Which option always requires a comma before the conjunction?
The option that always requires a comma before the conjunction is:
- Joining two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction.
Example: "I have a meeting tomorrow, and I need to prepare a presentation."
The option that always requires a comma before the conjunction is the option of joining two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction. When you have two complete sentences or independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as "and," "but," "or," "nor," "for," "so," or "yet"), you need to use a comma before the conjunction. This is called a coordinating conjunction with a comma.
The option that always requires a comma before the conjunction is the use of a coordinating conjunction to connect two independent clauses. A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance. The most common coordinating conjunctions are "and," "but," "or," "nor," "for," "so," and "yet".
To identify when you need to use a comma before a coordinating conjunction, follow these steps:
1. Identify the independent clauses: Independent clauses are complete thoughts that can stand alone as sentences. They have a subject and a verb and can express a complete idea.
2. Check if you are using a coordinating conjunction: Look for words like "and," "but," "or," "nor," "for," "so," or "yet" that are connecting the two independent clauses.
3. Determine if the independent clauses are of equal importance: Make sure both independent clauses are equally important and can stand alone as separate sentences.
4. Place a comma before the coordinating conjunction: If you have identified two independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction, use a comma before the conjunction.
Here's an example:
"I went to the park, and my friend stayed at home."
In this example, "I went to the park" and "my friend stayed at home" are both independent clauses. The coordinating conjunction "and" connects the two independent clauses. Since they are of equal importance, a comma is placed before the coordinating conjunction "and": "I went to the park, and my friend stayed at home."