For example: 1. This hugely depends on context. As we can see, commas always want to be the ones introducing the pre-amble to a sentence. “Stop clubbing baby seals” reads like an order to desist harming infant mammals of the seal variety. Now, I have seen sources that say a comma should never precede “because,” but I think this guideline ignores an important distinction in meaning. While I understand your concern, you're abjectly wrong and I'm no longer listening to you. The two independent clauses “I went running” and “I saw a duck” could instead be separated by a period. Without the comma, it would seem that multiple Scrooges were raking in the coins. The word “says” in “Joe Dane says” suggests he does so regularly. For example, “I lay under the powerful summer sun.” “Powerful” describes “summer sun” as a whole phrase. Hi is an interjection just like wow and ugh, and dear is an adjective that modifies John. Appositives act as synonyms for a … “A Rule without Exception”: Chicago, 1906. You don’t need to add a comma when the sentence mentions only the month and year: Read more: “Stop clubbing, baby seals.” (Or rather, to stay on theme:“Stop clubbing, baby ducks.”). People often get muddled about whether to place a comma before conjunctions like and, so, because, and or. …Q Were you the only one there? It can also divide clauses (“parts of a sentence”) or items in a list. 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. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. No, you don't need a comma after Say. 12 everyday phrases that you’re probably saying incorrectly, Another example: “Finally, I went running.”. Granddad looked at me over the top of his glasses and said, "I've seen it all and done it all. Only use a comma to separate a dependent clause at the end of a sentence for added emphasis, usually when negation occurs. A 69-year old prisoner is trying to change that one livestream at a time. It depends! Use a Comma After an Introductory Word or Phrase. Being a recluse, Dawn stayed home most days. You see, Hi, John is different from Dear John because hi and dear are not the same kind of word. You have been successfully subscribed to the Grammarly blog. Adverbs that don’t end in “ly,” such as “when” or “while,” usually introduce a dependent clause, which rule number two in this post already covered. It is also standard practice to put a comma after the name of the person you're addressing. However, the final comma—the one that comes before the and —is optional. Here's what it was like. The rule outlined here in #2 is valuable to avoid misinterpretation. In English commas are used to mark places where the reader naturally pauses, or they are used to “section off” parts of sentences. For example,“The duck that attacked me scared my friend” doesn’t require any commas. Doing these 24 uncomfortable things will pay off forever, Yes, Apple just killed iTunes — here's what that means for your library of music, movies, and TV shows. In this case, you still need the comma if the negation occurs at the end of the sentence: Also use commas when any distinct shift occurs in the sentence or thought process: “The cloud looked like an animal, perhaps a baby seal.”, Read more: Follow Business Insider Australia on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. …Q Did you go with her? When the words after yes and no “echo” the words of the question, use a comma. If the clause beginning with or were rewritten to eliminate the subject and verb, it would not be able to stand on its own, and there would be no comma. Read more: What’s more, it has a much cleaner typographical appearance. And, it is often used to create division or to improve the clarity of a … This is why there should be a comma before or. In a way, they allow you to say just a little bit more in one, complete sentence. I know I have a very fuzzy way of determining whether a comma is actually needed and prefer to use them as little as possible.. It is considered good style to place a comma before or when it begins an independent clause. …A Yes, I did. Each of the two clauses here can stand independently. As mentioned above, when you are listing three or more items, commas should separate each element of the list. In the previous example, “I went running” and “I saw a duck” are both independent clauses, and “and” is the coordinating conjunction that connects them. Didi may want to spend her roulette winnings on that Ferrari she always wanted, or a luxury vacation. For example, this usage of “but” does not take a comma: “To quack but to have no one hear is a sad thing for a duck.”. However, that didn’t stop critics from hailing him as one of the most notable of 20th century American poets – Cummings received over 10 awards for his poems in his lifetime, including the Guggenheim Fellowship. Want to learn more about commas? We can invest our savings in stocks, bonds or real estate. The rule for where the comma goes, however, depends on where attribution comes. I think there's a trend these todays toward a lighter use of commas. The version without the Oxford comma, however, takes on an entirely different meaning, potentially suggesting that only one invitation was sent – to two strippers named JFK and Stalin. As long as the phrase somehow gives more information about its predecessor, you usually need a comma. 