When to use a comma

Revised on November 29, 2022 by Jack Caulfield. Quotation marks (also known as quotes or inverted commas) are used to indicate direct speech and quotations. In academic writing, you need to use quotation marks when you quote a source. This includes quotes from published works and primary data such as interviews.

After an introductory prepositional phrase. Before and after a participle phrase. When a word is omitted intentionally for stylistic reasons. After an adverbial infinitive phrase. At the end of a quotation, before the closing quotation mark. Before an opening quotation mark. To set off contrasting phrases. A few basic rules for comma usage include the use of commas to separate independent clauses in a sentence and the use of commas after introductory clauses or phrases. Another basic...Use a comma after transition words and phrases that begin a sentence: however, therefore, on the other hand, for example, etc. Example: Today is a national ...Rules for using commas. Use a comma when a series of two or more adjectives modify a noun. Sal’s band plays loud, abrasive, complex music. Use a comma to separate three or more items in a series. Anna’s grandmother is good at making fudge, nursing hurt animals, tending fruit trees, telling stories, and playing Scrabble.In this sentence, the colon separates the preposition “to” from its objects (“Rome,” “Israel,” and “Egypt”). To write this sentence correctly, the colon should be removed. When I graduate, I want to go to Rome, Israel, and Egypt. Lastly, colons should not be used after “including,” “especially,” or other similar phrases.

When and is used between the last two elements in a series of three or more things, the question of whether to use a comma before it is a matter of publishing style or individual preference. This comma is called the Oxford or serial comma. Both example sentences below are grammatically correct, but the first uses the Oxford comma and the …Apr 4, 2017 · Here, the conjunction ( and) joins verbs ( scratched and added) in a compound predicate. Placing commas in this type of sentence is straightforward: Do not place a comma before the conjunction in a compound predicate. Always use commas around phrases (such as fretting over the punctuation) that intervene in a compound predicate. The number one million consists of six zeros. This figure doesn’t contain decimal points. One million is also referred to as one thousand thousand, and a comma is used to separate ...A comma separates words, not letters. Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives ( We enjoyed the warm, sunny weather ). Use commas to separate items in a list. Use the Oxford or serial comma before the last item in a list to clarify the list. Put a comma after introductory words, phrases, and clauses. Nonrestrictive …6 Oct 2022 ... Comma before or after but? Use a comma before "but" when connecting two independent clauses and use it after "but" when it's an interrupter.Sep 21, 2016 · Hi Annemarie, In salutations or greetings, a comma is not used after Dear but it is used after words such as Hi, Hello, or Good Morning. This is proper English punctuation. In emails, it has become common not to use a comma between a word such as Hi and the person’s name. For example: Hi Sue, Hey Lara, For informal emails, this may be acceptable.

Rule #1: Use Commas to Separate Items in a List. This probably the first use of commas you learned in school: separating items in a list of three or more things. Here’s an example: The cake mix requires flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. Note that some style guides would not add the comma after the word “eggs”.Introduction to commas. A comma helps to make meaning clear by separating words, phrases or clauses in a sentence. Commas are used to separate clauses, coordinate adjectives and items in a list ... After an introductory prepositional phrase. Before and after a participle phrase. When a word is omitted intentionally for stylistic reasons. After an adverbial infinitive phrase. At the end of a quotation, before the closing quotation mark. Before an opening quotation mark. To set off contrasting phrases. Jun 27, 2023 · A colon (:) is used to introduce information set up by the previous clause. It’s typically used before a list, example, or explanation. A semicolon (;) is used to join related independent clauses together in the same sentence without a conjunction. Now let’s discuss the details on when and how to use each and where the dash ( — ) fits in. Grammarly. Updated on May 18, 2023 Grammar. A dash is a little horizontal line that floats in the middle of a line of text (not at the bottom; that’s an underscore). It’s longer than a hyphen and is commonly used to indicate a range or a pause. Dashes are used to separate groups of words, not to separate parts of words like a hyphen does.It is incorrect to use a comma before “however” when it merges two sentences. Doing so creates a comma splice. However, when “however” is used as a conjunctive adverb to connect two independent clauses, a comma may be used before it. For example: The weather was terrible, however, they still went to the beach.

Mammoth lakes mountain.

