggestions. I've modified my answer to reflect them.
– rintaun
Jun 20 '11 at 4:34
3
@rintaun: I agree with the main points of your answer but disagree with using always and never. Between very short and closely connected independent clauses, the comma can be omitted. ("He played the guitar and she sang.") In compound predicates, a comma is not usually used, though it may be needed to avoid confusion or indicate a pause. ("She recognized the man who entered the room, and gasped" vs. "She recognized the man who entered the room and gasped.") CMOS 6.32, 6.34 (15th ed.) It would be better to use the word usually.
– Tragicomic
Jun 22 '11 at 11:41
4
Also, in your second point, "cried" is not a dependent clause. It cannot be a dependent clause because it does not have a subject. It is just part of a compound predicate. Here is an example of a sentence with one independent and once dependent clause: "The boy ran to his room because he was crying."
– Tragicomic
Jun 22 '11 at 11:42
9
9
See also the Oxford/Serial comma debate (your point 3): Serial comma.
– user9853
Jun 20 '11 at 2:33
See also the Oxford/Serial comma debate (your point 3): Serial comma.
– user9853
Jun 20 '11 at 2:33
1
1
I agree with your examples, but I think the labels on 1 and 2 could be improved. The first group is about independent clauses, not main clauses. The second one is about non-independent or dependent clauses, not subordinate clauses (they are dependent because they are elliptical).
– Cerberus
Jun 20 '11 at 3:49
I agree with your examples, but I think the labels on 1 and 2 could be improved. The first group is about independent clauses, not main clauses. The second one is about non-independent or dependent clauses, not subordinate clauses (they are dependent because they are elliptical).
– Cerberus
Jun 20 '11 at 3:49
@Cerberus Thank you for the suggestions. I've modified my answer to reflect them.
– rintaun
Jun 20 '11 at 4:34
@Cerberus Thank you for the suggestions. I've modified my answer to reflect them.
– rintaun
Jun 20 '11 at 4:34
3
3
@rintaun: I agree with the main points of your answer but disagree with using always and never. Between very short and closely connected independent clauses, the comma can be omitted. ("He played the guitar and she sang.") In compound predicates, a comma is not usually used, though it may be needed to avoid confusion or indicate a pause. ("She recognized the man who entered the room, and gasped" vs. "She recognized the man who entered the room and gasped.") CMOS 6.32, 6.34 (15th ed.) It would be better to use the word usually.
– Tragicomic
Jun 22 '11 at 11:41
@rintaun: I agree with the main points of your answer but disagree with using always and never. Between very short and closely connected independent clauses, the comma can be omitted. ("He played the guitar and she sang.") In compound predicates, a comma is not usually used, though it may be needed to avoid confusion or indicate a pause. ("She recognized the man who entered the room, and gasped" vs. "She recognized the man who entered the room and gasped.") CMOS 6.32, 6.34 (15th ed.) It would be better to use the word usually.
– Tragicomic
Jun 22 '11 at 11:41
4
4
Also, in your second point, "cried" is not a dependent clause. It cannot be a dependent clause because it does not have a subject. It is just part of a compound predicate. Here is an example of a sentence with one independent and once dependent clause: "The boy ran to his room because he was crying."
– Tragicomic
Jun 22 '11 at 11:42
Also, in your second point, "cried" is not a dependent clause. It cannot be a dependent clause because it does not have a subject. It is just part of a compound predicate. Here is an example of a sentence with one independent and once dependent clause: "The boy ran to his room because he was crying."
– Tragicomic
Jun 22 '11 at 11:42
|
show 3 more comments
Getting comma usage with and and or can be tricky sometimes, and even the best of us will mess it up once in a while.
Here's a good guide: http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp
And some examples:
I fell over and hurt my knee.
I fell over, hurt my knee , and got stitches.- I like the colors red and blue.
- I like the colors red, blue , and purple.
You can buy an apple, a pear , or an orange.
I can go or stay - which would you prefer?
When used in a list, and and or never take a comma when the list has two items; when it has more, it is generally a good idea to use the comma.
When used as a conjunction it is generally a good idea to use the comma (unless the phrases are very short).
answered Jun 20 '11 at 2:36
Kerri ShottsKerri Shotts
87258
add a comment |
Getting comma usage with and and or can be tricky sometimes, and even the best of us will mess it up once in a while.