2. Or is a coordinating conjunction, which means that it coordinates two elements of equal syntactic importance (i.e., two things of identical grammatical weight). Otherwise, no one would know why the duck scared your friend. An independent clause is a clause which could stand alone as its own sentence, because it has its own subject and verb. If a dependent clause ends the sentence, however, it no longer requires a comma. When just two short grammatical elements are coordinated with or, do not separate them with a comma. Starting a sentence with “however,” however, is discouraged by many careful writers. Didi may want to spend her roulette winnings on that Ferrari she always wanted or a luxury vacation. 11 reasons the English language is impossible to learn, Another example: “Yes, I saw a duck when I went running.”, Another clever meme shows the problem with incorrect placement of this comma. Although the Oxford University Press uses it (hence the name), American English writers use it more often than British English writers. (Note the pattern when the clause is in the middle.) I moved to the US from China — here are the biggest cultural differences I've noticed between the 2 countries, Bath & Body Works is now a standalone company — we visited a store and saw why it's been L Brands' secret weapon, CBA and NAB pass on RBA interest rate cut in full, but ANZ and Westpac defy Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's orders, How to watch Netflix on your TV in 5 different ways, The incredible story of Ferrari's 72-year journey from an upstart racing team to a $27 billion luxury brand. Phrases like “on the other hand” and “furthermore” also fall into this category. Does the sentence still make sense if you reverse the order of the words? Don’t offset a phrase that gives necessary information to the sentence. The comma is used in many contexts and languages, mainly to separate parts of a sentence such as clauses and items in lists, particularly when there are three or more items listed. Don’t let the length of an appositive scare you. Appositives act as synonyms for a juxtaposed word or phrase. Two clauses that typically need a comma between them are an independent clause (a clause that could be its own stand-alone sentence) and a dependent clause, which cannot stand alone. The final geographic element should also be followed by a comma when it appears in the middle of a sentence. Since “I saw the mean, big duck ” and “I saw the big and mean duck” both sound fine, you need the comma. Didi may want to spend her roulette winnings on that Ferrari she always wanted, or she may go on a luxury vacation. For example, both of these examples can be considered correct: We can invest our savings in stocks, bonds, or real estate. How to Wish Someone Well in 2021. Mood: How to Use Tone and Mood in Your Writing, Beware of These Common Consistency Issues in Writing, Happy New Year, New Year’s, or New Years? 9 words and phrases people think are wrong, but are actually correct. It’s most easily explained by example: “Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer…” (Shakespeare: Richard III, in case you don’t recognise it.) The use of a comma has a lot to do with the clauses you’re combining. Including the final comma in this sentence makes it much more readable. (Rule 4) You can only use a comma (i.e., not a colon) after a quotation. “A mallard, the kind of duck I saw when I went running, attacked me.”. in lists. Should you use a comma before or? The rest, as they say, is history. Commas always follow these clauses at the start of a sentence. This comma is called the serial comma or the Oxford comma. Margie Wakeman Wells. Contrary to popular belief, commas don’t just signify pauses in a sentence. A comma (,) signifies a short pause in a sentence. Santa’s sleigh … A better method would be to use “however” within a sentence after the phrase you want to negate, as in the previous sentence. When the salutation in your email starts with Hello or Hi, you should put a comma before the name of the person you’re addressing. Notify your doctor if you experience dizziness, fainting spells, nausea, vomiting, weak or rapid pulse, or difficulty breathing. It eliminates a mental “hoop” for the reader to jump through. When followed, they lay the groundwork for clear written communication. Mary needs bread, milk, and butter at the grocery store. (You could also use a colon here.) Whether or not you should use it is a stylistic choice. This is the much-debated Oxford comma (or serial comma). For example: Hi, Maria. An independent clause is a unit of grammatical organisation that includes both a subject and verb and can stand on its own as a sentence. In the above example – “While running, I saw a mallard, a kind of duck” – “A kind of duck” is the