Comma is nothing but one of the most frequently used punctuation marks. This article will tell in detail about some important facts on conjunctions with comma.
Conjunctions are sometimes used with a comma, in order to indicate the presence of two or more clauses in a sentence. Conjunctions with comma indicate a short pause, thereby making the sentence structure clearer and more understandable.
With the aid of a few interesting facts and suitable examples let us explore the usage of conjunctions with comma.
When to use comma with conjunctions?
We already know that comma is used sometimes with conjunctions. Here, we shall get to know at what places (when) comma is used along with conjunctions.
The table below lists the places when comma is used along with conjunctions.
| Usage of comma with conjunctions | Examples |
| 1. When a coordinating conjunction is used to connect two or more main clauses (independent clauses) into a compound sentence, then a comma is used right before the coordinating conjunction that is connecting the clauses. | I visited their house on Saturday, but I did not meet them. |
| 2. When a subordinating clause (dependent clause) comes before (precedes) the main clause in a complex sentence, then a comma is used after the subordinate clause (first clause). In other words, comma is used before the main clause. | Although we tried to finish the project by today, we were unable to complete it. |
| 3. When a series or a list of more than two items are listed, then a comma is used before the conjunction “and” / “or”. The “and” / “or” is written before the last entry of the list or series. | a. We ordered vegetable soup, French fries, mushroom rolls, and paneer tikka for starters. b. We can paint this room blue, pink, or green. |
| 4. When the correlative conjunctions separate two independent clauses (main clauses), then a comma is used before the before the starting of the second clause or at the end of the first clause. | Not only does Sonali speak French, but also she speaks German. |
| 5. When the correlative conjunctions or the conjunction phrase is present as a whole in the beginning of the sentence, then a comma is used right after the first clause or at the beginning of the second clause in order to separate the clauses. | As soon as the performances were over, the results were announced. |
Examples of conjunction with comma
We have already seen when and how conjunctions are used with comma. Now let us get a better understand of it with the aid of a few examples and related explanations.
The table below consists of sentences where conjunctions are used with comma.
| Examples | Explanations (Conjunctions, clauses and sentence type) | Places where comma is used with conjunctions |
| 1. I would love to come to the party, but I have lots of unfinished work at home. | Conjunction: but Main Clause 1: I would love to come to the party Main Clause 2: but I have lots of unfinished work at home This sentence is a compound sentence with two main clauses being connected with the coordinating conjunction “but”. | Here, the comma is used right before the coordinating conjunction “but”. |
| 2. Because Suha was unwell, she did not attend her classes today. | Conjunction: because Subordinate Clause : because Suha was unwell Main Clause: she did not attend her classes today. This sentence is a complex sentence with the subordinate clause coming before the main clause. The subordinating conjunction “because” is introducing the subordinate clause. | In this sentence, the comma is used right after the subordinate clause, in order to separate it from the main clause which is following it. |
| 3. This outfit is colorful, elegant, modest, and well tailored. | Conjunction: and This sentence lists down the characteristic features of an outfit. | In this sentence the comma is placed right before the conjunction “and” present before the last entry “well tailored” of the list. |
| 4. Not only was he late to the class, but also he was disobedient. | Conjunction: not only…but also Main Clause 1: not only was he late to the class Main Clause 2: but also he was disobedient This sentence is a compound sentence with two main clauses being connected with the correlative conjunction “not only…but also”. | Hence, in this sentence, the comma is used right before the correlative conjunction “but also” with which the second main clause begins. |
| 5. Rather than buying a new bicycle, we repaired the old one. | Conjunction: rather than First clause: rather than buying a new cycle Second clause: we repaired the old one Here in this sentence, the correlative conjunction or the conjunction phrase “rather than” is present as a whole in the beginning of the first clause. | Thus, in this sentence, the comma is used at the end of the first clause which is introduced by the correlative conjunction “rather than”, to separate it from the next clause. |
