Commas
Many writers think it is a good idea to sprinkle commas every few places in there
writing, but this makes for difficult reading.
Here are some places commas should not be used:
* After and, but, and or, unless the comma sets off a dependent clause (a phrase
which can't stand alone as a sentence).
Examples:
Wrong- But, she did get it done on time.
Right- But, to be fair, she did get it done on time.
* Between a month and year in a date: NOT November, 1990,
The comma stops two sets of numerals from running into one another. WRIGHT
November 20, 1990.
* Some style guides call for omitting the comma after very short dependent clauses
at the beginning of a sentence: NOT "On Saturday, the office is closed." WRIGHT
"On Saturday the office is closed." But do use a comma after long dependent causes:
"Because the entire epic is concerned with justifying the ways of God to man,
Milton must present free will in a positive light."
* Commas are preferred before the last item in a list: leaving them out, as in "the
first, second and third chapters," is a habit picked up from journalism. Though it
saves a little space and effort, omitting the final comma suggests the second and
third chapters are some sort of special pair.
More Grammar
essays:
Types of Sentences
... one dependent clause (Capital Community College, 1999). Unlike a compound sentence, however, a complex sentence contains clauses that do not supplement each other. There are two special types of compound sentences. For example, rather ...
Detailed notes on Infinitives.
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On Euphemisms
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Parts of Speech. Nouns, Pronouns, and Verbs
... intransitive, depending on how they are used ina sentence. TRANSITIVE Jill usually ate her sandwich in the cafeteria.[Sandwich tells what Jill ate.] INTRANSITIVE Jill ate right before class today. [Right before ...
English Grammar: Modality
... clauses preceding "but": I may have my flaws but you are worse than me! MUST 1. necessity (epistemic modality). There are two kinds of necessity expressed by "must": LOGICAL ASSUMPTION: This must be my niece, she always rings four times ...
The history and definition of the english dictionary.
... giving example phrases of correct word use. By using a dictionary you can find out which meaning goes with the sentence you ... heart attack.When he died the Merriam brothers purchased the rights to his dictionary in 1843. There are more than 13 ...
English Grammar: The Imperative
... right at the river and keep straight on! Come inside and meet my wife! Try his office and ring his mobile! Do that again and I'll call the police! Have a nice time ...
English Grammar: The Subjunctive And The Conditionals
... conditional sentences, concessive sentences and subordinate clauses after ... TRY again. The committee proposes that he BE ELECTED. These examples represent the class of subjunctive which is called the MANDATIVE ...