This is fairly good advice when you're reading someone else's work aloud. However, it is terrible advice when you're thinking about where to put commas in your own work. The ten rules for using commas are listed above and detailed below. The idea that you should put a comma whenever ...
To put it another way, the writer seems to be saying that her parents are Jane Austen and Albert Einstein. A serial comma eliminates the possibility of misreading, so even if you’re not using serial commas in your writing, make an exception for sentences like this: I dedicate this award...
Rule 3b.In sentences where two independent clauses are joined by connectors such asand, or, but,etc., put a comma at the end of the first clause. Incorrect:He walked all the way home and he shut the door. Correct:He walked all the way home, and he shut the door. ...
When reading, the speakers knew where to stop and take a breath. In writing, commas are like shining red lights on the road. They require that you wait a moment before continuing. And don’t add a comma when you feel like it. There are rules that people shall not break. Learn them,...
Commas in Place of Dashes and Colons Sometimes, you can also use a comma where you’d use a dash or a colon. In the example sentence we’ve been using about Squiggly’s hobbies, a comma doesn’t feel like the best choice to me. Here’s a different sentence in which you could use...
When you are quoting direct speech, you need to use a comma. Look at these examples to see where to place the comma depending on your sentence structure: “That was fantastic,” said Joe. Joe said, “That was fantastic!” How to tell the time in English ...
Interrupters On Your Own Add commas where needed in the following sentences. 1.My dad’s classic car a 1955 Mustang won first place in the car show. 2.That sculpture in my opinion is the most beautiful one in the exhibit. 3.Are you competing in the track meet Joyce? [End of Section...
In this sentence,butis linking two independent clauses. Both “I like candy” and “I am allergic to chocolate” are independent sentences that can stand alone. This means thatbutmust have a comma in front of it. Correct:I ate every donutbutone. ...
Conjunctions in compound sentences: The bedroom door was closed, so the children knew their mother was asleep. Interrupting words: I knew where it was hidden, of course, but I wanted them to find it themselves. Dates, addresses, greetings, and letters: The letter was postmarked December 8,...
The other main case where you need commas to separate clauses is when you use a coordinating conjunction to connect independent clauses.If you have two independent clauses and want to combine them into one sentence, you can use a comma and a coordinating conjunction, or FANBOYS (for, and,...