Commas and Coordinating Conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so)

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that joins (a) independent clauses or (b) three or more grammatical items in a series.

EXAMPLE: I worked hard for seven years, and I have the promotion to prove it.

 

Commas and Adverbial Clauses (because, although, if, whereas)

Use a comma after an adverbial clause that precedes an independent clause; use no comma before an adverbial clause that follows an independent clause.

EXAMPLES:
Because he talked more quickly than anyone else, Adam was selected as the auctioneer.
Adam was selected as the auctioneer because he talked more quickly than anyone else.

Exercises and More Punctuation coming soon!