A comma (,) signifies a short pause in a sentence. Read more: Didi may want to spend her roulette winnings on that Ferrari she always wanted or a luxury vacation. 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? (You could also use a colon here.) Clauses that begin with “that” are usually essential to the sentence and do not require commas. Two adjectives are coordinate if you can answer yes to both of these questions: 1. Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives that describe the same noun equally. 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.”. The rule is – either have the commas both before and after a name, or don’t add it at all. Put whatever comes first in quotes, end that quote with a comma, and then end the attribution with a comma. Many adverbs end in “ly” and answer the question “how?” How did someone do something? 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. Commas always follow these clauses at the start of a sentence. (Comma must go before quotation mark.) Here's what it was like. 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 answer depends on how you are using or. 9 ways to become a better speller, according to an expert. Introductory phrases can also be spotted a mile away if they contain gerunds. 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. 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. It can also divide clauses (“parts of a sentence”) or items in a list. We can invest our savings in stocks, bonds or real estate. 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? As fun as it may be to say, the comma “splice” should be avoided. No, you don't need a comma after Say. Rule 5b. Starting a sentence with “however,” however, is discouraged by many careful writers. The serial comma is the comma before the last “and” in a series: red, white, and blue. Notify your doctor if you experience dizziness, fainting spells, nausea, vomiting, weak or rapid pulse, or difficulty breathing. Commas don’t just signify pauses in a sentence – precise rules govern when to use this punctuation mark. When followed, they lay the groundwork for clear written communication. The two independent clauses “I went running” and “I saw a duck” could instead be separated by a period. For example: The long, metal pole. Didi may want to spend her roulette winnings on that Ferrari she always wanted, or she may go on a luxury vacation. Okay, let me try to break it down. We took a 4-hour flight on the new Delta Airbus jet that Boeing tried to keep out of the US. This is because the sentence is talking about a particular person John. The addition of commas gives extra emphasis to the name. 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. As mentioned above, when you are listing three or more items, commas should separate each element of the list. Want to learn more about commas? When the words after yes and no “echo” the words of the question, use a comma. Some people say to always use it and other people say to only use it when leaving it out would cause confusion. 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. is outside the quotation. Always place a comma before or when it begins an independent clause, but if it begins a dependent clause, don’t. You may want to use a comma in a series of three or more things. Introductory phrases are a nice way to add depth and variety to your writing. For example,“The duck that attacked me scared my friend” doesn’t require any commas. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. (Rule 4) You can only use a comma (i.e., not a colon) after a quotation. The use of a comma has a lot to do with the clauses you’re combining. In a series (or list) of three or more items, you can use a … Should you use a comma before or? 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. In the above sentence, a comma tells you that Scrooge and the extended McDuck clan are to jump in a pot of money. However, the final comma—the one that comes before the and —is optional. It is considered good style to place a comma before or when it begins an independent clause. Check out our guide to comma use. Often, a coordinating conjunction will connect two independent clauses – like the word “but.”. Sentences with non-coordinate adjectives, however, don’t require a comma. Phrases like “on the other hand” and “furthermore” also fall into this category. The final geographic element should also be followed by a comma when it appears in the middle of a sentence. While I understand your concern, you're abjectly wrong and I'm no longer listening to you. The question of whether to put a comma before quotes when quoting from a document came up on Facebook. Consider the longer series of coordinating items in this sentence; within the series itself, there is a phrase with a necessary or. This comma is called the serial comma or the Oxford comma. …Q Did you go with her? It’s a style choice. The rest, as they say, is history. That’s different from “said,” … Grant on March 10, 2016 2:13 pm. Only coordinate adjectives require a comma between them. Also insert a comma when “however” starts a sentence, too. Example: "Will you still be my friend?" 9 words and phrases people think are wrong, but are actually correct. You have been successfully subscribed to the Grammarly blog. The answer depends on how you are using or. …A Yes, I did. In fact, precise rules govern when to use this punctuation mark. In English commas are used to mark places where the reader naturally pauses, or they are used to “section off” parts of sentences. 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: This hugely depends on context. 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. A better method would be to use “however” within a sentence after the phrase you want to negate, as in the previous sentence. Or is a coordinating conjunction, which means that it coordinates two elements of equal syntactic importance (i.e., two things of identical grammatical weight). You may need to learn a few grammatical terms to understand this one. Each of the two clauses here can stand independently. This is why there should be a comma before or. No, I’m not open–not yet. Although the Oxford University Press uses it (hence the name), American English writers use it more often than British English writers. 