Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate the standard uses of commas with conjunctions and in lists
Coordinating Conjunctions: FANBOYS
Coordinating conjunctions are words that join two words or phrases of equal importance. The mnemonic FANBOYS helps us remember the seven most common:
- for
- and
- nor
- but
- or
- yet
- so
When these conjunctions join two words or phrases, no comma is necessary. Let’s take a look at the two examples.
- Paula and Lucca had a great time on their date.
Paula and Lucca are two names, connected with a conjunction, and.
- Minh turned off the lights but left the door unlocked.
“Turned off” and “left” are both actions that Minh took. Both actions are connected by a conjunction, and.
However, when these conjunctions are used to join two independent clauses (or words that could otherwise stand on their own as complete sentences), a comma is required:
However, when these conjunctions are used to join two independent clauses (or words that could otherwise stand on their own as complete sentences), a comma is required:
- Danny studied the lifespan of rhinoceroses in their native Kenya, and he also studied the lifespan of rhinoceroses in captivity.
Danny studied the lifespan of rhinoceroses in their native Kenya. (This could be a sentence.)
He also studied the lifespan of rhinoceroses in captivity. (This could also be a sentence.)
So, when we join these two with the conjunction “and,” we also need to add a comma. We could write this as two separate sentences, but we’ve chosen to join them together here.
Commas in Lists
Perhaps one of the most hotly contested comma rules is the case of the serial comma, or Oxford comma. MLA style (as well as APA and Chicago) requires the use of the serial comma with AP style (Associated Press style, commonly used by news outlets) highly recommends leaving it out.
But what is the serial comma?
The serial comma is the comma before the conjunction (and, or, and nor) in a series involving a parallel list of three or more things. For example, “I am industrious, resourceful, and loyal.” The serial comma can provide clarity in certain situations. For example, if the “and” is part of a series of three or more phrases (groups of words) as opposed to single words:
- Medical histories taken about each subject included smoking history, frequency of exercise, current height and weight, and recent weight gain.
The serial comma can also prevent the end of a series from appearing to be a parenthetical:
- I’d like to thank my sisters, Beyoncé and Rhianna.
Without the serial comma, it may appear that the speaker is thanking his or her two sisters, who are named Beyoncé and Rhianna (which could be possible but isn’t true in this case). By adding the serial comma, it becomes clear that the speaker is thanking his or her sisters, as well as the two famous singers: “I’d like to thank my sisters, Beyoncé, and Rhianna.”
By always using a comma before the “and” in any series of three or more and you avoid any potential reader confusion.
Watch iT
This video explains the reasons why the serial or Oxford comma is still up for debate, and how you can decide when to use it.
You can view the transcript for “Grammar’s Great Divide- The Oxford comma- TED-Ed” here (opens in new window).
Try It
See if you can place the commas or semicolons in their correct locations in the following interactive.