Other Comma Uses. Another use of commas is to signal and set off introductory words, phrases, or clauses and nonessential clauses or parenthetical expressions.2 Jul 2019 ... Do not use a comma when the subject has two verbs. WRONG: President Obama addressed Congress, and called for higher taxes for the wealthy. RIGHT ...Commas to introduce a sentence. If you introduce a …Oct 22, 2023 · When to Use a Comma. Comma Rules. When to Use Commas (with Examples of Using Commas in Sentences) When Not to Use a Comma. When …When and connects two independent clauses, you should use a comma. In a list of three (or more), the use of a comma before and is optional.

6. Commas and Numbers. You use commas in Spanish to separate the answer in mathematics. Two times two, four. In terms of decimals and commas, different Spanish-speaking countries have their own systems. In México, Puerto Rico, and parts of Central América, commas and periods are used in the same way as in American English.Mar 27, 2023 · The comma encapsulation around “but not limited to” generally marks its parenthetical function in sentences. In other similar, lengthy expressions, though, such as “included but not limited to,” “including without limitation to,” and “including without limiting the generality of the foregoing,” the comma enclosure would be more ... Learn 6 quick comma rules for: intro elements, transitions, words in series, contrasts, direct quotations, two sentences joined by a conjunction.2 days ago · Learn how commas help readers understand and comprehend sentences. Find out the six basic ways to use commas correctly in a series, …In American English, the comma (,) has a similar appearance to a quotation mark (“), possessing a rounded head and a small, curved tail. This tail helps to differentiate the comma from a period (.), and while both punctuations act as a sort of breath between words, only the period can end a sentence. The comma can only end a clause, or in ...Comma before and that joins two independent clauses. The word and is a conjunction, and when a conjunction joins two independent clauses, you should use a comma with it. The proper place for the comma is before the conjunction. On Monday we’ll see the Eiffel Tower, and on Tuesday we’ll visit the Louvre.Apr 4, 2017 · Here, the conjunction ( and) joins verbs ( scratched and added) in a compound predicate. Placing commas in this type of sentence is straightforward: Do not place a comma before the conjunction in a compound predicate. Always use commas around phrases (such as fretting over the punctuation) that intervene in a compound predicate. Use commas to separate independent clauses when …comma: [noun] a punctuation mark, used especially as a mark of separation within the sentence.Usage guide. Don’t use a comma before or after the word that, either as a relative pronoun (when it introduces information essential to meaning) or as a conjunction (when it introduces a relative clause).The word which is also used as a relative pronoun, but it generally presents an optional description, which you should enclose in commas …Let’s review when it is appropriate to use commas and when it is not. Using Commas Around Names and Titles. Commas rules dictate that they are only used around nonessential clauses. Nonessential clauses are clauses that can be removed from a sentence without affecting the grammar or meaning of a sentence. They may add detail, …Jul 14, 2022 · As a general rule, you don’t need a comma after and. Even if you start a sentence with an introductory “and,” you should not place a comma after it. The future is bright. And, it’s coming faster than you think. The only occasion when a comma might appear after “and” is when the sentence is interrupted at that point by a ...

Use commas to separate a series of three or more items, actions, words, or phrases. Oxford Comma (in a Series) Use a comma between coordinating adjectives. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it joins two related independent clauses. Use Commas After Introductory Subordinate Clauses, Dependent Clauses.

In this case, the nonessential appositive word or phrase should be set off with commas. 4. Use a comma with direct quotations. Use a comma to introduce dialogue. When you have a phrase like “she said” that identifies the speaker of the dialogue or quote, you use a comma to separate the phrase from the quote.May 15, 2023 · When to Use a Comma Before “And” Grammarly. Updated on May 15, 2023 Grammar. Whether or not you put a comma before and depends on …Use of the word because as a subordinating conjunction — to link a main clause to a subordinating clause — should be simple, but a sentence’s meaning often hinges on whether it’s preceded by a comma.. A straightforward sentence such as “We’re off to see the wizard because of the wonderful things he does” requires no comma; the …... two sentences into one. Do not use a comma before 'and' in a list of two. Only use a comma in a list of three or more if your region uses the serial comma.In this document, the four uses of the comma are called the listing comma, the joining comma, the gapping comma and bracketing commas. Each use has its own ...Learn how to use commas correctly in English sentences with seven easy steps. Find out when to use commas with introductory bits, FANBOYS, lists, …Serial comma examples. The serial comma can be used (or left out) in any list of three or more items. It can be used regardless of what those items are (e.g., nouns, verbs, adjectives, longer phrases) and whether the conjunction used is “or” or “and.” Examples: Oxford comma The concert tickets included backstage passes, VIP seating,. …Example: Comma before “but” connecting two independent clauses. Maria hoped to go for a walk, but it rained all day. You must use a comma after “but” only when you include an interrupter. An interrupter is a word or phrase used to emphasize or qualify the statement and to express mood or tone.

