Tips from the Writing Center: The comma

As we begin 2024, the Writing Center wants to remind the NEOMED community about the importance of the comma in Academic English. Therefore, throughout the year, this monthly column will be focusing on comma usage. By focusing on comma rules, we will also discuss a variety of English related terms and rules. For instance, coordinating conjunctions connects words, phrases, and clauses that are coordinated, or equal. 

The Rule: Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. 

The Example: 

• The class was over, but several students still had questions. 
• Yesterday was Administrative Assistant Day, so we all bought flowers for Kelly. 
• The SLL student explained her question, yet the professor still didn't seem to understand. 

-submitted by Brian Harrell, writing specialist