| 6. Though we tried our best to close this deal, we were unable to persuade the clients. | Conjunction: though Subordinate Clause : though we tried our best to close this deal Main Clause: we were unable to persuade the clients This sentence is a complex sentence with the subordinate clause coming before the main clause. The subordinating conjunction “though” is introducing the subordinate clause. | In this sentence, the comma is used right after the dependent clause, in order to separate it from the main clause which is succeeding it. |
| 7. The classes ended early today, so we planned to go out for a movie. | Conjunction: so Main Clause 1: the classes ended early today Main Clause 2: so we planned to go out for a movie This sentence is a compound sentence with two independent clauses being connected with the coordinating conjunction “so”. | Hence, here, the comma is used right before the coordinating conjunction “so” which introduces the second main clause. |
| 8. We have to change the title of the essay, for it is not very catchy. | Conjunction: for Main Clause 1: we have to change the title of the essay Main Clause 2: for it is not very catchy This sentence is a compound sentence with two independent clauses being joined by the coordinating conjunction “for”. Hence, the comma is used right before the coordinating conjunction “for” which introduces the second dependent clause. | |
| 9. The play can be of comedy, adventure, thriller, or history genre. | Conjunction: or This sentence lists down the various genres of the play. | Here, the comma is placed right before the conjunction “or” present before the last entry “history” of the list. |
| 10. Even as I was speaking to her, she dropped my call. | Conjunction: even as First clause: even as I was speaking to her Second clause: she dropped my call Here in this sentence, the correlative conjunction or the conjunction phrase “even as” is present as a whole in the starting of the first clause. | In this sentence, the comma is utilized at the end of the first clause which is introduced by the correlative conjunction “even as”, to separate it from the following clause. |
| 11. Although I started early from home, I missed the train. | Conjunction: although Subordinate Clause : although I started early from home Main Clause: I missed the train This sentence is a complex sentence with the subordinate clause preceding the main clause. The subordinating conjunction “although” is introducing the subordinate clause. | In this sentence, the comma is used right after the dependent clause, in order to separate it from the independent clause which is succeeding it. |
Examples of conjunction without comma
While at some places conjunctions are used with comma, there are also places where conjunctions are used without comma. Let us have a look at them with a few examples.
The table below lists a few sentences where conjunctions are used without comma.
| Examples | Explanations |
| 1. You are requested to stay in the class until you complete all your incomplete works. | This sentence is a complex sentence in which the main clause comes before the subordinate clause. The subordinating conjunction “until” is not used in the beginning but is used in the middle of the sentence to introduce the dependent clause. Hence, comma is not used before or after the subordinating conjunction “until”. |
| 2. I am planning to go to France and Germany. | This sentence is just listing out the names of just two countries and not more than two. Hence, comma is not used before the conjunction “and”. |
| 3. Rahim sang and danced with us in the class. | The conjunction “and” in this sentence, is not connecting two main clauses, but is only connecting two action words. Hence, comma is not used before the conjunction “and”. |
| 4. I want not only a chocolate but also an ice cream. | The correlative conjunction “not only…but also” here is not connecting two independent clauses, but is connecting a dependent clause “but also an ice cream” with the main clause “I want not only a chocolate”. Hence, comma is not used before the correlative conjunction “but also” which introduces the second clause. |
| 5. She is talking so softly that we can hardly hear her. | In this sentence, the word “so” is not considered to be a conjunction since it is describing a verb. Hence, comma is not used before the word “so” as it is not a conjunction, but is functioning as an adverb here. |
Conclusion
This article has thus enlightened us on how, when and why the punctuation mark “comma” is used or not used with the part of speech “conjunction”.
Hi… I am Sowndharya Jagadeeswaran, a university rank holder in M.A. English Literature. I have also done my master’s in Business Administration. Inquisitive as I am, my interest in action-oriented research helped me publish research papers in reputed journals. Now, as a career, I am an instructor where I teach young and adorable students the intricate technicalities of Public Speaking and Creative Writing. I also enjoy writing articles on topics I specialize and research in.
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