2. Commas are used when linking two independent clauses.

3. A coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, yet, so) links the clauses together after the comma.

4. The house approved the bill, but the senate rejected it.

5. See note for complex sentence creation chart and definitions for each coordinating conjunction.

7. Love it or leave it.

8. Use your best judgment with longer independent clauses.

9. Commas can also be used to add a pause; sometimes, it is a judgment call.

11. Take a breath!

12. Questions?!

14. These are elements that are joined by a coordinating conjunction .

15. You may pay by check, with a credit card, or in cash.

16. If there is already a comma in the sentence, use a semicolon !

17. Three important criteria are; fat content, salt content, and taste.

19. Robert Coover, who spoke at the symposium last year, has a new novel out.

20. It is supplemental information!

21. When using nonrestrictive elements , you will also use which instead of that (see pronouns).

22. He ran for the bus, which was late as usual.

23. The house, which is blue, sold quickly.

24. Versus...

25. The house that is blue sold quickly.

27. The downtown area includes a bakery, a florist, a small supermarket with an excellent butcher, and a bookstore.

28. Coordinating adjectives need a comma unless they are joined by a conjunction already.

29. She brushed her long, shining, hair.

30. The baby was tired and cranky and wet. (no comma needed)

32. Take a breath!

33. Questions?!

35. When war came to Baghdad, many victims were children.

36. If it is short, again, you may omit the comma.

37. Use your best judgment whether the sentence will still be clear.

38. When I exercise I drink plenty of war.

39. (I might keep the comma. What do you think?)

41. However, any plan enacted must be fair.

42. During the Depression, movie attendance rose.

43. First, plan your process analysis essay.

45. Take a breath!

46. Questions?!

48. Jackson's work, &quot;detailed and important,” according to Hayles, is the topic of today's lecture. <--comma goes inside quote

49. Same with dialouge

50. ”Further,” she said, ”I am sick of his crap!”

51. See note for more information about dates, titles, places, and addresses.