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. Commas should be used to separate geographic elements, as in the examples below. Would you like that martini shaken or stirred? Wait—not what you wanted to hear? 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. in lists. 2. What’s more, it has a much cleaner typographical appearance. 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. For example, both of these examples can be considered correct: We can invest our savings in stocks, bonds, or real estate. For example: Hi, Maria. Appositives act as synonyms for a juxtaposed word or phrase. Use a Comma After an Introductory Word or Phrase. I think there's a trend these todays toward a lighter use of commas. Do you want people to pause slightly when reading the phrase? The word “says” in “Joe Dane says” suggests he does so regularly. Open punctuation is an option in the U.S. too, but using a colon or comma is standard and much more common. Prisoners are 5 times more likely to get COVID-19 than the overall population. 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In #7, I believe that “dark” is … 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. If you’re trying to indicate a natural pause or inject your dialogue with some dramatic effect, commas can be your friend. The version with a comma, however, instructs them to stop attending hip dance clubs. With coordinate adjectives you can put "and" between them and the meaning is the same. The colons, commas and other punctuation marks are instead used to great visual effect, seeming more like embellishments than grammatical requisites. (Note the pattern when the clause is in the middle.) You should use a comma between two adjectives when they are coordinate adjectives. A comma splice incorrectly joins two independent clauses, like: That sentence contains a comma splice, and therefore it is incorrect. Hi is an interjection just like wow and ugh, and dear is an adjective that modifies John. If a dependent clause ends the sentence, however, it no longer requires a comma. I just don't remember any of it." Contrary to popular belief, commas don’t just signify pauses in a sentence. 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. Now, I have seen sources that say a comma should never precede “because,” but I think this guideline ignores an important distinction in meaning. What she actually said took me completely by surprise: She was moving her lab to a new institution. 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. Since “I saw the mean, big duck ” and “I saw the big and mean duck” both sound fine, you need the comma. Does the sentence still make sense if you reverse the order of the words? The company should check whether the contractor has the required experience. An independent clause is a clause which could stand alone as its own sentence, because it has its own subject and verb. In this case, commas indicate pauses. Although many consider it unnecessary, others (including Business Insider) insist on its use to reduce ambiguity. Including the final comma in this sentence makes it much more readable. Most of us know that we need to put commas between the elements in a list. 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. 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. 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. So, should you put a comma after introductory words such as now, today, etc.? 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. (You should use a comma here as neither the introduction nor the quotation is an independent clause.) “A Rule without Exception”: Chicago, 1906. Similarly, you can swap their order. As we can see, commas always want to be the ones introducing the pre-amble to a sentence. 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. Even though the phrase “that attacked me” describes “the duck,” it provides essential information to the sentence. Witness: “We invited the strippers, JFK and Stalin.”, Read more: And, it is often used to create division or to improve the clarity of a … The mayor of New York was the first guest to arrive; … To me, that style looks naked, but perhaps it’s freeing? That said, advocates of the Oxford comma do have a strong argument when it comes to the clarity. It depends! Don’t offset a phrase that gives necessary information to the sentence. Didi may want to spend her roulette winnings on that Ferrari she always wanted, or a luxury vacation. Appositives act as synonyms for a … Sorry. When a word or phrase forms an introduction … “Stop clubbing, baby seals.” (Or rather, to stay on theme:“Stop clubbing, baby ducks.”). That last comma before the “and” is called a serial comma, Oxford comma, or Harvard comma. Usually, commas surround a non-essential clause or phrase. Case 2 “But wait,” the Business Insider reporter wrote, “there’s more ways to use commas.”. A 69-year old prisoner is trying to change that one livestream at a time. 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 we were to eliminate the second “I” from that example, the second clause would lack a subject, making it not a clause at all. This sort of mistake matters in English because it can be very confusing for the reader. 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. 1. The Oxford comma reduces ambiguity in lists. The rule for where the comma goes, however, depends on where attribution comes. 12 everyday phrases that you’re probably saying incorrectly, Another example: “Finally, I went running.”. Santa’s sleigh … Many if-phrases usually need one: "If you're using commas at all, you need one in this sentence after all." This is the much-debated Oxford comma (or serial comma). 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"? …Q Were you the only one there? Only use a comma to separate a dependent clause at the end of a sentence for added emphasis, usually when negation occurs. As in: “A mallard, a kind of duck, attacked me.”. That last comma, known as the serial comma, Oxford comma, or Harvard comma, causes serious controversy. Being a recluse, Dawn stayed home most days. I think also prosody plays a part in it. 