Use an ellipsis when omitting a word, phrase, line, paragraph, or more from a quoted passage. Lets have a look at how commas are used before so in the. Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing book. Commas can be tricky, but they dont have to trip you up. Fowlers a dictionary of modern english usage or karen elizabeth gordons the transitive vampire or both, really. However, print publications will use the final comma before and if it is needed to avoid confusion. The internets grammar girl on the last decades most dramatic change in language. Expressions such as coupled with, as well as, along with, together with, not to mention, and others do not act as coordinating conjunctions. Commas can also be used to separate three or more items in a list.
I would use a semicolon before therefore, and no comma after. It can be used at the beginning and middle of sentences and lends a bit more weight or substance. Like the rule for joining sentences, the comma goes right before the conjunction. Parentheses are used to give additional information to the readerinformation that would disrupt the flow of the sentence if written as a nonrestrictive clause. There is no natural pause before the subordinate clauses shown above, and there is no reason to section off the subordinate clauses from the rest of the sentences. I have a question regarding the commas and periods quiz 1, on page 147 of the blue book of grammar and punctuation.
Lets start with the fact that unless a name or title is the last words in a sentence, it can. This book rates as two stars or four, depending on who you are. Previously published as part of grammar girl s quick and dirty tips for better writing online sensation grammar girl makes punctuation fun and easy in grammar girl s punctuation 911 mignon fogarty, a. When im proofreading, im looking for commas and skipped words and extra words and sentences without subjects and faulty parallels and a million little things like that. Written with the wit, warmth, and accessibility that the podcasts are known for, grammar girl s quick and dirty tips for better writing covers the grammar rules and wordchoice guidelines that can confound even the best writers. Ellipses save space or remove material that is less relevant. Commas punctuation rules the blue book of grammar and. I think for most people, reading a grammar book is right up there on their todo list with having a colonoscopy do i have to.
Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to reallife, entertaining examples. Our rule 1 of commas now acknowledges the option of omitting the oxford comma before and as long as omitting the comma does not cause confusion. Use a comma before which when it introduces a nonrestrictive phrase. Therefore, when you use these expressions to join one. Sep 11, 2015 yes, though i would suggest the use of the word although in most other contexts. When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in the above example, it is known as the oxford comma. You could remove the title from this sentence and readers would still understand it. Its almost always optional to put a comma before and. Jan 01, 2008 to the delight of word nerds everywhere, grammar girl s quick and dirty tips for better writing came out yesterday. Grammar girl, is determined to wipe out bad punctuation.
Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing by. As a general rule, you dont need a comma before as well as. Some people say to always use it and other people say to only use it when leaving it out. Fines are, however, an important tool the library uses to get people to return books on time. Start here for quick tips to get punctuation on track for you or your students. I dont use a comma before too at the end of a sentence. You set off information in a sentence when the modifier is nonessential, meaning if there is a specific enough noun that the info modifies, then you set off the phrase, clause, or word. Mignon fogarty is the founder of quick and dirty tips and the author of seven books on language, including the new york times bestseller. With so many different grammar books saying so many different. There are a few exceptions that require you to use the oxford comma in a list, but they are pretty rare. That last comma before the and is called a serial comma, oxford comma, or harvard comma. The only time you need commas in the question of titles and authors is if that information is in an introductory prepositional phrase or part of some other grammatical situation that requires commas such as in the scarlet letter by nathanial hawthorne, hester prynne suffers tremendously under the weight of her guilt and shame. Sep 21, 2015 this chart from grammar girl presents the ultimate writing guide for students gives examples of the 15 most common ways to use a comma.
Should you place a comma before so when it joins two clauses in a sentence. My estate goes to my husband, son, daughterinlaw, and nephew. I have to admit, i am a huge proponent of the oxford comma. Some people say to always use it and other people say to only use it when leaving it out would cause confusion. The last item is usually joined by a conjunction like and, or, or nor. Yes, ting said i did see the baby panda at the zoo today. Although the weather is sunny now, the news was predicting rain. I was disappointed to see such a meager section on commas. The answer depends on whether the clause introduced by so is an independent or dependent clause. See more ideas about grammar, punctuation and grammar and punctuation. Used in english to restate a previous word or expression. The banks officers were a little concerned about the us subprime crisis, but didnt think it would have a significant impact on their operations. This page explains when to use commas and gives examples for. Use a comma to separate items in a list but beware of the serial comma.
