ref –
- https://linguaholic.com/linguablog/comma-usage-fanboys/
- https://eslgrammar.org/coordinating-conjunction-fanboys/
1 subj – action verb
2 subj – transitive verb – direct object
3 subj – intransitive verb – preposition – preposition object
4 subj + [is/am/are] + subject complement
5 subj + sense [look/see/taste/smell/hear/feel/become] + subject complement
6 subj + emotion verb [prefer/want/love/like/hope] + to verb (infinitive as object)
7 subj – am/is/are/was/were/have/has/get/find/found/buy/borrow/rent] + (object) + [to verb]
8 subj + [have/has] + past participle
Story 1
A turtle lives in a forest.
His name is Ted.
A turtle lives in a forest, [and] his name is Ted.
Ted is a great swimmer.
He loves to swim in the pond.
Ted is a great swimmer, [so] he loves to swim in the lake.
His head is small and round, [and] a heavy shell sits on his back.
He moves slow, [but] he thinks fast.
He is [intelligent but naive].
His friend the rabbit dislikes him, [for] they always argue.
When not to put commas
Correct: It looks strange but cool.
Correct: It looks strange, but it is cool.
Also, we should not place a comma after “and” if it only joins two words or phrases in a sentence.
Although we may tend to pause out of hesitation when speaking the following sentences, we should not imitate the pause in writing.
Correct: Dylan is talented and handsome.
Here are some examples of how to use coordinating conjunctions:
Joining two independent clauses:
A coordinating conjunction can join two independent clauses (simple sentences) to make a compound sentence. Comma is added in front of the and.
For example, “I am hungry, [and] I do not have any food.”
In this sentence, the coordinating conjunction “and” joins the two independent clauses “I am hungry” and “I do not have any food.”
Joining two words or phrases: A coordinating conjunction can also join two words or phrases of equal importance.
For example, “I want to buy a car or a motorcycle.” In this sentence, the coordinating conjunction “or” joins the two phrases “buy a car” and “buy a motorcycle.”
No comma is needed.
Joining two adjectives:
A coordinating conjunction can join two adjectives that describe the same noun. For example, “The cake is delicious and moist.” In this sentence, the coordinating conjunction “and” joins the two adjectives “delicious” and “moist.”
No comma is needed.
Joining two verbs: A coordinating conjunction can join two verbs that have the same subject. For example, “I like to swim and bike.” In this sentence, the coordinating conjunction “and” joins the two verbs “swim” and “bike.”
No comma is needed.
Story 2
My name is Ricky.
I attend Basis International.
My name is Ricky, [and] I attend Basis International.
It is a good school
It is too competitive.
It is a good school, [but] it is too competitive.
We learn at [two grades above] standard level.
We try to catch up.
We(subj) learn(v) at [a level two grades above the standard], [so] we feel helpless.
I love (my family and friends).
They are my support system.
I love my family and friends [for] they are my support system.
If independent clause is before our ‘for’, and has a negative verb, we need a comma.
I couldn’t join any sports classes, [for] I have no time.
(Neither) [my friends] (nor) [I] have any energy left after school.
We can (either) [continue to work hard] (or) [transfer to a different school].
He said this, yet he did that.
Avoid commas if “yet” is an adverb modifying adjective/verb within sentence.
- She looks beautiful yet unremarkable.
- We escaped yet went nowhere.
We enjoy the school’s prestige, yet we can’t keep up.
Our struggle(s) continues (v) [yet] there is no escape.
Its beautiful(adj) [yet] so very tragic.