Here's a good guide: http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp
And some examples:
I fell over and hurt my knee.
I fell over, hurt my knee , and got stitches.- I like the colors red and blue.
- I like the colors red, blue , and purple.
You can buy an apple, a pear , or an orange.
I can go or stay - which would you prefer?
When used in a list, and and or never take a comma when the list has two items; when it has more, it is generally a good idea to use the comma.
When used as a conjunction it is generally a good idea to use the comma (unless the phrases are very short).
answered Jun 20 '11 at 2:36
Kerri ShottsKerri Shotts
87258
add a comment |
Getting comma usage with and and or can be tricky sometimes, and even the best of us will mess it up once in a while.
Here's a good guide: http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp
And some examples:
I fell over and hurt my knee.
I fell over, hurt my knee , and got stitches.- I like the colors red and blue.
- I like the colors red, blue , and purple.
You can buy an apple, a pear , or an orange.
I can go or stay - which would you prefer?
When used in a list, and and or never take a comma when the list has two items; when it has more, it is generally a good idea to use the comma.
When used as a conjunction it is generally a good idea to use the comma (unless the phrases are very short).
answered Jun 20 '11 at 2:36
Kerri ShottsKerri Shotts
87258
Getting comma usage with and and or can be tricky sometimes, and even the best of us will mess it up once in a while.
Here's a good guide: http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp
And some examples:
I fell over and hurt my knee.
I fell over, hurt my knee , and got stitches.- I like the colors red and blue.
- I like the colors red, blue , and purple.
You can buy an apple, a pear , or an orange.
I can go or stay - which would you prefer?
When used in a list, and and or never take a comma when the list has two items; when it has more, it is generally a good idea to use the comma.
When used as a conjunction it is generally a good idea to use the comma (unless the phrases are very short).
answered Jun 20 '11 at 2:36
Kerri ShottsKerri Shotts
87258
answered Jun 20 '11 at 2:36
Kerri ShottsKerri Shotts
87258
answered Jun 20 '11 at 2:36
Kerri ShottsKerri Shotts
87258
answered Jun 20 '11 at 2:36
Kerri ShottsKerri Shotts
87258
87258
add a comment |
add a comment |
"I went to Japan and returned in 2009" is correct but rather unspecific. It could imply either "I went [say, in 2003] and returned in 2009" or "I went and returned in 2009". The comma in "I went to Japan, and returned in 2009" points to the former; With two commas, "I went to Japan, and returned, in 2009" definitely implies the latter.
answered Jun 22 '11 at 10:49
John BentinJohn Bentin
82958
add a comment |
"I went to Japan and returned in 2009" is correct but rather unspecific. It could imply either "I went [say, in 2003] and returned in 2009" or "I went and returned in 2009". The comma in "I went to Japan, and returned in 2009" points to the former; With two commas, "I went to Japan, and returned, in 2009" definitely implies the latter.
answered Jun 22 '11 at 10:49
John BentinJohn Bentin
82958
add a comment |
"I went to Japan and returned in 2009" is correct but rather unspecific. It could imply either "I went [say, in 2003] and returned in 2009" or "I went and returned in 2009". The comma in "I went to Japan, and returned in 2009" points to the former; With two commas, "I went to Japan, and returned, in 2009" definitely implies the latter.
answered Jun 22 '11 at 10:49
John BentinJohn Bentin
82958
"I went to Japan and returned in 2009" is correct but rather unspecific. It could imply either "I went [say, in 2003] and returned in 2009" or "I went and returned in 2009". The comma in "I went to Japan, and returned in 2009" points to the former; With two commas, "I went to Japan, and returned, in 2009" definitely implies the latter.
answered Jun 22 '11 at 10:49
John BentinJohn Bentin
82958
answered Jun 22 '11 at 10:49
John BentinJohn Bentin
82958
answered Jun 22 '11 at 10:49
John BentinJohn Bentin
82958
answered Jun 22 '11 at 10:49
John BentinJohn Bentin
82958
82958
add a comment |
add a comment |
protected by RegDwigнt♦ Mar 23 '12 at 19:36
Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?
2
possible duplicate of Using a comma before "but"
– Robusto
Jun 20 '11 at 2:43