quinta-feira, 21 de abril de 2011

Commas, when should you use them?

This question was sent to me by a former student of mine. He is now working and using English as a second language and he is having trouble writing commas in English sentences. I looked it up, and here you have:

1 - Typographical Reasons: Between a city and a state [Hartford, Connecticut], a date and the year [June 10, 2007], a name and a title when the title comes after the name [Drew Smith, Professor of English], in long numbers (3,213,987) 

2 - Never use only one comma between a subject and its verb.

3 - Use a comma to avoid confusion.

Example:
For most the year is already finished.

For most, the year is already finished.

4 - Use commas to set off phrases that express contrast.
Example:
Some say the world will end in ice, not fire.


5 - Use a comma to set off quoted elements.
Example:
"The thing is," said Jim, "we have to avoid parties now, so we can concentrate in our final exams."


6 - Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives.
Example:
 That tall, distinguished, good looking man.
 
7 - Use a comma when you have a relative clause which can be ommited.
Example:
The bridge, which they built two years ago, is falling down.

8 - Use a comma to set off introductory elements.
Example:
When looking at people's faces, he realized how stupid he looked.

9 - Use comma before: and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so
 
10 - Use comma when you are writing an enumeration of things.
Example:
I'm taking books, my tennis shoes, a ball, my bike...

This information was taken from: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm 

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