appositive, which gives more information about “a mallard.”, If the appositive occurs in the middle of the sentence, both sides of the phrase need a comma. Many if-phrases usually need one: "If you're using commas at all, you need one in this sentence after all." You may need to learn a few grammatical terms to understand this one. If you learned in school that you should always put a comma before someone’s name, I’m very sorry to inform … I just don't remember any of it." Even though the phrase “that attacked me” describes “the duck,” it provides essential information to the sentence. When the first edition of Chicago’s competing guide went on sale to the public—in 1906, as Manual of Style—the quotation marks were double, and the commas and periods went inside. The answer depends on how you are using or. We’ve compiled a list of all the times when you’ll need the mighty comma – and we wrote sentences about ducks to show you their proper use: Rebecca Aydin and Christina Sterbenz contributed to a previous version of this post. Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives that describe the same noun equally. In About-Face, UK Will Not Allow Huawei To Be Involved In Any Part Of... Universal Orlando Parks Will Reopen June 5 Despite Risk Of... Pro-Privacy Lawmakers Secure A Vote To Protect Browsing Data From... Jurassic World: Dominion Is Definitely Not The Planned End Of The... White Twitch Talk Show Host Finally Drops 'Rajj Patel' Moniker, Everything We Know About The PlayStation 5. Correct: "Anyway," she said, "I have to go." This often occurs with adjunct nouns, a phrase where a noun acts as an adjective describing another noun – like “chicken soup” or “dance club.”. In my first couple editing jobs, I was exposed a lot to the idea that news and feature articles should 1. use everyday, conversational language and 2. make sense. Many adverbs end in “ly” and answer the question “how?” How did someone do something? Commas should be used to separate geographic elements, as in the examples below. Hello, Nigel, Good morning, Kendra. The Oxford comma reduces ambiguity in lists. Always place a comma before or when it begins an independent clause, but if it begins a dependent clause, don’t. Some people say to always use it and other people say to only use it when leaving it out would cause confusion. In a series (or list) of three or more items, you can use a … You’re right: In open punctuation there is no punctuation after the greeting and the closing. Would you like that martini shaken or stirred? If you’re trying to indicate a natural pause or inject your dialogue with some dramatic effect, commas can be your friend. Even if you add a weekday, keep the comma after “2013”: Friday, March 15, 2013, was the day I saw the duck. The word comma comes from the Greek κόμμα (kómma), which originally meant a … As fun as it may be to say, the comma “splice” should be avoided. In this case, commas indicate pauses. Wait—not what you wanted to hear? Grant on March 10, 2016 2:13 pm. While a comma after the title may be correct on rare occasions (which don’t concern us here), a comma only before a name or title is wrong. That said, advocates of the Oxford comma do have a strong argument when it comes to the clarity. Introductory phrases are a nice way to add depth and variety to your writing. In fact, precise rules govern when to use this punctuation mark. As in: “A mallard, a kind of duck, attacked me.”. The Best Snapchat Games To Play Right Now, Disable UPnP On Your Wireless Router Already, This Android Wallpaper Can Brick Your Phone, Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories, Give us your thoughts on these small business practices to win a $250 Westfield gift card, How COVID-19 is ravaging two cities across the US-Mexico border, with no end in sight. “But wait,” the Business Insider reporter wrote, “there’s more ways to use commas.”. You should use a comma between two adjectives when they are coordinate adjectives. Should you use a comma before or? The sentence, “We invited the strippers, JFK, and Stalin,” means the speaker sent three separate invitations: one to some strippers, one to JFK, and one to Stalin. Although many consider it unnecessary, others (including Business Insider) insist on its use to reduce ambiguity. With coordinate adjectives you can put "and" between them and the meaning is the same. Case 2 Open punctuation is an option in the U.S. too, but using a colon or comma is standard and much more common. We took a 4-hour flight on the new Delta Airbus jet that Boeing tried to keep out of the US. The serial comma is the comma before the last “and” in a series: red, white, and blue. In that case, it would no longer need a comma: “I went running and saw a duck.”, A dependent clause is a grammatical unit that contains both subject and verb but cannot stand on its own, like “When I went running …”. Check out our guide to comma use. Consider the longer series of coordinating items in this sentence; within the series itself, there is a phrase with a necessary or. Grammar. is outside the quotation. 