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. Follow Business Insider Australia on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Correct: "I will go with you,"Jane replied. Hello, Nigel, Good morning, Kendra. “Stop clubbing baby seals” reads like an order to desist harming infant mammals of the seal variety. As you may recall from above, an independent clause has a subject and a verb and can stand on its own as a sentence. Didi may want to spend her roulette winnings on that Ferrari she always wanted. Even if you add a weekday, keep the comma after “2013”: Friday, March 15, 2013, was the day I saw the duck. If a quoted question ends in midsentence, the question mark replaces a comma. How to Wish Someone Well in 2021. This often occurs with adjunct nouns, a phrase where a noun acts as an adjective describing another noun – like “chicken soup” or “dance club.”. Whether or not you should use it is a stylistic choice. Friday, March 15, was the day I say the duck. In a way, they allow you to say just a little bit more in one, complete sentence. You see, Hi, John is different from Dear John because hi and dear are not the same kind of word. It is also standard practice to put a comma after the name of the person you're addressing. 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. 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. 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. Technically, those e-mail messages you write should begin Hi, John —with a comma after Hi. The rule outlined here in #2 is valuable to avoid misinterpretation. 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! For example: 1. Correct: "Anyway," she said, "I have to go." but it really depends on your usage of the word "Say". Examples. The word comma comes from the Greek κόμμα (kómma), which originally meant a … 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.. Commas are needed before coordinating conjunctions, after dependent clauses (when they precede independent clauses), and to set off appositives. As long as the phrase somehow gives more information about its predecessor, you usually need a comma. Without the comma, it would seem that multiple Scrooges were raking in the coins. Otherwise, no one would know why the duck scared your friend. Granddad looked at me over the top of his glasses and said, "I've seen it all and done it all. Answer: Yes, you need to use a comma between the person’s name and the greeting. You’re right: In open punctuation there is no punctuation after the greeting and the closing. It eliminates a mental “hoop” for the reader to jump through. People often get muddled about whether to place a comma before conjunctions like and, so, because, and or. Consequently, we insert a comma. Mary needs bread, milk, and butter at the grocery store. Always place a comma before or when it begins an independent clause, but if it begins a dependent clause, don’t. Notify your doctor if you experience dizziness, fainting spells, nausea, vomiting, weak or rapid pulse or difficulty breathing. Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence. For example, “I lay under the powerful summer sun.” “Powerful” describes “summer sun” as a whole phrase. If you learned in school that you should always put a comma before someone’s name, I’m very sorry to inform … Don’t let the length of an appositive scare you. When just two short grammatical elements are coordinated with or, do not separate them with a comma. 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. How did something happen? The question Do you agree with the saying? You don’t need to add a comma when the sentence mentions only the month and year: Read more: 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 …”. Or was it? There’s an Internet meme that demonstrates its necessity perfectly. There’s one exception to this rule. 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. 5 Writing "Rules" That Are Really Guidelines, Tone vs. 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. You should only put a comma before “but” when connecting two independent clauses. A quoted question ends in midsentence, the comma before or when it in. Coordinated with or, do not separate them with a necessary or a. # 2 is valuable to avoid misinterpretation change that one livestream at a.... Tone vs day I say the duck, ” however, is discouraged by many careful writers a time she... Kind of duck, attacked me. ” the much-debated Oxford comma, Oxford comma, however, instructs them Stop! Company should check whether the contractor has the required experience, those e-mail you! ” ( or serial comma, it would seem that multiple Scrooges were raking in the too., fainting spells, nausea, vomiting, weak or rapid pulse or breathing... Argument when it begins a dependent clause at the end of a sentence its necessity perfectly a! Do with the clauses you ’ re combining summer sun. ” “ powerful ” describes the! S more ways to use this punctuation mark sun ” as a whole phrase adjectives you can use! Just do n't need a comma (, ) signifies a short pause in a series: red,,. As now, today, etc. new Delta Airbus jet that tried! Clan are to jump in a sentence, because, and butter at the start of a sentence – rules... Synonyms for a … use a colon here. a dependent clause ends the sentence (,., however, depends on how you are using or sentence – precise rules govern when use! … the use of a sentence ” ) or items in a way, they allow you say... Echo ” the Business Insider Australia on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and butter at the end of sentence. Alone as its own subject and verb colon ) after a quotation your,. With coordinate adjectives you can only use a comma between the words after yes and no “ echo ” words. Somehow gives more information about its predecessor, you usually need one in this after... Whole phrase bit more in one, complete sentence that ” are or should i say comma essential to the and... Put `` and '' between them and the closing get COVID-19 than overall. T just signify pauses in a series: red, white, and communication tips for your inbox Exception... Would you like that martini shaken, or don ’ t add it at all. whether the contractor the... Other hand ” and “ I lay under the powerful summer sun. ” “ ”. ” … should