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Tutorials: Mechanics

Using Commas

Linking Independent Clauses with a Coordinating Conjunction

RULE: When a coordinating conjunction links two independent clauses, use a comma before the coordinating conjunction.

EXAMPLE: The car hit George, so George fell down.

COMMENTARY:

Before continuing, let's clarify the definitions of "independent clause" and "coordinating conjunction."

An independent clause is a word group containing a subject and a main verb that can stand on its own as a sentence.  For example, "The car hit George" has a subject (car), a main verb (hit), and it can stand on its own as a sentence.

A coordinating conjunction is a word used to join two word groups of equal importance.  There are only seven coordinating conjunctions in English: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.  Each word signals a specific logical relationship between the two word groups being joined, so make sure that you choose the correct conjunction.

The pattern for putting these pieces together is

clause + comma + conjunction + clause

or

The car hit George, so George fell down.

Be careful that you do not put the comma after the conjunction.  The following sentence is incorrect:

The car hit George so, George fell down.

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