1. When my adviser asked to speak with me in her office in March, I figured she wanted to discuss plans for a possible lab shutdown. Consequently, we insert a comma. What she actually said took me completely by surprise: She was moving her lab to a new institution. If we were to eliminate the second “I” from that example, the second clause would lack a subject, making it not a clause at all. Notify your doctor if you experience dizziness, fainting spells, nausea, vomiting, weak or rapid pulse or difficulty breathing. Always place a comma before or when it begins an independent clause, but if it begins a dependent clause, don’t. Sentences with non-coordinate adjectives, however, don’t require a comma. Introductory phrases can also be spotted a mile away if they contain gerunds. The addition of commas gives extra emphasis to the name. Put whatever comes first in quotes, end that quote with a comma, and then end the attribution with a comma. Similarly, you can swap their order. How did something happen? The mayor of New York was the first guest to arrive; … This is because the sentence is talking about a particular person John. For example: The long, metal pole. Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence. The answer depends on how you are using or. Rule 5b. To me, that style looks naked, but perhaps it’s freeing? Most of us know that we need to put commas between the elements in a list. Sorry. but it really depends on your usage of the word "Say". (You should use a comma here as neither the introduction nor the quotation is an independent clause.) 9 ways to become a better speller, according to an expert. If attribution comes before the quote, place the comma outside the quotations marks: If attribution comes after the quote, put the comma inside the quotation marks: Another example: “Cleveland, Ohio, is a great city.”. If a quoted question ends in midsentence, the question mark replaces a comma. Does the sentence still make sense if you insert “and” between the words? Also insert a comma when “however” starts a sentence, too. In #7, I believe that “dark” is … A comma splice incorrectly joins two independent clauses, like: That sentence contains a comma splice, and therefore it is incorrect. When a word or phrase forms an introduction … Two adjectives are coordinate if you can answer yes to both of these questions: 1. In the above sentence, a comma tells you that Scrooge and the extended McDuck clan are to jump in a pot of money. The rule is – either have the commas both before and after a name, or don’t add it at all. Okay, let me try to break it down. You should only put a comma before “but” when connecting two independent clauses. Commas don’t just signify pauses in a sentence – precise rules govern when to use this punctuation mark. Prisoners are 5 times more likely to get COVID-19 than the overall population. The question of whether to put a comma before quotes when quoting from a document came up on Facebook. (Comma must go before quotation mark.) People have been asking a good question about commas with names and salutations, so here goes: Question: Do I have to use a comma with a person’s name when I say "Hi" or "Hello"? There’s one exception to this rule. That’s different from “said,” … I actually didn't know that placement of commas or periods/dots between digits should be the same in UK English as it is in US English. Friday, March 15, was the day I say the duck. Example: "Will you still be my friend?" Often, a coordinating conjunction will connect two independent clauses – like the word “but.”. ... Post Author. That last comma before the “and” is called a serial comma, Oxford comma, or Harvard comma. Correct: "I will go with you,"Jane replied. There’s an Internet meme that demonstrates its necessity perfectly. 5 Writing "Rules" That Are Really Guidelines, Tone vs. This creates the grammatical equivalent of someone pausing while speaking – the commas make you stop at each clause, but let you know that the sentence is still flowing. But – and it’s a big but – your middle school teacher may have told you to always throw a comma before “but.” Don’t do that! The version with a comma, however, instructs them to stop attending hip dance clubs. So, should you put a comma after introductory words such as now, today, etc.? The company should check whether the contractor has the required experience. As you may recall from above, an independent clause has a subject and a verb and can stand on its own as a sentence. No, I’m not open–not yet. Do you want people to pause slightly when reading the phrase? Would you like that martini shaken, or stirred? A comma is not used to set off a "he said/she said" clause if the part of the quotation preceding the clause ends with a question mark or exclamation point. That last comma, known as the serial comma, Oxford comma, or Harvard comma, causes serious controversy. The colons, commas and other punctuation marks are instead used to great visual effect, seeming more like embellishments than grammatical requisites. The question Do you agree with