Does a comma go before or after a comma?

Commas before “Or” When Beginning an Independent Clause It is considered good style to place a comma before or when it begins an independent clause. An independent clause is a clause which could stand alone as its own sentence, because it has its own subject and verb.

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Also asked, does the comma go before or after but?

The answer, therefore, is that no comma is needed before the but. The rule for but is the same as that for the other six coordinating conjunctions: and, for, or, nor, so, and yet. If the conjunction precedes an independent (main) clause, use a comma: “Jack tried a new diet, but he still gained weight.”

Beside above, where do you put commas?

1. Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) that links two independent clauses.
2. Use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence.
3. Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence.
4. Use commas to separate items in a series.

In respect to this, what are the 8 rules for commas?

• Commas (Eight Basic Uses)
• USE A COMMA TO SEPARATE INDEPENDENT CLAUSES.
• USE A COMMA AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY CLAUSE OR PHRASE.
• USE A COMMA BETWEEN ALL ITEMS IN A SERIES.
• USE COMMAS TO SET OFF NONRESTRICTIVE CLAUSES.
• USE A COMMA TO SET OFF APPOSITIVES.
• USE A COMMA TO INDICATE DIRECT ADDRESS.

Does this sentence need a comma?

A comma is usually unnecessary when the sentence starts with an independent clause followed by a dependent clause. Example: Let me know now if you are not sure about this. Rule 5. Use commas to set off nonessential words, clauses, and phrases (see Who, That, Which, Rule 2b).

Related Question Answers

How do you punctuate But in a sentence?

First, look at the words before but: I would go for a walk. Then look at the words after but: it's raining outside. Both of those phrases could stand alone as complete sentences. That means they're independent clauses, so you need to use a comma before but.

Can a sentence begin with but?

Being Wrong Can Make You Happy Of course, there are style guides that discourage it, but it's perfectly acceptable to begin a sentence with “but” when writing. By all means, start sentences with “but” from time to time, but remember that “but” also belongs after a comma.

How do you use or in a sentence?

Commas before “Or” When Beginning an Independent Clause It is considered good style to place a comma before or when it begins an independent clause. An independent clause is a clause which could stand alone as its own sentence, because it has its own subject and verb.

Is it grammatically correct to put a comma before and?

The word and is a conjunction, and when a conjunction joins two independent clauses, you should use a comma with it. The proper place for the comma is before the conjunction. Therefore, we need a comma before and. Don't use a comma before and when one of the clauses it's connecting is a dependent clause.

How do you use but in the middle of a sentence?

Meaning 'but' This usually comes at the beginning of a sentence, and is followed by a comma. The calendar claimed the month was May. However, the temperature felt more like November. For this use, it's also correct to put it in the middle of the sentence, with commas either side.

How many commas should be in a sentence?

You can use two commas for three items, or if you're like me you obsess over the Oxford Comma. That's the little comma that can be arguable both necessary and unnecessary, and is after the last item listed in the series.

Why is it important to use commas?

Why use commas? Commas are used to divide or separate parts of a sentence in order to make the meaning clear and the sentence easier to read. They mark a brief pause in the sentence, usually at a point where you would naturally pause if you were speaking rather than writing.

How do you list names and titles in a sentence?

Commas should sometimes be placed before – and after – names and titles. It all depends on the context. Let's start with the fact that unless a name or title is the last word(s) in a sentence, it can either be used with no commas at all, OR with a comma both before and after.

Can you put two commas in a sentence?

COMMA RULE #3 – THE COMMA IN A COMPOUND SENTENCE: Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet to join two independent clauses that form a compound sentence. A compound sentence is a sentence that has 2 independent clauses. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence.

How do you use commas in a name?

The basic idea is that if the name (in the above example, “Jessie”) is the only thing in the world described by the identifier (“my oldest friend”), use a comma before the name (and after it as well, unless you've come to the end of the sentence). If not, don't use any commas.

What is a clause in a sentence?

A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a predicate (or a verb). There are two types of clauses. Examples of Clauses: Independent Clauses are complete sentences. They can stand alone and express a complete thought.

Do all adverbs end in ly?

Formal Characteristics of Adverbs Because of their distinctive endings, these adverbs are known as -LY ADVERBS. However, by no means all adverbs end in -ly. Note also that some adjectives also end in -ly, including costly, deadly, friendly, kindly, likely, lively, manly, and timely.

Can you start a sentence with and?

It's Fine to Start a Sentence with a Coordinating Conjunction. And, but, and or are the three most common members of a group of words known as coordinating conjunctions. In fact, a substantial percentage (often as many as 10 percent) of the sentences in first-rate writing begin with conjunctions.

What is a conjunction in a sentence?

What is a conjunction? A conjunction is a part of speech that is used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. Conjunctions are considered to be invariable grammar particle, and they may or may not stand between items they conjoin.

How do you correctly punctuate a sentence?

How to punctuate

1. Separate danglers with a comma.
2. If you can, use a period instead of a comma or a hyphen.
3. In a list, use a comma before the final “and”
4. Use a comma before introducing a question.
5. Don't use a comma to represent vocal pauses.
6. Don't use ellipses.
7. Avoid semicolons.
8. Only use colons for standalone sentences.

What do you put after Such as?

If it is just giving an example, you don't need any punctuation For instance, List your activities such as clubs, volunteering and paid work. However, you need a comma in from if such as is part of the non-restrictive clauses. For instance, Fresh fruit provides many nutrients, such as vitamin C, and tastes good too.

How do you use commas with quotation marks?

Commas and periods always go inside the quotation marks in American English; dashes, colons, and semicolons almost always go outside the quotation marks; question marks and exclamation marks sometimes go inside, sometimes stay outside.

How do you use However in a sentence?

To use "however," use it at the beginning of a contrasting statement, followed by a comma. For example, you could say, "I liked my lunch. However, it was too expensive." You can also use "however" in the middle of a sentence to contrast two things. For example, you could say, "I can't make it.

How do you explain Appositives?

An appositive is a noun or a noun phrase that sits next to another noun to rename it or to describe it in another way. (The word appositive comes from the Latin for to put near.) Appositives are usually offset with commas, parentheses (round brackets), or dashes.