The rules about serial commas are an example of such guidelines. This article is about coupled with, as well as, along with, together with, not to mention enjoy your reading. Here is a screenshot of some of my article text in prowritingaid. Common grammar mistakes duke university medical center. In the ops sentence example, with is applied in place of because of, or owing to, meaning that the reason that the subject had the support of the crowd is because of the fact, or is owing to the fact that his hometown of philadelphia was nearby in. No commas with which, that and who grammar monster. Jun 21, 2019 with so many different grammar books saying so many different things about commas, what is the best advice writers can get about where, or if, to put a comma. I am editing a work of fiction in which the author has rigidly applied the rule. Mar 15, 2010 bthe words after the comma are what the books call a nonrestrictive clause. The paperback of the grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing by. If you erased the words, it would make no difference to the meaning. Previously published as part of grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing. One of the most frequent errors in comma usage is the placement of a comma after a coordinating conjunction.
Ellipses punctuation rules the blue book of grammar. If there is a subject with a verb in the second clause, use a comma. Commas should sometimes be placed before and after names and titles. You should always use commas before and after a dependent clause starting with which, and you should not use commas for a clause starting with that. Whether or not you put a comma before and depends on how youre using and. Grammar girl explains when to use a comma in this brief excerpt. The serial comma is the comma before the last and in a series.
You usually put a comma before and when its connecting two independent clauses. If the specific examples arent essential to the accuracy of your sentence, then use a comma before such as and after your example, unless the example is at the very end of the sentence. This 352 page workbook features a systematic approach that first teaches children the parts of speech and the punctuation necessary to create complete, effective sentences. Presubmission basic grammar and style primer for childrens. Do you place a comma before a poems title in a sentence.
When youre defining an abbreviation, write out the words first and then put. Curleys post, in his second paragraph, second sentence, he didnt put a comma after the word books. When and how can you use a comma before or after but. If the name is at the beginning of a sentence, you put a comma after it. Grammarly s writing assistant can help you make sure your punctuation, spelling, and grammar. The only time you need commas in the question of titles and authors is if that information is in an introductory prepositional phrase or part of some other grammatical situation that requires commas. Grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing by mignon.
Use such as to provide specific examples of something youre talking about. Should you put a comma before too, either, or also. Jul 30, 2009 when placed after the main clause, also called the independent clause, neither subordinating conjunctions nor subordinate clauses get commas before them. Dont use a comma before which when its part of a prepositional phrase, such as in which. See this grammar girl post on how to use semicolons and conjunctive adverbs, such as therefore. I recommend this book to anyone who struggles with grammar. Our rule 16a of commas says, use a comma before and after certain introductory words or terms, such as namely, that is, i.
If youre an expert english grammarian, mignon fogartys grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing isnt for you. If so begins an independent clause, a comma should precede it, but if it begins a dependent clause, leave it out. Commas may be placed after the closing parenthesis but not before either the opening or the closing parenthesis. Simply paste or write your text below and click check my writing to get feedback on your writing. Grammar girl, is determined to wipe out bad punctuationbut shes also determined to make the process as painless as possible. Buy our book smashing grammar 2019 written by the founder of grammar monster, smashing grammar includes a glossary of grammar essentials from apostrophes to zeugma and a chapter on easily confused words from affecteffect to whetherif.
Writing and editing essentials from grammar girl and word czar. Dont use commas before the first or after the last item in a series. Theres no single rule that applies to all situations. They are useful in getting right to the point without delay or distraction.
This chart from grammar girl presents the ultimate writing guide for students gives examples of the 15 most common ways to use a comma. Commas before and in a series grammar and punctuation. Just place a comma between each item and an appropriate punctuation mark at the end. Plenty of grammar books highlight the rules for correct use of commas, so i. The sentence is correct with or without the comma before and. Apr 27, 2014 grammar girl explains when to use a comma in this brief excerpt from, supercharge your content.
