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