Well is an introductory word that a comma should separate from the rest of the sentence. A nonrestrictive appositive phrase isn’t necessary but simply adds information to the sentence. An appositive phrase is a phrase that renames the subject of the sentence. 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. 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. Shouldn’t it be: If Santa Clause (ha, ha) WERE real? Dates sometimes crop up in the middle of sentences. Use a Comma After an Introductory Word or Phrase. But, under normal circumstances, “would rather” doesn’t take any commas before or after it. I had the money, I would go to Krakow for vacation. There is no comma before where in order to introduce continuity, describing the living conditions in the aforementioned countries. If you omit the comma after 'that' in those sentences, … Our blog is about content marketing and copywriting. But if the phrase is longer than four words, use a comma. ”Rather” in constructions ”Or rather” The phrase “or rather” is preceded by a comma, and it along with the phrase or clause adjoined to it may be followed by a comma or a period, depending on where it is in the sentence. Normally, the last item in the series is preceded by … In these instances, don’t use a comma to separate the phrase from the subject that it renames. December 12, 2007 by constant-content in Freelance Writing Tips. In the examples below, the introductory phrase contains two prepositional phrases: “during the production” and “of the film.”. If I use correct punctuation, then I will include commas where necessary. Use a comma to indicate a short pause in a sentence. After riding his bike around the neighborhood twice, Rob was sweating profusely. When should you use a comma? If you have the month-date-year format, a comma is always required after the year. Many people think of commas as grammar's way of introducing a pause into a sentence. 1. Use a comma after the conjunction when it is followed by an interruption. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined together using only a comma. Before the movie starts let’s get some popcorn. Considering this, is there a comma after that? The rules regarding commas after introductory phrases are complex, but with practice, applying them will become instinctual. Sometimes, a restrictive appositive phrase acts as an introductory phrase. And it’s no wonder. The correct commas after date rule is based on what type of date is used in the sentence. Click to see full answer. If the speaker had said "My thought is that if… there would be no need for a comma before if , … While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door. It sets the stage for the main part of the sentence. -- there is no comma immediately after "But." 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.” There are several uses of the comma that can best be described as conventional or mechanical. Even when the statement drops the word then, a comma must be used. © 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 2020—Why Volume of Content Matters. Using a Comma after an Interjection Commas can be used to offset interjections (e.g., "yes," "indeed," "absolutely"). There are several types of introductory phrases, including prepositional phrases and appositive phrases. The sentence below, however, contains a restrictive appositive: In this case, the appositive is restrictive because it is necessary for the reader to know which opera singer had myopia. 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. I don’t think there needs to be a hard and fast rule. Wrong: She hated going to the … The only exception is “yet again,” specifically when we decide to bring it at the beginning of a sentence. Comma rules can be confusing. Examples: There are lots of rules about comma usage, and often the factors that determine whether you should use one are quite subtle. During the production of the film the director nearly quit. Commas with Conditional Sentences - Writing English. Consider the below examples of sentences containing properly placed and omitted commas: When your introductory phrase actually contains two prepositional phrases, it’s best to use a comma. That makes WAS correct! Commas That Are, Indeed, Useful. She hated going to the dentist, and, she cried the whole way there. If you just have a month and a year or a month and a day, using commas after dates depends on context: GrammarBook.com says: November 3, 2015, at 7:28 pm Our Rule 5 of Commas says, “Use commas to set off the name, nickname, term of endearment, or title of a person directly addressed.” Since John is directly addressed in your sentence, use a comma after the name. Example: I will visit the Tower if I go to London. Even when the statement drops the word then, a comma must be used. Get a clear picture of when to use commas by exploring their usage through examples. The use or omission of the comma is well established, and writers need only to apply the rules. Try switching out the word so with either therefore or so that. Some people prefer the serial or Harvard comma; some abhor it. Other times, the comma is optional, and there are also times when a comma should not be used. An introductory phrase is like a clause, but it doesn’t have its own subject and verb; it relies on the subject and verb in the main clause. You have the option of putting a comma after an introductory element. Would the comma be after Josh or not there at all? (Although I'm not aware of any.) Interjections are included in a sentence (usually at the start) to express a sentiment such as surprise, disgust, joy, excitement, or enthusiasm. Answer: Sentence C is correct. If Santa Clause was real, he would bring me a new bike. While we don't normally use a comma before a clause beginning with "because," we should in this case since the comma … 3. Here’s a tip: Commas can be tricky, but they don’t have to trip you up. Ah, the comma. Santa Clause was real, he would bring me a new bike. He can only BRING me a new bike while he IS. If I use correct punctuation, then I will include commas where necessary. Other times, the comma is optional, and there are also times when a comma should not be used. This means use a comma after a participial phrase, an absolute phrase, an infinitive phrase, and a prepositional phrase. Don ’ t use a comma if the if clause is at the end of the sentence.. In sentence A, there is no comma after well. As you may have noticed, the answer is predominantly no. Reply. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. Before the movie starts, let’s get some popcorn. 😀, But then he “would have brought me a new bike”. However, if it is at the beginning of a dependent clause, you can skip the comma. There is some leeway with prepositional phrases. (It was a … Posts include a range of topics, from content tips and practical writing advice to the latest SEO and content distribution techniques. Suggest to take a look at the various (correct) ways of using a comma, as described in the Oxford Dictionaries. “ If, then” statements require commas to separate the two clauses that result. The award-winning teacher Mrs. Becky Armstrong was honored at graduation for her impact on students’ lives. If you would like the reader to briefly pause … When a word or phrase forms an introduction … Don’t use a comma before the conjunction when the second clause can’t stand alone. For two adjectives, use a comma where you could use "and". 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. Is it grammatically correct to put a comma before "and"? a. If you omit the first word, the sentence means exactly the same thing. But Santa Clause is real! Does “yet” the adverb need a comma. You are not putting a comma after is per se; you are bracketing the if-clause with commas. How to Wish Someone Well in 2020, How to Write Right After You’ve Swiped Right, Why Grammar Matters in Your Content Marketing. Numbers. I personally think this is … Introductory clause: After the meeting was over, the staff was exhausted. You don’t have to include the comma with short prepositional phrases (three words or fewer). Appositives act as synonyms for a … There are strict rules that govern when you can (and can't) use commas. When the adverb is essential to the meaning of the clause, or if no pause is intended or desired, commas are not needed. If you’re going to the store, pick me up a gallon of milk. “Yet” as an adverb fits seamlessly into a sentence, and there is no reason to separate from the rest of the sentence using a comma. When an introductory prepositional phrase is very short (less than four words), the comma is usually optional. It was a short, simple film. If Hillary Clinton wins the election in 2008, then she will become the first female president. The only reason that there is a comma after the word “but” is because of the interrupter that comes after it. Example: If I go to London, I will visit the Tower. “If, then” statements require commas to separate the two clauses that result. Use a comma before the conjunction when the sentence halves can stand alone. When the introductory phrase is a restrictive appositive phrase, don’t use a comma to separate it from the main clause. Still unsure if you should use a comma? 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. The award-winning teacher, Mrs. Becky Armstrong, was honored at graduation for her impact on students’ lives. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while. Commas—sometimes paired with semicolons—are traditionally used to set off adverbs such as however, therefore, and indeed. 2. It is important to note that a comma should always be used if the sentence could be misinterpreted otherwise. Adding the comma did not change the meaning of any words in the sentence except for one: as. The example appositive phrase above is nonrestrictive because the sentence still makes sense without the phrase; it just doesn’t include as much information. That comma after three is no more necessary than it is in the sentence about the Dachshunds. A restrictive appositive phrase is one that is necessary to the meaning of the sentence. It is important to note that a comma should always be used if the sentence could be misinterpreted otherwise. (Why so “tense”, Santa? You have been successfully subscribed to the Grammarly blog. Use commas in a series of three or more items. 😉. Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence. 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. Sometimes a comma is necessary after an introductory phrase. During the production of the film, the director nearly quit. There may be style guides that say you shouldn't add a comma after British Columbia. Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class. Of all the punctuation marks in English, this one is perhaps the most abused and misused. There would be a pause after "right," and that's where you put the comma. This comma is more important than the comma after "hopefully." If I had the money, I would go to Krakow for vacation. Hillary Clinton wins the election in 2008. she will become the first female president. If Hillary Clinton wins the election in 2008, then she will become the first female president. Sometimes a comma is necessary after an introductory phrase. 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