This handy rule will help you punctuate sentences with and, but, and other coordinating conjunctions.

1. Writing Better Sentences:
Comma Rule 2
by Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.

2. Writing Better Sentences:
Comma Rule 2
by Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.

3. English teachers call
them coordinating
conjunctions...

4. …but we can also call
them “the Magnificent
Seven.”

5. Another name
for them is the
FANBOYS words.
It’s easy to see
where that
name comes
from.

6. They’re the
words for
Comma Rule 2.
It’s a handy rule
you’ll probably
use almost
every day.

8. Comma Rule 2 Examples

9. You should keep
all seven
FANBOYS words
handy.
But most of the
time you’ll use
only two of
them:
and
but

10. Comma Rule 2
is all about the
number “2.”
You’re joining
2 sentences…

11. And most of
the time you’ll
be using only 2
words:
and
but

12. Let’s look at some Comma Rule 2 sentences:

13. Notice that and or but joins each pair of
sentences:

14. Here are more sentence pairs joined by
and or but and a comma:

15. You must have
TWO sentences
to use the
comma.

16. If you don’t have
two sentences,
don’t use the
comma.

17. Are there two sentences? No—just one.
“Ran across the field” isn’t a sentence.

18. Now you have two sentences: “he ran
across the field” IS a sentence.

19. Remember: You
need 2
sentences if
you’re going to
use a comma.

20. Take a look at these examples.
“Didn’t find any” isn’t a sentence.
“I didn’t find any” is a sentence.

21. Take a look at these examples.
“Didn’t see anyone” isn’t a sentence. Neither
is “saw bloodstains on the carpet.”

22. Try this one yourself. Which sentence
needs a comma?

23. Answer: The second one. It has two sentences
joined by and.
“Saw that Habib was telling the truth” isn’t a
sentence.

24. Take a look at these. Which one needs a
comma?

25. Answer: The first one.
“Bruises on his left cheek” isn’t a sentence.
“There were bruises on his left cheek” IS a
sentence.

26. There are a few
more things you
need to know.

27. The FANBOYS
words (the
“Magnificent
Seven”) are the
ONLY words that
join sentences
with commas.

28. Don’t try to use
other words to
join sentences.
They won’t do
the job.

29. If you don’t have a FANBOYS word, a comma
won’t do the job.
Use a period instead.

30. Remember: If you don’t have a FANBOYS
word, a comma won’t work.
Use a period.

31. Here are a few more examples.

32. Let’s review.
Comma Rule 2 is
about joining 2
sentences with a
comma and a
FANBOYS word.

33. The FANBOYS
words are for, and,
nor, but, or, yet,
so.
Most of the time
you’ll be using and
and but.

34. Make sure you know
what a sentence looks
like.
“I drove my car” is a
sentence.
“Drove my car” is
not.

35. Remember: If it’s not a FANBOYS word,
it can’t join two sentences with a
comma.

36. Let’s try one more example. Which one
needs a comma?

37. Answer: The second one. “Called 911”
isn’t a sentence.

38. Looking for and and
but, and thinking
about Comma Rule 2,
is a great way to
improve your writing
skills.

39. And there you have it!

40. You can learn more about commas at
www.YourPoliceWrite.com.

41. All the resources there are FREE:
www.YourPoliceWrite.com.

42. And if you’re
looking for a
low-cost,
practical book…

43. Criminal Justice Report
Writing is available
from www.Amazon.com
for just $19.95.
View a free sample
online.

44. An e-book edition is
available from
www.Smashwords.com
for only $9.99.

45. A discount price is
available for class sets
(minimum five books).
A free Instructor’s Manual
is available for instructors
and administrators.
Send an e-mail request
from your official account
to jreynoldswrite at
aol.com.