Questions tagged [commas]
The comma is a punctuation character that is placed on the baseline and looks similar to a single quotation mark.
0
votes
0answers
34 views
Is it natural to end a sentence with “I think/believe”?
It is normal to say:
I believe/think that X is more important than Y.
But is it normal and more importantly correct to phrase the sentence like this:
X is more important than Y I believe/think....
0
votes
4answers
77 views
Nonrestrictive Clauses and Coordinating conjunction separating two independent clauses
Quick, not so simple question.
I know that, if you join two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction (like "and"), you need a comma before the coordinating conjunction.
For example: I ...
0
votes
1answer
26 views
Comma or No Comma [on hold]
We heard her yelling, "Stop!"
Should there be a comma after yelling since it's not a direct quote?
-4
votes
0answers
26 views
Help needed with dialogue issue [closed]
I was just curious about a beta's suggestions, and what looks right to you?
1 (lower case he and no commas before dialogue)
“What's your name?” he asked again.
--
Aryn shook her head. “I don't ...
0
votes
2answers
36 views
Use of comma and its effect on the meaning [closed]
I have two sentences with a difference in the meaning because of the comma’s usage, but I don’t remember what was the meaning of each! Please help me to know the meaning of each. Thank you!
My ...
0
votes
0answers
17 views
Commas in a series of three or more nouns followed by a verb
Consider the definition of the word racism from Oxford.
prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.
...
0
votes
1answer
16 views
Comma before and after “and” and again after non-essential information?
I always have trouble figuring out how to punctuate these kinds of sentences (the commas in particular). I feel like the first example should be correct, but the commas also seem excessive. What do ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
Is my comma usage correct in this sentence?
"When there is too much carbon in the atmosphere, too much heat is trapped from the Sun’s light rays, dramatically increasing the global temperature."
0
votes
0answers
22 views
Commas Around Names [duplicate]
Would you write
The cruise liner Titanic hit an iceberg.
Or
The cruise liner, Titanic, hit an iceberg.
Thanks
-1
votes
1answer
21 views
Comma + as phrase
I am a bit confused about the use of commas before and after the "as" phrase. I mean, is it possible that there is no comma before and after such a phrase? For instance, the man AS YOUR GUARDIAN will ...
0
votes
1answer
45 views
Colloquial sentence endings like “is all” and “is how”
I'm writing dialogue for a short story and I want to 'transcribe' the characters' colloquialisms in a way that best adheres to the rules of written English (I'm an ESL speaker). My protag ends some of ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
Commas Surrounding “And”
While writing a paper for English, I stumbled across a weird sentence:
Scout’s father, Atticus, is hired to defend Tom in the trial, and, although it is a lost cause because of the racism of the ...
2
votes
2answers
23 views
Using a comma before a subordinate clause
It is very common that we don't insert a comma before a subordinate clause at end position as follows:
The President was opening a new university when a bomb went off.
However, I came across ...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
Comma use with cumulative adjectives
In this sentence fragment
"identifying, building, training, and retaining an enormous network of qualified former X, Y, and Z personnel",
should there be a comma after "qualified" given that "...
1
vote
0answers
56 views
What is the official rule(s) regarding punctuation and end-sentence participles?
I tried searching for this, but only received more questions, instead of answers. Recently, I was asked a question about participial phrases and the punctuation that surrounds them. Attempting to ...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
Separating two independent clauses by a comma when they are linked with a dependent clause
I searched and couldn't find an exact match to this. I have two seemingly independent clauses in the sentence below, but at the end of sentence, I have a dependent clause that needs to apply to both ...
0
votes
1answer
22 views
Colon or comma for direct quotations?
I've seen two ways to introduce direction quotations:
1) The host made an announcement, "You are all staying for dinner."
2) The host made an announcement: "You are all staying for dinner."
Is one ...
-1
votes
0answers
20 views
Should I place a comma after someone's name?
For example: Mary, I'm done with work, but I'm not home yet.
Versus: Mary I'm done with work, but I'm not home yet.
1
vote
2answers
53 views
I came across the following sentence. Is the comma before “but” essential?
Chelsea, a big club for many years now, has a habit of producing players with good potential, but most of the academy graduates do not get a chance to play for the senior squad.
-1
votes
0answers
29 views
Defining relative clause followed by comma when clause ends with negation & is followed by verb?
Whilst writing my dissertation I wrote the following line: 'Many of the features which Kotlin has that Java does not come at the cost of strange, seemingly erroneous drawbacks to, in particular, ...
-1
votes
0answers
19 views
How do you correctly punctuate this phrase (preferably according to Chicago with citations)?
Pre-K to 8, Algebra 1 and Geometry
or
Pre-K to 8, Algebra 1, and Geometry
Does Pre-K to 8 function as one item and necessitate the oxford comma, or is not really an oxford comma in this case ...
0
votes
2answers
51 views
Is the grammar in this article of this student constitution correct?
I am currently disputing my eligibility to run for president of my college's Student Government. The grounds on which my opponents are seeking to exclude me from the ballot fall upon the following ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
Comma after Yeah
Yeah, but it seems like I will reach by 12.00 pm. Is it grammatically correct, is comma is required after "Yeah". When should someone use comma. If possible provide examples.
1
vote
3answers
35 views
Comma for, e.g., “To the best of our knowledge, …” and “To achieve this, …”
When we start sentences with something like "To the best of our knowledge, ..." or"To achieve this, ...", do we need the commas? For example, which one is correct between "To the best of our knowledge,...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
What is the correct punctuation usage for 'thus' in this sentence?
"They believe technology serves humankind by empowering us with access to information and the ability to spread that useful information; thus, enriching our lives."
