i use a comma

motherboards, graphic cards, CPUs. Use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence. You can use commas to connect two phrases that are completely independent. Learn more... Comma rules are the subject of much confusion and even heated debate (such as whether or not to use the Oxford comma). Always place a comma before or when it begins an independent clause, but if it begins a dependent clause, don’t. How to use a comma (,). Adding an Oxford comma makes the meaning clear: My favourite sandwiches are chicken, bacon, and ham and cheese. "Please let me know how I can assist you further. I like fried potatoes, and I adore mashed potato. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. ", "Thank you so much, this really cleared up commas for me! Of note, in most other countries, the use of periods (full stops) and commas is reversed when writing numbers. Do not use a comma. http://www.waysandhow.comSubscribe to Waysandhow: https://goo.gl/RK2SbN Punctuation commas, tips on how to use commas correctly. Using Commas to Set Off a Sentence’s Introductory Element. In certain cases, you can skip the comma when introducing a quotation. Use a comma to set off parenthetical elements, as in "The Founders Bridge, which spans the Connecticut River, is falling down." A comma is used to add clarity. Contending that the coordinating conjunction is adequate separation, some writers will leave out the comma in a sentence with short, balanced independent clauses (such as we see in the example just given). Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Grammar. For example: I know it is difficult, but it is worth the trouble. Make your message unmistakable and correct with the proper use of commas! wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. When a sentence … "Recently" is an introductory element, like "unsurprisingly" under Method 4. This is true for proper names, ordinary nouns, verbs, or anything else. If the piece of direct speech comes after the information about who is speaking, you need to use a comma to introduce the direct speech. Writers tend to make this mistake when forming sentences in which as separates two independent clauses. Sam and Sarah take excellent care of their pets. "You're confusing me, Sir.". But when we learn when and where to place commas, especially when using commas with conjunctions like but, and, because, so, if, and although, it makes our writing a bit easier. What is the proper comma usage in the sentence "Please let me know how I, can assist you further."? So it would look like: Also, we need groceries. Using it can make your meaning clearer. Home Using commas is necessary after city-state combination and any date combination within a sentence. Alice asked John once, but only once, to forgive her. Yes. While it is not always necessary to use a comma after a sentence’s introductory element, it’s usually a good idea to do so since omission can lead to hesitancy or confusion. Although using commas correctly may seem mysterious, it can be easy if you follow a few guidelines. ", Is a comma used in the sentence "in 1999 I married my love, Fred Weber, a graduate from Cleveland High?". All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Use a semicolon. To create this article, 45 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. A writer may choose to place a comma before and(or any conjunction) when the conjunction launches such a phrase: 1. This mistake is understandable because you can use a comma before a coordinate conjunction (e.g., "and," "but," "or"). One of the basic uses of a comma is to segregate items in a list. Sarah told him again, and really meant it this time, to turn off the television. Commas can separate adjectives, offset nonessential phrases, and introduce direct quotations. Although using commas correctly may seem mysterious, it can be easy if you follow a few guidelines. If your writing is for a particularly important occasion, such as a job resume, hire a proofreader or consult a friend with an excellent knowledge of punctuation to help you. In a series (or list) of three or more items, you can use a comma before or, but this is a preference, not a rule. You only do it when you need the comma to prevent confusion because your sentence could have two meanings. 17 rules for using commas correctly without looking like a fool 1. There are different types of subordinate clause, though, and in some types the use of commas can be very important. On the flip side, some believe it is vitally important to include an Oxford comma. Finally, quotations, interrupters, and some parenthetical statements need commas. … Don’t use a comma before which when it introduces an indirect question. In a list of three or more items, the Oxford comma (also known as the serial comma or the Harvard comma) is the comma used immediately before a grammatical conjunction (usually “and” / “or”) preceding the final item in the list. Don’t use a comma before which when it’s part of a prepositional phrase, such as “in which.”