Use a comma before and after certain introductory words or terms, such as namely, that is, i. May 21, 2012 whenever you find yourself using a comma before an identification, characterization or explanation, remember that there has to be a comma after the i. If youre looking for a guideline, use the comma when you want the extra emphasis. Commas with names and titles, simplified the critical reader. Ill continue to use commas before too, also, and either whenever possible. Grammar and conventions 46 benchmark writers workshop grade 5 persuasive letters 2012 benchmark education company, llc 1. Grammar girl book grammar girl ss grammar girl grammar girl s grammar girl commas faq or faqs grammar girl apostrophe after z grammar girl grammar girl quick and dirty tips for better writing pdf grammar girl presents the ultimate writing guide for students grammar girl presents the ultimate writing guide for students by mignon fogarty the senior girl s guide to girl scouting i am that girl. I use commas before or after or around names used in direct address that is, when youre addressing somebody, as in hello, laura, or rodney, welcome, or honey, im home. Lets start with the fact that unless a name or title is the last words in a sentence, it can either be used with no commas at all, or with a comma both before and after. Mignon fogarty, author of grammar girl s quick and dirty tips for better writing invaluable reference work for professional proofreaders, editors, and writers because it is the only book that presents chicago, ap, apa, and mla conventions side by side. Comma with because everything language and grammar.
Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before. Misusing which and that that signals a restrictive clause, and which signals a nonrestrictive clause. One of my favorite old grammar books, titled punctuate it right, has a. Nov 29, 2005 the complete book of grammar and punctuation offers children in grades 3 to 4 extensive instruction and practice in the practical applications of grammar and punctuation. One use for commas is to separate a persons name from his or her title.
This book is a quick, helpful read with a fun to follow voice. If there is no subject with a connecting verb, omit the comma. In both those sentences, the part after the adverb isnt. You can see that the mistake is clearly marked with an explanation of the comma. Dont switch back and forth in the same document between using the oxford comma and not using it.
If the title doesnt limit the meaning of the sentence that is, if its used as a nonrestrictive phrase place a comma before it as well as after it. Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, are high in vitamin c. Jul 26, 2011 previously published as part of grammar girls quick and dirty tips for better writing online sensation grammar girl makes punctuation fun and easy. The last poem that poe ever wrote, annabel lee, was completed in 1849. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Splice girls, and boys comma splice is a term used for the linking of two independent clauses that is, grammatical units that contain a subject and a verb and could stand. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. After all, we are judged by our use of language in certain contexts. Online sensation grammar girl makes punctuation fun and easy in grammar girls punctuation 911. Because you dont have two complete sentences connected by an adverb, your grammar is fine either way. Focus explain using commas to punctuate peoples titles say. You dont use a comma everywhere you would pause when speaking.
Mignot fogarty, better known as grammar girl provides the public with an accessible reference on punctuation. Comma before that common mistakes in business english. Commas with transition words grammar girl quick and dirty tips. If you are writing for a british audience, put the comma after the closing quotation mark. Put a comma before and, but, for, or, nor, so, and yet when they connect two independent clauses sentences that can stand alone. If, however, the subordinating conjunction and its dependent clause come at the beginning of a sentence, a comma must be used after the clause. Separate three or more items in a series with a comma. The comma after with in this case is correct, as the subject is not in the company of or in possession of something or someone. If, however, the answer to the question who is my cousin is simply the girl, then. Is it necessary to put comma after the word currently. We cannot say that the comma will always come before the conjunction and never after, but it would be a rare event, indeed, that we need to follow a coordinating conjunction with a comma.
Hi, i would appreciate your input concerning the following sentences i saw today. How should the punctuation work for and, therefore. Omitting the comma after son would have led the reader to believe that the son and nephew had to split onethird of the estate each receiving onesixth rather than understanding that each relative received onefourth of the estate. Smashing grammar 2019 written by the founder of grammar monster, smashing grammar includes a glossary of grammar essentials from apostrophes to zeugma and a chapter on easily confused words from affecteffect to whetherif. This is because the us represents only 20 per cent of the countrys exports, with most of perus exports going to asia.
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