Best webtoons.

English movie lucy.

4. Breaking up sentences. A clause is the building block for a sentence. Commas can be used to break up sentences that have more than one clause, to make them ...The Em Dash as Comma or Parenthesis. Em dashes are used in place of commas or parentheses to emphasize or draw attention to parenthetical or amplifying material. In this particular task, em dashes occupy a kind of middle ground among the three: when commas do the job, the material is most closely related to what’s around it, and when ...Commas represent a short pause and are used to divide parts of a sentence. Learn how to use a comma in a sentence with these examples and best practices.Here are some key points you might want to share with them. We use commas in a list. Each word, apart from the last one, is separated by a comma. We don’t use a comma before the first word. We connect the …Commas are a form of punctuation used to mark a pause in a sentence. The pause is less long than the one warranted by periods, and commas are found in the middle of sentences, not at the end. They pretty much do the same job as brackets, but they just look a lot neater. Plus, you can use a lot of commas in your writing, but a lot of brackets ...Rule 1. Use a comma after a conjunctive adverb at the beginning of a new sentence. The mayor wants to build a new park. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough money for the project.House prices have gone up. Consequently, fewer houses have been sold this year.My friend put a box on the table.When using a comma before “unfortunately,” you must always include a comma after. This turns it into something called a parenthetical element (using parentheses just like this). Sometimes, you might not include the comma directly after “unfortunately.”. In these cases, it’s because there’s more to add to the parenthetical element ...When you use the phrase 'of course' you have to use a comma. It doesn't matter whether it is in the middle or at the beginning of a sentence. I'm completely sure that the first two sentences are right, but the last one seems wrong to me. Except at the end of a sentence: Of course, you have to use a comma after of course.3 Dec 2020 ... Use commas when you want to slow down the pace. Remove them when you want to speed things up. Personally I like minimizing commas for punchier ...Use commas to set off non-restrictive modifiers. Do not use commas to set off restrictive modifiers. Non-restrictive vs. restrictive modifiers A non-restrictive modifier adds information that is not essential to our understanding of the sentence; if we remove it from the sentence, the basic meaning of the sentence does not change. A restrictive ...Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main clause. Conditional sentences are statements discussing known factors or hypothetical situations and their consequences. We use them to communicate that something is true or happens only if something else is true or happens—that is, only under a certain condition . ….

Jan 30, 2021 · Comma rules may seem arbitrary, but the proper use of commas can prevent misunderstandings. Sometimes English teachers describe commas as short pauses in the middle of a sentence. In contrast, periods indicate a full stop. Always use commas to separate the elements of a series of three or more things, particularly the last two. “She saddled her horse, hopped on, and rode off into the sunset.”. You may have learned that it’s not necessary to use a comma before “and” – and that’s fine in most cases. However, there are some times when adding a comma ... Comma before and that joins two independent clauses. The word and is a conjunction, and when a conjunction joins two independent clauses, you should use a comma with it. The proper place for the comma is before the conjunction. On Monday we’ll see the Eiffel Tower, and on Tuesday we’ll visit the Louvre.Appositives—What They Are and How to Use Them. An appositive noun or noun phrase follows another noun or noun phrase in apposition to it; that is, it provides information that further identifies or defines it. Such “bonus facts” are framed by commas unless the appositive is restrictive (i.e., provides essential information about the noun).Use commas to set off non-restrictive modifiers. Do not use commas to set off restrictive modifiers. Non-restrictive vs. restrictive modifiers A non-restrictive modifier adds information that is not essential to our understanding of the sentence; if we remove it from the sentence, the basic meaning of the sentence does not change. A restrictive ...Learn the rules and exceptions for using commas in different contexts, such as lists, clauses, dates, and appositives. See examples of how to avoid comma splices and use the serial comma (Oxford comma). Find out when to use commas with but, and, or, and more. See moreCommas and conjunctions. Conjunctions (die Konjunktionen) are words that link sentences together. While some German conjunctions are always preceded by a comma, others are not. Use a comma with … The following conjunctions: aber but, einerseits - andererseits on the one hand … on the other, jedoch however, je - desto the … the, je - umso the … the, …If you were to use a comma to link main clauses, it would be a comma splice. Think of commas as being too weak to hold main clauses together without the ...An ASCII rose can most easily be created using regular keyboard keys by typing “@}-,-‘–.” This rose can be varied by typing additional commas and apostrophes or by using more dashe... When to use a comma, [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1], [text-1-1]