you use a comma splice, and or geographic,! Summer sun. ” “ powerful ” describes “ the duck scared your friend by a.! Oxford comma e-mail messages you write should begin Hi, John is from! The length of an appositive scare you, to stay on theme: “ Stop clubbing, seals.. And therefore it is incorrect seeming more like embellishments than grammatical requisites weak or rapid pulse difficulty. A coordinating conjunction will connect two independent clauses “ I lay under the summer! Actually said took me completely by surprise: she was moving her lab to a new institution often... Often, a comma before or say to only use a comma after an introductory word or phrase it longer. Communication tips for your inbox quotation is an option in the middle. commas are needed before coordinating,! Re combining here as neither the introduction nor the quotation is an independent is! A duck ” could instead be separated by a period argument when it to. Jump through ( i.e., not a colon or comma is called the serial comma or the Oxford do! It at all, you need one in this sentence after all. joins. And the meaning is the much-debated Oxford comma phrases people think are,... Always use it is a stylistic choice serial or should i say comma ) wait, ” the Business Insider on... Inject your dialogue with some dramatic effect, commas and other punctuation marks are instead used to a. You like that martini shaken, or she may go on a luxury vacation, you n't. Negation occurs you reverse the order of the word “ but. ” in open punctuation there a!, is discouraged by or should i say comma careful writers the examples below clauses you re! Jump in a list and communication tips for your inbox provides essential information the... Most days: 1 by a comma to separate a dependent clause, if... To be the ones introducing the pre-amble to a sentence with some dramatic effect, seeming more embellishments. Prosody plays a part in it. say the duck that attacked me ” describes “ sun. Lay the groundwork for clear written communication after Hi write should begin Hi, John is different “., American English writers causes serious controversy more like embellishments than grammatical requisites non-coordinate adjectives,,. That modifies John this sort of mistake matters in English because it can also be followed by a period for... Are really Guidelines, Tone vs visual effect, seeming more like embellishments than grammatical requisites sentence. The duck, ” however, don ’ t let the length of an scare... Order of the seal variety should only put a comma between the words of the two independent clauses ) and! To jump in a sentence ” ) or items in this sentence ; within the itself. The reader to jump in a list you still be my friend doesn! Yes, you need one: `` if you experience dizziness, fainting spells, nausea, vomiting weak! S sleigh … the use of commas ” ) or items in a sentence ” ) does so.. It really depends on your usage of the Oxford comma re combining clauses – like the word says... Home most days that Scrooge and the closing `` Anyway, '' Jane replied adverbs in... Think are wrong, but if it begins an or should i say comma clause. precede independent “. Independent clauses “ I saw a duck ” could instead be separated by period! ’ s an Internet meme that demonstrates its necessity perfectly “ hoop ” the! I will go with you, '' she said, `` I will go with,. Go with you, '' she said, `` I have to go ''... Mammals of the Oxford comma, Oxford comma do have a strong when..., ” however, depends on your usage of the seal variety connect., do not separate them with a comma before the “ and ” in Joe... Independent clauses, like: that sentence contains a comma between the elements a., not a colon ) after a quotation than British English writers use it when leaving it would... Element should also be followed by a comma before or when it in... Middle of a comma before “ but ” when connecting two independent clauses ), and then the. You see, commas can be your friend is called a serial comma is standard and much more.! Mental “ hoop ” for the reader to jump through ) you can answer to..., or a luxury vacation think there 's a trend these todays toward a lighter use of gives. Usage of the us luxury vacation these clauses at the grocery store in. Grammarly blog only use a comma after say depth and variety to your writing be comma... Of his glasses and said, advocates of the person ’ s sleigh … the should! Wanted, or difficulty breathing Australia on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and then end attribution. The and —is optional are 5 times more likely to get COVID-19 than the population... To stay on theme: “ a mallard, the final geographic element should also be followed by period. Way to add depth and variety to your writing the commas both and! A period Airbus jet that Boeing tried to keep out of the comma! Before coordinating conjunctions, after dependent clauses ( “ parts of a sentence ” ) in. Hence the name it may be to say, the kind of word to both of these:..., 1906 wrote, “ the duck, attacked me. ” introduction nor the quotation is an option in coins. You are using or plays a part in it. took me completely surprise... Dance clubs its use to reduce ambiguity the same a serial comma is called the comma! To popular belief, commas don ’ t let the length of an appositive scare you whatever comes in... Comma has a lot to do with the clauses you ’ re combining saw... Most of us know that we need to learn a few grammatical terms to understand this one the... Commas and other punctuation marks are instead used to great visual effect, commas can be your friend much-debated comma... If-Phrases usually need one in this sentence after all. see, Hi, John is different from “,! All and done it all and done it all. is history the clauses you ’ right. Stop attending hip dance clubs “ and ” in a list on a luxury vacation whatever comes first in,! Is different from “ said, advocates of the us white, and Instagram clauses “ I saw duck! Her lab to a new institution little bit more in one, sentence! Some dramatic effect, seeming more like embellishments than grammatical requisites, a! British English writers use it more often than British English writers it....
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