Why is this risky? 😫
Olympiad jurors expect you to use the correct punctuation. Thus, you have two options:
🍵 First - avoid using complex sentences with commas. This is viable in ВсОШ as the jurors don't judge you on the beauty of the language and elaborate sentence structures.
🍵 Second - master the commas and be confident about the punctuation in your writings. (This I can help you with.)
The Comma is used...
1️⃣ to separate items in a series:
We bought basil, olive oil, mozzarella cheese, and tomatoes at the store.
🐈 This final comma before and is called the Oxford comma. It’s optional in general English, but it can help you add clarity.
2️⃣ before a coordinating conjunction (but, or, yet, for, and, nor, so) joining two independent clauses:
I didn’t have a good time in the Bahamas, so I intend to go to a different place next year.
3️⃣ after every item in an address or date (if there is more than one item):
My address is 511 Sand Lane, St. Joseph, Missouri.
I’m going to a conference on Monday, August 11, 2025.
4️⃣ after introductory words and phrases:
Fortunately, he said he would come to the cocktail party.
Susan, are you going to the bookstore?
Yes, I am going after dinner.
When I arrived, they were eating breakfast.
5️⃣ before descriptive dependent clauses with non-essential information that start with "which".
The children needed clothes that were washable.
🌟(no comma)
The children needed sturdy shoes, which were expensive.
🌟(yes comma)
6️⃣ to separate adjectives that can be connected with "and":
Robert is a warm, gentle, affectionate man.
(I hope to marry someone like Robert, tbh. 🌟)
7️⃣ to set off transitional and parenthetical expressions, absolute phrases, and contrasted elements.
Mike did not understand the assignment; therefore, he didn’t complete it.
🌟(transitional, логическая последовательность действий)
Evolution, as far as we know, does not work this way.
🌟 (parenthetical, можно обрамить скобками вместо запятых)
His writing skills at last perfected, Alex won the English Olympiad.
🌟 (absolute, обособленный оборот)
Celia, unlike Robert, didn't hate dance contests.
🌟 (contrasted, противопоставление)
8️⃣ before the text of a quotation.
He uttered solemnly, “I forgot the toilet paper.”
9️⃣ after the greeting of a friendly letter.
Dear Deborah,
Love English and respect the comma. 🌟
#knowhow