Tags
No tags :(
Use commas to make your meaning clear and to avoid confusion. Many writers are unsure of how to use commas, usually overusing them and making their writing disjointed and difficult to read. Follow the advice below to help you decide when to use commas. If you are still uncertain, read the sentence aloud — it’s often a good guide.
Use a comma:
To separate three or more items (words or phrases) in a list
They sent us notebooks, pens, pencils and rulers.
To separate consecutive adjectives that qualify the same noun
If you can insert the word “and” between the adjectives, use a comma.
Test: It was a hot (and) windy day.
Correct: It was a hot, windy day.
If you cannot insert “and” between the adjectives, don’t use a comma.
Test: They ate cold (and) roast beef.
Correct: They ate cold roast beef.
To separate independent clauses linked by a conjunction
The Queen will arrive today, and the King will arrive on Monday.
Note: If each clause makes sense on its own, use a comma.
To separate introductory words, phrases or clauses
However, I think we need a change.
In general, we work to a four-day deadline.
To separate words tagged on to the end of a sentence
We beat them, didn’t we?
To separate extra words that identify or describe
Mr James, the Sales Manager, will leave today.
To separate words not essential to the meaning of the sentence
If that’s the case, and let’s hope so, it may be important.
To avoid confusion or misreading
We’ll leave when we finished eating, my friends.
To introduce direct speech
The director said, “Let’s improve our performance.”
After a salutation or complimentary close
Dear Mr Hughes, Yours sincerely,
To separate titles, degrees
John Peters, M.P.
To separate numbers
Large numbers
2,222,332
Numbers running together in dates
September 19, 1986
To avoid confusion
By 1990, 90 people will go.
Do not use commas:
To separate independent clauses.
Wrong: The market reached 900 points, the dollar continued to rise.
Right: The market reached 900 points. The dollar continued to rise.
Right: The market reached 900 points, yet the dollar continued to rise.
Right: The market reached 900 points; the dollar continued to rise.
Before an opening bracket
Wrong: There are many computers, (over 100) on the market.
Right: There are many computers (over 100) on the market.
To separate numbers
Postcodes and Zip Codes
Kansas 54221
Identification numbers
Serial No. 22333
Telephone numbers
Tel: 07733 878234
Become a better writer today. StyleWriter 4 – the world’s most comprehensive copy-editing software transforms your writing by showing you how to edit like a professional editor. StyleWriter shows you editing tips, tricks and techniques to redraft your document into a model of clear, concise and readable writing.
Download our 14-day free StyleWriter trial. Use the three editions, Starter, Standard and Professional. Once you’ve chosen the edition you want, buy a license on this website.
StyleWriter – don’t just proofread your document – edit it like a professional.
Become a better writer today. StyleWriter 4 – the world’s most comprehensive copy-editing software transforms your writing by showing you how to edit like a professional editor. StyleWriter shows you editing tips, tricks and techniques to redraft your document into a model of clear, concise and readable writing.
Download our 14-day free StyleWriter trial. Use the three editions, Starter, Standard and Professional. Once you’ve chosen the edition you want, buy a license on this website.
StyleWriter – don’t just proofread your document – edit it like a professional.
Download our 14-day free StyleWriter trial. Use the three editions, Starter, Standard and Professional. Once you’ve chosen the edition you want, buy a license on this website.
StyleWriter – don’t just proofread your document – edit it like a professional.
 |
 |
</tab
Download our 14-day free StyleWriter trial. Use the three editions, Starter, Standard and Professional. Once you’ve chosen the edition you want, buy a license on this website.StyleWriter – don’t just proofread your document – edit it like a professional.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