. It's here! References. Using an Oxford comma will never be grammatically incorrect, so if you’re unsure whether you need it, use it anyway. When you insert a comma before as, its meaning changes to “because.” Many writers (even good ones) forget to put a comma before the word as when one is needed (or they use a comma when they shouldn’t). Used properly, commas make the meaning of sentences clear by grouping and separating words, phrases, and clauses. OR But we also need cheese. when the i.e. Here is an example of an introductory word beginning a sentence: “, Introductory transitions may also take the form of phrases, such as, For example, this is a participial phrase: “, This is an example of a prepositional phrase: “, Here is an example of an infinitive phrase beginning a sentence: “, Here is an example of an absolute phrase beginning a sentence: “. Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. See more about Punctuation in direct speech. It's a good idea to get a (semi-)professional to review your work if possible. The final comma in these lists (before the word ‘and’) is known as the ‘serial comma’. Using Commas After So. The style for journalistic writing, as expressed in The Associated Press Stylebook, is to omit it. Are You Learning English? You can quickly eliminate this issue by using a comma to lengthen the sentence while keeping your grammar in check. This comma usage is incorrect, as shown in this example: “At the store I will buy, Do not use commas when all the items in a series are linked by. The Chicago Manual of Style has an excellent entry on this topic in its Q&A section online. Here is an example of a FANBOYS conjunction connecting two independent clauses: “I checked out three books from the library, For example, if your sentence joins only two words with a conjunction, do not use a comma: “Give me all the, If your sentence uses “for” as a preposition to join a dependent clause, do not use a comma: “I’m saving money, If your sentence uses “so” to emphasize another word, do not use a comma: “The teacher was, If your sentence uses “so” in the phrase “so that,” do not use a comma: “Elena knew that she should eat her breakfast, For example, here is a sentence that begins with an introductory adverb: “. before an essential or restrictive clause, that is, a clause that limits or defines the material it modifies. It is used to indicate a short pause during the course of a sentence, when the speaker wishes to take a slight break. We use commas to separate a series of adjectives which modify the same noun. Use a Comma to Separate Elements in a List. A common comma error is to set off the beginning of the modifier with a comma, but not the end. Compound sentences. Virtually all American style guides recommend to follow both “i.e.” and “e.g.” with a comma (just like if “that is” and “for example” were used instead), so the very same sentence in American English would become: The switch that stops the recording device also controls the light. There are different types of subordinate clause, though, and in some types the use of commas can be very important. Split text strings into multiple rows/columns by space/comma/delimiter with Kutools for Excel. Use commas in lists, addresses, dates, and in numbers greater than 999. The most standardized format of “commas in dates” implies to separate a day of the week from a month and a month from a year ‒ for example, Saturday, May 12, … This is the most difficult rule in punctuation because it is sometimes unclear what … % of people told us that this article helped them. If you left it out, the sentence wouldn’t make much sense. The rules are easiest to learn and deploy if you first understand four common sentence types: compound, simple, complex, and compound-complex. Commas are used before coordinating conjunctions when there is a complete sentence before and after the conjunction. Only use a comma to separate a dependent clause at the end of a sentence for added emphasis, usually when negation occurs. An example of correct comma usage with a name would look like this: “Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was a lawyer before he became president.” In this case. Full feature free trial 30-day, no credit … For example, “I want to play with my friends, but I have to finish my homework first.” Grammar Whether to use a comma before or after which in a sentence is a dilemma that many people face when writing. Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) that links two independent clauses. Using Commas, Semicolons, and Colons Within Sentences. Is the comma correct in the sentence "Elizabeth is my full name, but I go by Liza?". Here is an example of using a comma to connect independent sentences. "Did the neighbor or anyone else ever see this abuse? 