1
vote
2answers
34 views
When do we know “not to use comma” before “which”? [closed]
To my knowledge, we do not put comma before which but I have seen some sentences putting comma before which.
i.e. I don't like stories which have unhappy endings.
i.e. The heavy use of automobiles ...
2
votes
1answer
48 views
Is there a hard rule for where commas go when there seems to be two independent clauses but there's only one subject?
Actually, my question is a perfect example -
"Is there a hard rule for where commas go when there SEEMS to be two independent clauses but there's only one subject?"
This one seems easy to me, in ...
0
votes
1answer
35 views
Which part of the question is the dominant clause?
Tell me if I am right in my analysis with this question:
"You like steak, right?"
The statement "You like steak" is the dominant clause, and "right" is simply an interjection of sorts. Just like if ...
0
votes
1answer
36 views
Multiple introductory phrases and commas
I searched for answers to this on the site, but no one is asking the same thing exactly. When you have multiple introductory phrases, prepositional phrases per se, do you have to use a comma to ...
0
votes
2answers
28 views
parenthetical sentence with coordinate clause sharing the same direct object
Is this grammatical in English?
An Italian wizard named Mirkius has found, and managed to control, a ferocious creature named Onestus
2
votes
2answers
53 views
Does this comma matter?
Commas always trip me up. I feel that I use them far too often, and I most likely do. Can anyone set my mind at ease in regards to the following sentence:
Neutrogena is a family-oriented brand ...
1
vote
1answer
45 views
If you wish + comma?
Would you place a comma in the following sentence ?
"If you wish to confirm, please send us a deposit".
Thanks.
0
votes
1answer
23 views
Comma usage with “or”
I believe I have the proper usage of commas with "or" for this case, but I cannot find anything on the WWW (and this site) to confirm it. If I knew what it was called, I'm sure my search would be more ...
1
vote
2answers
56 views
Commas before and/or after "because
Which is proper grammar:
He argues that there is no binding contract, because, at any given time...
He argues that there is no binding contract, because at any given time...
Thanks so much!
0
votes
1answer
47 views
Do we need to add a comma before “as”
I am writing to inform you that I would not able to attend the course from 19 February as my new shift timings match the course timings.
0
votes
1answer
20 views
Comma Usage in this sentence
"The Group members shall consist of representatives who will coordinate and facilitate the transfer of knowledge and expertise, taking into consideration the interest or functions involving the ...
0
votes
1answer
38 views
Can I use “as” to replace the “when”？
“He alwas in St.Peter’s Square in Roma in 1978 WHEN John Paul II became Pope and in Tehran a year later WHEN the Shah fell.”
Can I use “as” to replace the “when”？
0
votes
1answer
15 views
Usage of for versus by
Which of the following sentences is correct grammatically ?
Can I know the procedure for booking rooms in the department, for Teaching Assistant(TA) to hold office hours.
Can I know the procedure for ...
1
vote
0answers
27 views
Comma usage with intoductory phrases and/or words
I have the following sentence "But, in general, we tend to..."
Is this proper comma usage?
A similar sentence "However, as for today, we..."
Thank you.
0
votes
1answer
78 views
commas/ omitting “which is”
In the passage below, shouldn't the writer have included which is before the word championed, since it is in a non-defining clause?
In seeking to describe the origins of theater, one must rely ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
Use of commas in a New Yorker article
In the February 11, 2019 edition of The New Yorker, there is a weird profile of the writer Dan Mallory. Can someone help me explain the grammar of the commas I have bolded below? Why is there a comma ...
0
votes
2answers
58 views
Comma usage that I often see and think wrong. Right?
Here's a sentence from no less than Edward Gibbon (The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire):
Twenty-two acknowledged concubines, and a library of 62,000 volumes attested the variety ...
-1
votes
1answer
20 views
Citations and Commas
How do you write #1?
Does #2 need a comma before the word, while or no comma at all?
"How is it? Do you like it? she would ask.
And that is how we would carry on with our mother/daughter dinners each ...
2
votes
1answer
54 views
Comma or no in a two item list where those items are phrases
I am editing some copy, and I'm not sure how to handle these examples. Here is the structure that concerns me:
As a consequence of the magic curse, the cakes dance the salsa[,] and the birds eat ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
Is a comma required here (participial phrase)?
Free press was eliminated ensuring that nothing negative about the Nazis could be published.
Free press was eliminated , ensuring that nothing negative about the Nazis could be published.
Now, ...
-1
votes
1answer
45 views
Comma vs. Colon - single sentences? [closed]
Which would be correct
Let’s look at your final scorecard, General Ignorance.
Let’s look at your final scorecard: General Ignorance.
And can you cite why your response is correct? Thank you
1
vote
1answer
45 views
Comma here? “The store is impressive, yet thoughtful, and it feels like home”
"The store is impressive, yet thoughtful, and it feels like home."
or
"The store is impressive yet thoughtful, and it feels like home."
I'm not sure because it's qualifying something and seems "...
1
vote
2answers
47 views
When to use mid-sentence commas when adding a formal name
Where is it appropriate to insert a comma when putting a persons name in the middle of a sentence, such as when writing an email or letter. Is it really before AND after?
Examples:
Thank you for ...
0
votes
0answers
4 views
Comma placement before 'we have' [duplicate]
Consider a sentence of the type:
There exists x1 such that for all x2, x3, x4, and x5, we have that p holds true.
Are the comma placements correct?
2
votes
1answer
43 views
Comma before “while”
I've been taught that while proceeded by a comma means "whereas", and that when it is not, is interpreted to mean "at the same time".
I wanted to ensure I was correct not to include a comma in the ...
