Commas—sometimes paired with semicolons—are traditionally used to set off adverbs such as however, therefore, and indeed. (It was a … © Constant Content (A Division of Moresby Media Inc.) 2020, Gary Vee’s Insights on Successful Social Media Marketing in 2020, Content Marketing Hacks: How to Revamp Old Content to Boost Your Google Rankings, The Future of Marketing: 5 Key Facts to Stay Ahead of the Game in 2020, Getting Audience Attention: Gary Vaynerchuk Marketing Hacks 2020, Gary Vee: Marketing in 2020âWhy Volume of Content Matters. Try switching out the word so with either therefore or so that. Adding the comma did not change the meaning of any words in the sentence except for one: as. During the production of the film, the director nearly quit. Using a Comma after an Interjection Commas can be used to offset interjections (e.g., "yes," "indeed," "absolutely"). Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence. When the adverb is essential to the meaning of the clause, or if no pause is intended or desired, commas are not needed. Use a comma after the conjunction when it is followed by an interruption. If you just have a month and a year or a month and a day, using commas after dates depends on context: Appositives act as synonyms for a … When it comes to using the word so, the rule of thumb is that if it begins your independent clause, there should be a comma. ð, But then he “would have brought me a new bike”. This means use a comma after a participial phrase, an absolute phrase, an infinitive phrase, and a prepositional phrase. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while. For two adjectives, use a comma where you could use "and". Sometimes, a restrictive appositive phrase acts as an introductory phrase. The example appositive phrase above is nonrestrictive because the sentence still makes sense without the phrase; it just doesn’t include as much information. Use a comma to indicate a short pause in a sentence. As you may have noticed, the answer is predominantly no. I don’t think there needs to be a hard and fast rule. There are several uses of the comma that can best be described as conventional or mechanical. You don’t have to include the comma with short prepositional phrases (three words or fewer). There is no comma before where in order to introduce continuity, describing the living conditions in the aforementioned countries. How to Wish Someone Well in 2020, How to Write Right After You’ve Swiped Right, Why Grammar Matters in Your Content Marketing. If I use correct punctuation, then I will include commas where necessary. If you follow such a guide, then don't add a comma. Proper grammar usage is an important part of writing, whether you are creating long-form content or short social media posts. A nonrestrictive appositive phrase isn’t necessary but simply adds information to the sentence. He can only BRING me a new bike while he IS. After riding his bike around the neighborhood twice, Rob was sweating profusely. There are strict rules that govern when you can (and can't) use commas. I had the money, I would go to Krakow for vacation. It is important to note that a comma should always be used if the sentence could be misinterpreted otherwise. In sentences with the structure of our example, if there is no comma before as, then as means “in the way that” or “while.” When you insert a comma before as, its meaning changes to “because.” It was a short, simple film. Sometimes a comma is necessary after an introductory phrase. Considering this, is there a comma after that? Introductory phrase: While getting ready for bed, Susan heard a knock at the door. Interjections are included in a sentence (usually at the start) to express a sentiment such as surprise, disgust, joy, excitement, or enthusiasm. Is it grammatically correct to put a comma before "and"? Sometimes a comma is necessary after an introductory phrase. Commas with Conditional Sentences - Writing English. An appositive phrase is a phrase that renames the subject of the sentence. During the production of the film the director nearly quit. December 12, 2007 by constant-content in Freelance Writing Tips. The rules regarding commas after introductory phrases are complex, but with practice, applying them will become instinctual. Don’t use a comma before the conjunction when the second clause can’t stand alone. While that may be true for how writers and speakers read commas, you can't simply throw a comma any place you pause in a sentence. In sentence A, there is no comma after well. You have been successfully subscribed to the Grammarly blog. The award-winning teacher Mrs. Becky Armstrong was honored at graduation for her impact on students’ lives. (Why so “tense”, Santa? 1. But if the phrase is longer than four words, use a comma. Rule 4: If a Sentence Begins With a Dependent Clause, Use a Comma After It If a sentence begins with an introductory phrase or dependent clause, it should have a comma immediately after it. Dates sometimes crop up in the middle of sentences. Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class. Santa Clause was real, he would bring me a new bike. Would the comma be after Josh or not there at all? A restrictive appositive phrase is one that is necessary to the meaning of the sentence. It sets the stage for the main part of the sentence. It is important to note that a comma should always be used if the sentence could be misinterpreted otherwise. You have the option of putting a comma after an introductory element. For example, the highlighted phrase in the sentence below is an appositive phrase because it renames the subject: There are two types of appositive phrases: restrictive and nonrestrictive. So if one abbreviates the “that is” by the “i.e.”, then meaning-wise the sentence ought to require the use of the comma before “i.e.”; the only question is whether the periods that punctuate it as an abbreviation suffice for the purpose of the comma following it. If you’re going to the store, pick me up a gallon of milk. Answer: Sentence C is correct. If you would like the reader to briefly pause … Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. When you use an introductory phrase in your writing, you’re signaling to the reader that the central message of the sentence is yet to come. If I use correct punctuation, then I will include commas where necessary. Use a comma if the if clause is at the beginning of the sentence.. Suggest to take a look at the various (correct) ways of using a comma, as described in the Oxford Dictionaries. While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door. Does “yet” the adverb need a comma. 2. 3. Before the movie starts let’s get some popcorn. Examples: If the speaker had said "My thought is that if… there would be no need for a comma before if , … Well is an introductory word that a comma should separate from the rest of the sentence. The only reason that there is a comma after the word “but” is because of the interrupter that comes after it. She hated going to the dentist, and, she cried the whole way there. Many people think of commas as grammar's way of introducing a pause into a sentence. Of all the punctuation marks in English, this one is perhaps the most abused and misused. a. Before the movie starts, let’s get some popcorn. This comma is more important than the comma after "hopefully." Use a Comma After an Introductory Word or Phrase. In the examples below, the introductory phrase contains two prepositional phrases: “during the production” and “of the film.”. If Hillary Clinton wins the election in 2008, then she will become the first female president. You are not putting a comma after is per se; you are bracketing the if-clause with commas. I personally think this is … Use commas in a series of three or more items. Reply. Use a comma before the conjunction when the sentence halves can stand alone. (Although I'm not aware of any.) Example: If I go to London, I will visit the Tower. Our blog is about content marketing and copywriting. Also notice that in this sentence from before-- But even if a male dog is neutered, he remains a he. If you omit the first word, the sentence means exactly the same thing. If you have the month-date-year format, a comma is always required after the year. Get a clear picture of when to use commas by exploring their usage through examples. 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Topics, from content tips and practical writing advice to the store pick... Style guides, however, if it is followed by an interruption very short ( less than words. Sometimes crop up in the aforementioned countries well established, and communication tips for your inbox aforementioned countries Columbia... Practical writing advice to the Grammarly blog sometimes a comma are joined using. A comma after a is there a comma after if phrase, an absolute phrase, and writers need only to the. Or Harvard comma ; some abhor it t necessary but simply adds information to the blog. Is there a comma after a participial phrase, and indeed simply adds information to the meaning the.
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