2. Be sure never to add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself or to use commas with non-coordinate adjectives. Here is an example of an absolute phrase concluding a sentence: “The couple hurried home, Common subordinating conjunctions include, For example, here is an adverb clause that begins a sentence: “. You may have learned that the comma before the "and" is unnecessary, which is fine if you're in control of things. c) to separate words or phrases inserted into the body of a sentence. Use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence. Therefore, it’s important to use a comma when connecting two independent clauses, as you want to ensure your readers know the two are related. For example, here is a sentence interrupted by a direct address to another person: “That's why I'm appointing you, Here is an example of a restrictive modifier in a sentence: “Drivers, Here is another example of a restrictive modifier: “The song, In almost all cases, a clause beginning with the relative pronoun. For German native speakers, the use of the Oxford comma is a common source of confusion. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 415,887 times. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. For example, in the sentence “Drivers who exceed the speed limit are reckless," there are no commas because the clause “who exceed the speed limit” is essential to the meaning of the sentence. Here is another example of a non-restrictive modifier: “Fatima. Correct: Some useful subjects are English, which is an … Note that the final quotation mark follows the full stop at the end of the direct speech: You also need to use a comma at the end of a piece of direct speech, if the speech comes before the information about who is speaking. Only use a comma to separate a dependent clause at the end of a sentence for added emphasis, usually when negation occurs. It depends on how you use it in a sentence, if you want to show the reader to have a slight pause, you put a comma. You can also use commas when a quotation is interrupted by a phrase like “he said” or “she said.” In fact, you use two commas. Using a comma to make a connection between two independent clauses; In an independent clause, both the subjects and the verb can exist on its own in a sentence. Not all writers or publishers use it, but it is used by Oxford Dictionaries – some people refer to it as ‘the Oxford comma’. You should write 'I love you. The comma comes before the first quotation mark. You need a comma because "In 1999" is an introductory element. a sentence which is made up of a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses). ”; it is recommended even by those who discourage the use of the Oxford comma (the comma before the last item in a list). wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Commas should be used before and when joining two independent clauses or when compiling a list. The other type of subordinate clause beginning with ‘who’, ‘which’, ‘whom’, etc. Tip: Each part is a separate piece of information, micro … Here are the three rules for using commas with vocatives: use a comma after a vocative at the start of the sentence. The comma plays a crucial role in the construction of a sentence, especially a run-on long complex sentence. The comma is one of the most used punctuation mark in the English Language. Commas are frequently misused, though some argue that the rules for how and when to use commas are somewhat lax. Yes. If we removed the relative clause from the example above, then the whole point of that sentence would be lost and we’d be left with the rather puzzling statement: You should not put commas round a restrictive relative clause. Sam, and Sarah take excellent care of their pets. The comma operator has the lowest precedence of any C operator, and acts as a sequence point. The reality of comma usage is far more complex because this form of punctuation has many different uses. ", It depends on the context. To create this article, 45 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Using commas with compound sentences or to separate clauses with other commas can cause confusion. This technique may be acceptable to signal pauses when writing dialogue in fiction. Comma definition: (noun) a punctuation mark that separates a list or indicates a pause … Don't use a comma after however when it means 'in whatever way': However you look at it, existing investors are likely to lose out. Explore more than 1,851 'Using Comma List' resources for teachers, parents, and students. However, I recommend it in all usage. Is my use of commas in the following sentences correct? In American English, a comma (also known as serial comma or Oxford comma) is inserted before the conjunction separating the last item in the list. Like number two above, they would require commas to separate them. We usually use such a sign of punctuation as a comma (,) with the purpose of specifying the pause or dividing various list elements. The word can be used as part of a nonrestrictive phrase, restrictive phrase, or prepositional phrase, and it can be used as an interrogative word. Here is an example. ", "It helped to clarify my use of commas. A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses linked by a coordinating conjunction. A subordinate clause beginning with ‘who’, ‘which’, ‘that’, ‘whom’, or ‘where’ is known as a relative clause. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/da\/Use-Commas-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-Commas-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/da\/Use-Commas-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid179575-v4-728px-Use-Commas-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"