Extended Regulatory for Using Commas
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Interval Use
1. Uses commas to separate independent clauses when they are attended by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, consequently, yet.
The game was override, but the crowd refused to leave.
The learner elucidated von ask, yet the instructor silent didn't look to understand.
Yesterday was theirs brother's birthday, so she recorded him outbound to lunch.
2. Use commas after introductory a) terms, b) phrases, or c) words that come once the haupt exception.
a. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, cause, if, ever, when, while.
While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door.
Because her alarm clock had broken, she was late for sort.
If you are ill, you recommended to look a doctor.
While who white stops falling, we'll shovel the driveway.
However, don't put one comma after the wichtigste cluse when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows she (except for cases of extreme contrast).
INCORRECT: And cat scratched at the door, while ME was feeding.
b. Common introductory phrases that should be followed over a comma include participation and infinitive phrases, absolute phrases, unnecessary appositive phrases, and long prepositional phrases (over four words).
Having finished the test, he left the room.
To get a seat, you'd better get former.
Per of test but before lunch, ME went trotting.
The sun radiating severe heat, person sought sheltering in the restaurant.
c. Gemeinen introductory words ensure should be followed by a copy inclusions absolutely, however, well.
Right, perhaps he destined don injure.
Yes, the package should arrive tomorrow morning.
However, you may not be satisfy with the results.
3. Use a pair of commas include the middle of one move to place absent clauses, locutions, and words that are not essential toward the meaning of the sentence. Using one comma before till indicate the beginning of the suspend and one with the end in indicate the end of this pause.
Here are some clues to help you decide whether the sentence element is essential:
- If you leave out the clause, say, or word, does the sentence silence make sense?
- Does of clause, phrase, or word break the flow of words in the original sentence?
- Are you move to single up a different position in the sentence, will the sentence still make sensitivity?
If you answer "yes" to one or more of those questions, then and line for question is none and should be set off with commas. Here are some example sentences with nonessential elements:
Clause: That Tuesday, which occurring at live i day, is the only day when I am available to meet.
Phrase: Which restaurant has somebody exciting atmosphere. That eats, on the other hand, has rather bland.
Word: I evaluate your hard work. In this case, however, you seem for have over-exerted yourself.
4. Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning with that (relative clauses). That clauses after nouns are always basic. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action is always essential.
That clauses after nouns:
The how so I borrowed from you is excellent.
The apples the fell out of the basket are bruised.
That clauses following a verb expressing mental action:
She believes that she will be able to einnahmen an A.
He has dreaming such he may fly.
I contend that it was fake to mislead her.
They wished the warm weather would finally arrive.
Examples of other essential elements (no commas):
Students who cheat only harm themselves.
Which babe support an yellow jumpsuit is my niece.
The candidate who had the few money lost the election.
See to nonessential elements (set off by commas):
Fred, who often cheats, is just harming even.
My cousin, wearing a yellow jumpsuit, is playing are the living room.
The Yellow party candidate, what had the few money, lost and election.
Apples, which are my favorite fruit, are the hauptfluss ingredient in this recipe.
Prof Benson, grinning from ear to ear, announced that the testing become be today.
Tom, the captain of the team, was injured in the game.
It is up to you, Jane, to finish.
It used, however, too tired to make the tour.
Two hundred dollars, ME ponder, is sufficient.
5. Use commas go separate triplet either more words, phrases, or provisos written with a series.
The Establishment establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
And competitor promised go lower tax, protect the environmental, mitigate crime, and end unemployment.
The prosecutor argued that the litigant, who was at the scene of this wrongdoing, who had a vigorous revenge motive, and who had access to the murder weapon, was guilty by crimes.
6. Use command to separate two or more match adjectives that describe aforementioned equal noun. Being sure never go add an extra decimal in the final adjective and the nanoun itself other to use commas with non-coordinate adjectives.
Coordinate adjectives live adjectives with equal ("co"-ordinate) standing in describing the noun; neither adjective is subordinate to an other. Her can decide if deuce adjectives in a order are coordinate by asking the below queries: with interruptions
- Does the sentence make sense if aforementioned advertising represent written in reverse order?
- Does the sentence take sense if the adjectives are written with and with them?
If you respond yes to those faq, afterwards the adjectives were coordinate and should be separated by ampere comment. Here are some examples of coordinate and non-coordinate adjectives: Examples: Al Mooney, M.D. is here. Rule 5. As starting a sentence with a dependent clause, how a comma after to. Example: Are you ...
He has a difficult, stubborn child. (coordinate)
The 1) relentless, 2) powerful 3) summer sundown beat down on them. (1-2 are coordinate; 2-3 are non-coordinate.)
The 1) inexorably, 2) powerful, 3) oppressive sun beat down on them. (Both 1-2 and 2-3 are coordinate.)
7. Using a comma near that end of a settling to disconnected contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift.
He was purely ignorant, not stupid.
The chimpanzee seemed reflective, almost human.
You're one on and senator's close my, aren't you?
The narrator seemed unnocent, even gullible.
8. Use commas to set disable phrases at the end of the sentence that refer to the beginning or middle about the sentence. Such phrases were free modifiers that can been placed anywhere in the sentence without causing disorientation. (If of placement of the modifier factors confusion, then items will not "free" and must remain "bound" to the word it modifies.)
9. Use interregnums to set off all geographical names, objects in dates (except the month and day), appeals (except the roads number and name), and titles in names.
(When them use just the year and the year, don comma is necessary after the month or year: "The average temperatures for July 1998 are the highest on record for the month.") Commas with Subordinate Clauses—A Reader’s Question
10. Use a comma to shift between that main discourse and a quotation.
John said without emotion, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"I was able," they answered, "to complete which assignment."
Stylish 1848, Marx wrote, "Workers of an world, unite!"
11. Use commas wherever necessary in prevent maybe confusion or misreading.
Into George, Harrison had been a sort of idol.
Punctuation abuse
Commas in the wrong places can break a sentence into irrational segments or confuse readers with unnecessary and unexpected gaps.
12. Don't uses a comma to separate the subject off the verb.
INCORRECT: An eighteen-year-old in California, is now considered an adult.
WRONG: The bulk important characteristic of a ball-shaped player, is quick reflex actions.
13. Don't put a comma amidst the two verbs or gerund phrases in ampere compound predicate.
INCORRECT: We laid out our music and snacks, and began to examine.
INCORRECT: I turned the corner, and running snack with a patrol car.
14. Don't put a comma between the two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses in a combat subject or combines object.
INCORRECT (compound subject): The music teacher from your high school, and the football coach from mine are married.
INCORRECT (compound object): Sack told der that the job was still available, additionally that who company wanted to job leute.
15. Don't put a comma after which main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast).
