Singer
CCR
FIXING SOME COMMON COMMA PROBLEMS
Coordinating Conjunctions: FANBOYS
For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
Rule:
When used to connect two independent clauses, always use a comma.
When used to connect an independent and subordinate clause, do not use a comma.
Independent clause: sentence; Subordinate clause: fragment
Examples:
 Rachel was very tired, so she decided to go to sleep. (comma)
 Rachel was very tired and decided to go to sleep. (no comma)
These sentences can also be combined with a semi-colon, a punctuation mark that separates major
sentence elements. It can be used between two closely related independent clauses, provided they are
NOT already joined by a coordinating conjunction.
Example:
Rachel was very tired; she decided to go to sleep.
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Introductory Prepositional Phrases
Prepositions:
aboard, about, above, across, after, against, along, amid, among, anti, around, as, at, because, before,
behind, below, beneath, beside, besides, between, beyond, but, by, concerning, considering, despite,
down, during, except, excepting, excluding, following, for, from, in, inside, into, like, minus, near, of,
off, on, onto, opposite, outside, over, past, per, plus, regarding, round, save, since, than, through, to,
toward, towards, under, underneath, unlike, until, up, upon, versus, via, with, within, without
Rule:
When used as the starting word of an introductory phrase three words or longer, follow with a comma.
When used in the middle of a sentence, do not use a comma.
Examples:
 Since she had to ace for her final exam, Rachel stayed up for thirty hours. (comma)
 Above Rachel hovered an annoying librarian who kept checking on what she was doing. (no
comma)
 Rachel had trouble finding her study guide among her disorganized notes. (no comma)
 Unlike her classmates who prepared in advance, Rachel had to cram for her final exam. (comma)
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Preposition Song
(Sung to the tune of “Yankee Doodle”)
Aboard, about, above, across
Against, along, around
Amid, among, after, at
Except, for, during, down
Behind, below, beneath, beside
Between, before, beyond
By, in, from, off, on, over, of
Until, unto, upon
Under, underneath, since, up
Like, near, past, throughout, through
With, within, without, instead
Toward, inside, into, to