Grammatically Correct 09/14/04
A weekly grammar tip created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors.
University of Houston-Victoria
3007 N. Ben Wilson
Victoria, TX 77901
When and How to use a Comma with a Coordinating Conjunction
by Shawn Brett
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that connects two complete sentences/ideas. Commas should not be used after coordinating conjunctions. The coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Ex: It began to get cold inside, for someone had left the window open.
Ex: He went to the grocery store, and she went to the mall.
Ex: They did not go to the movies, nor did they go out to eat afterwards.
Ex: The building is old, but it has been kept in good condition.
Ex: Are you going to Houston this weekend, or have you decided to go elsewhere?
Ex: She was extremely tired by the end of the race, yet she never once fell behind.
Ex: I want to work as an interpreter in the future, so I am studying Spanish at the university.

A comma is not required before a coordinating conjunction if the independent clauses are brief, but it may be used. Both of the following examples are correct.

Ex: Mike is coordinated, but he is not very quick.
Ex: It was damaged but it is still usable.

Note: You may use a comma before “but” when expressing a contrast, even if it doesn’t connect two independent clauses.

Ex: It is bright outside, but dark in the house.
Ex: This food is good, but not very healthy.

Definitions

coordinating conjunction:
A simple conjunction (joining word) used to connect two clauses of the same type. The coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. You can remember these conjunctions by using the acronym FANBOYS—For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

independent clause:
A group of words containing both a subject and a verb. An idea that can stand alone as a complete sentence.
Recommended Grammar Website of the Week
by Shawn Brett

In addition to our own website, this week we recommend Michael Harvey’s The Nuts and Bolts of College Writing. This is a comprehensive website that contains a wide range of information from generating ideas and designing your paper to the use of rhetoric and concision to improve your writing.
Visit The Nuts and Bolts of College Writing at http://www.nutsandboltsguide.com/
Test Your Knowledge
by Shawn Brett
Test your understanding correcting the following sentences.

1. They tried to get to the concert on time but it had already started when they arrived.

2. The wind was strong, and the rain was cold.

3. Are we going on vacation this year; or, will we have to wait a little longer?


Answers

1. They tried to get to the concert on time, but it had already started when they arrived.

2. Although this is correct, both independent clauses are short enough that a comma is not required before the coordinating conjunction “and.”

3. Are we going on vacation this year, or will we have to wait a little longer?

 

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

Subscribe/Unsubscribe/View Archive