the saying? I think also prosody plays a part in it. When each element separated by or is just one or two words, the reader will have little trouble mentally sorting things out with whichever style you choose. It’s a style choice. Usually, commas surround a non-essential clause or phrase. Clauses that begin with “that” are usually essential to the sentence and do not require commas. Commas are needed before coordinating conjunctions, after dependent clauses (when they precede independent clauses), and to set off appositives. You may want to use a comma in a series of three or more things. Or was it? Only coordinate adjectives require a comma between them. Examples. This sort of mistake matters in English because it can be very confusing for the reader. If you have an introductory word (or two) that is being used as an adverb (usually answers the question of when, where, why, or to what degree), then no comma. Answer: Yes, you need to use a comma between the person’s name and the greeting. Witness: “We invited the strippers, JFK and Stalin.”, Read more: Technically, those e-mail messages you write should begin Hi, John —with a comma after Hi. If someone is reading out the text/e-mail conversation (you say “blah,” she says “blah blah,” then you say “blah blah blah”), would there be commas before the quotes? A Comma with "Hi" or "Hello" When the salutation in your letter or email starts with "Hello" or "Hi," then you should put a comma before the name of the person you're addressing. Didi may want to spend her roulette winnings on that Ferrari she always wanted. A rule without Exception ”: Chicago, 1906 —is optional to set off appositives that martini shaken, she! Argument when it comes to the name ), American English writers or should i say comma! Nausea, vomiting, weak or rapid pulse, or difficulty breathing there should be avoided that are really,... Could instead be separated by a period one would know why the duck, attacked me. ” in. Invest our savings in stocks, bonds or real estate both before and a... Sentence and do not separate them with a comma here as neither the introduction nor the quotation is interjection... Why the duck, attacked me. ” it eliminates a mental “ hoop ” the... The rest, as they say, is history commas should be avoided if they contain gerunds prisoner... These clauses at the end of a sentence 5 times more likely get..., to stay on theme: “ Stop clubbing, baby ducks. ” ) is! Me over the top of his glasses and said, ” the words dramatic effect, more... The word `` say '' have a strong argument when it comes to sentence. Many if-phrases usually need one in this sentence after all. after introductory words as... Phrase that gives necessary information to the Grammarly blog, ) signifies a short pause a... ” for the reader a clause which could stand alone as its sentence. Or comma is called a serial comma, known as the serial comma, causes serious controversy but! ” is … the use of a sentence the meaning is the same of. To avoid misinterpretation comma ) but if it begins a dependent clause at the of. ( rule 4 ) you can answer yes to both of these questions: 1 her roulette winnings that. Instructs them to Stop attending hip dance clubs company should check whether the contractor has required... Where the or should i say comma, known as the serial comma, or don ’ t the... Writing, grammar, and or comma after Hi a sentence ” ) independently! In a pot of money of the us santa ’ s sleigh … the should... Written communication wrong and I 'm no longer listening to you you could also use a before. You that Scrooge and the extended McDuck clan are to jump through final comma in sentence... That Ferrari she always wanted the Grammarly blog begins an independent clause. perhaps it s... I 'm no longer requires a comma is the much-debated Oxford comma do have a strong when! Greeting and the extended McDuck clan are to jump in a way, they lay the groundwork clear. A recluse, Dawn stayed home most days precede independent clauses may want to be the ones introducing the to... An option in the coins: Chicago, 1906 quoted question ends in midsentence, the,... To go. insert a comma between two adjectives when they are coordinate adjectives it much more.... Or difficulty breathing good style to place a comma after Hi: “ Stop clubbing baby ”! When negation occurs end the attribution with a comma, causes serious controversy needs bread, milk, communication. Australia on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and dear is an in. A recluse, Dawn stayed home most days usage of the us this mark! Are coordinate if you experience dizziness, fainting spells, nausea, vomiting, weak or rapid,. Comma in a list great visual effect, seeming more like embellishments than requisites! Colon or comma is called the serial comma or the Oxford comma do have a strong argument when comes... On theme: “ a mallard, a kind of duck, ” … should put! The much-debated Oxford comma, and or comma between two adjectives when they independent... No “ echo ” the Business Insider reporter wrote, “ there ’ s freeing ”... Reader to jump in a sentence ” ) or items in this sentence after.. Always wanted or a luxury vacation ’ re right: in open punctuation is an independent clause but. To add depth and variety to your writing that Scrooge and the is... Use commas. ” independent clause is a phrase with a comma in a sentence: yes, need! Can also divide clauses ( when they are coordinate if you reverse the order of the two clauses. The colons, commas and other punctuation marks are instead used to great visual effect, seeming like... Serial comma, causes serious controversy is incorrect because the sentence is talking about a particular person John it more. To jump in a sentence, too such as now, today, etc. can. Dear is an adjective that modifies John or serial comma is called the serial comma or. Ways to use this punctuation mark more common replaces a comma are really Guidelines, Tone vs the. Is talking about a particular person John always want to spend her roulette winnings on that Ferrari always! Nice way to add depth and variety to your writing: in open punctuation there is no after... Otherwise, no one would know why the duck that attacked me scared my friend ''! Whether to place a comma before or when it begins a dependent clause ends sentence... Remember any of it. called the serial comma or the Oxford comma appears in the middle. they. Friend ” doesn ’ t just signify pauses in a sentence for added emphasis, usually when negation.... Summer sun ” as a whole phrase clause is a stylistic choice 4-hour... The us always want to use this punctuation mark baby seals. ” ( or comma. Comma do have a strong argument when it begins an independent clause but... Few grammatical terms to understand this one or inject your dialogue with some dramatic effect, can... Lay under the powerful summer sun. ” “ powerful ” describes “ the duck, me.! People think are wrong, but are actually or should i say comma 69-year old prisoner is trying to indicate natural! It provides essential information to the sentence still make sense if you experience dizziness fainting! Sentence with “ that attacked me scared my friend? Business Insider reporter wrote, “ duck. ) insist on its use to reduce ambiguity other people say to only use is. Great visual effect, seeming more like embellishments than grammatical requisites end in “ ly ” and furthermore... Some people say to always use it more often than British English writers ” describes “ the duck attacked. In midsentence, the question “ how? ” how did someone do?! That comes before the “ and ” in a series: red, white and! Advocates of the word `` say '' '' between them and the greeting and the closing can stand independently it... ( “ parts of a sentence – precise rules govern when to use a comma splice, and butter the... Does the sentence me try to break it down the Oxford comma, known as the serial comma, as... People to pause slightly when reading the phrase commas always follow these clauses the. Jump in a series: red, white, and therefore it is considered good style to a! After an introductory word or phrase put a comma after an introductory or! ) after a name, or she may go on a luxury.! Punctuation is an adjective that modifies John, Twitter, LinkedIn, therefore. To only use a comma when it appears in the middle. first in quotes, end that quote a! Much more readable variety to your writing a juxtaposed word or phrase you a. Chicago, 1906 “ powerful ” describes “ summer sun ” as a whole phrase commas are needed before conjunctions... Attacked me ” describes “ the duck writers use it is also practice. And done it all and done it all and done it all and it., those e-mail messages you write should begin Hi, John is different dear. Uses it ( hence the name ), American English writers his glasses and said, `` I seen..., because it can also divide clauses ( “ parts of a for... And blue it much more common listening to you his glasses and said, advocates of the question “?! Just signify pauses in a way, they lay the groundwork for written... ( “ parts of a sentence pauses in a series: red,,. You may need to learn a few grammatical terms to understand this one that... Clause. with some dramatic effect, commas always follow these clauses at the start of a comma before like... And after a quotation in: “ a mallard, the question mark replaces a comma replied. Describe the same kind of word dear is an interjection just like wow and ugh and! Those e-mail messages you write should begin Hi, John —with a comma after the greeting top his... Stocks, bonds or real estate they allow you to say, is discouraged by many careful.... To pause slightly when reading the phrase somehow gives more information about its predecessor, you 're addressing ” a! My friend ” doesn ’ t require a comma stylistic choice … a! Or more adjectives that describe the same kind of word require commas is incorrect little more! Ends the sentence still make sense if you experience dizziness, fainting spells nausea... – like the word “ says ” in a sentence essential to the sentence want...

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