Can I put a comma before a verb?
With few exceptions, a comma should not separate a subject from its verb. Writers are often tempted to insert a comma between a subject and verb this way because speakers sometimes pause at that point in a sentence. But in writing, the comma only makes the sentence seem stilted.
Do you need a comma before phrase?
b. Common introductory phrases that should be followed by a comma include participial and infinitive phrases, absolute phrases, nonessential appositive phrases, and long prepositional phrases (over four words).
Where do you put commas when answering?
Comma checker – a guide on using commas
- To separate independent clauses in a compound sentence.
- To separate a conjunctive adverbs (nevertheless, however, therefore, furthermore, etc.)
- To separate a long introductory phrase or clauses from the main clause of a sentence.
Should there be a comma before and in a list?
You usually put a comma before and when it’s connecting two independent clauses. It’s almost always optional to put a comma before and in a list.
Is there a comma before which examples?
Here are a few more examples of sentences that require a comma before which: My mother’s house, which is in a nice neighborhood, needs a new coat of paint. Tom’s second book, which he spent ten years writing, is now a best seller. Rob tripped over his shoes, which he had left lying in the middle of the floor.
Is it correct to put a comma before an adverb?
Some adverbs can be used as regular adverbs, to modify another word, and also as sentence adverbs. When an adverb is used midsentence, use a comma only for sentence adverbs modifying the entire clause. When the adverb is modifying a word, it doesn’t need a comma.
When to use comma before and after?
The only time you need a comma after but is when it is immediately followed by an interrupter. An interrupter is a little word or phrase that interrupts a sentence to show emotion, tone, or emphasis. You should always use a comma before and after an interrupter.
When to put a comma before participial phrase?
If the participle phrase comes before the main clause,a comma must come after the participle phrase.
When to use commas?
– Commas to introduce a sentence. If you introduce a sentence with a transition word (e.g. however, hence , indeed, furthermore ), follow it with a comma. – Dependent vs independent clauses. A clause is a group of words that contains at least a subject and a verb. Sentences are often made up of several clauses. – Commas in compound sentences. A compound sentence contains more than one independent clause. – Avoid the comma splice. Two independent clauses should never be joined by a comma alone. This error is called a comma splice. – Restrictive vs nonrestrictive clauses. Sometimes the extra information added by a dependent clause is essential to the meaning of the main clause. – Avoid splitting subjects from verbs. To avoid comma mistakes, pay attention to the function of different words in your sentences and their relation to each other. – Avoid splitting compound subjects or objects. When two subjects or objects are connected to one verb, make sure not to separate them with a comma. – Avoid splitting compound predicates. The predicate is the part of a sentence that contains the verb. – Serial commas. In lists, commas are used to separate each item, and the last item is separated by a conjunction ( and , or ).