Key Points If your dependent clause is a fronted adverb, offset it with a comma. Until the bleeding stops , keep applying pressure to the wound. If your dependent clause is at the back, don't use a comma. Keep applying pressure to the wound until the bleeding stops. If your dependent clause is an essential adjective, don't use commas. The boy who stole your bike wants to borrow our pump.
The clause "who stole your bike" identifies the boy. The clause is essential. That's why it is not offset with commas. If your dependent clause is a nonessential adjective, use commas. Jack Johnson, who stole your bike , wants to borrow our pump. This time, "who stole your bike" does not identify the person we know it's Jack Johnson.
The clause is non-essential. With "and," the relationship between the oil and the antioxidant substances is explicit. In other words, the ideas have been combined in a way that makes it clear to the reader what the relationship is between the first and the second clauses.
The semicolon, on the other hand, is no less appropriate, but the reader has to judge from the context what the relationship is between the ideas expressed in each clause since a semicolon can suggest several things, from combination and contrast to simply giving additional information. For example:.
Here a semicolon joins two sentences that express contrast between two people's preferences. This relationship between clauses could be made even more explicit, however:.
In most cases, joining two independent clauses i. In this example, the two ideas expressed are clearly related, as the author wishes to contrast the characters' dialogue with the narrator's. However, the sentence contains a comma splice because the clauses on both sides of the comma are independent clauses :.
In other words, the two sentences above can stand alone as complete sentences. Joining them with a comma results in a comma splice. To correct a comma splice, take a look at the clauses that make up the sentence. Be sure that each sentence includes only one independent clause and the rest dependent clauses.
A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. Like an independent clause , it has a subject and a verb. It may not, however, express a complete thought and may begin with a signal word called a subordinating conjunction. The chart below outlines common coordinating and subordinating conjunctions discussed in this section.
Using the chart above, we can correct the comma splice from the previous sentence in several ways:. A final problem related to sentence structure concerns sentence fragments. Sentence fragments occur when a writer punctuates a phrase as if it could stand alone as a sentence, for example:.
Hi Beth, just found your marvellous site, but after going through this post and the one on Finding Commas in All the Wrong Places, I have one question to ask of this sentence: Tootie drank the moonshine and passed out. But on this blog post, you said it is possible to use a comma, depending on what the writer want to stress. So, is this sentence correct if I want to stress that Tootie drank the moonshine? Sentence: Tootie drank the moonshine, and passed out.
If you want a break, use a period. Hi Beth, thanks for your prompt response to my question a couple of days ago. Listen, I was reading the newspaper today and got stumped by a sentence. I cannot confirm anything until I get some details.
I cannot confirm anything, until I get some details. Jason, because is peculiar since it can lead to phrases that can often be read two ways.
But for your sentences, no commas. Hi Beth, based on the rule for correlative pair, I believe the sentence below is wrong: there should not be any comma in this sentence. Mary says her brother may not be an eloquent man, but he is someone who speaks up for what he believes in. So we have two nouns or two objects or even two phrases or clauses. Mary says her brother may not be an eloquent man but is one who speaks up for what he believes in. A sentence which may not make too much sense.
I came across a sentence yesterday, and I am not sure whether it should have a comma or not. It is not about correlative pairs. Hope you can help. Here goes: Her eyes darted from one face to another as if searching for assurance that we would keep our word about her real identity. I think the sentence is fine as it is. If what follows is parenthetical, if it is nonessential, a comma is needed. For your example, both with a comma and without a comma are correct.
In some sentences, however, a comma would be a necessity. Sometimes we create unintended humor or reader double takes when eyes follow someone around a room or go darting around. Substitute gaze for eyes or rewrite the action when the action is beyond the ability of the human eye. Hi Beth, thanks a lot for your reply. If the house is built soon, Jim would not be there to rejoice, because he passed away two years ago.
Beth, how does one go about with the commas when a sentence has a non-essential element and apostrophes as follows? The way I see it, there should be a comma before Peter and after Henry because John can only have one lead counsel-meaning Peter Henry is a non-essential item.
But with the apostrophe in the picture, I am not sure where the commas should go. Should it be like this? For clarity and to avoid awkward constructions we often rewrite such sentences.
Yet to answer your question before considering a rewrite, we typically do use a comma here. Yet only one and not two in this situation. When the resulting sentence is confusing, rewrite. Would this work? Has enough info been included before this point for it to work? X This one, with two possessives back to back, can be confusing, and we often rewrite such sentences. This is all very helpful. The page is setup like this:.
Joe: Exactly. Jane: So? I either need to go in and add a whole bunch, or take some out. Joe: You would be surprised Jane.
Needed after surprise, or not? Jane: You always manage to make me smile Joe. All your examples require commas. However, you may want to reduce some of the uses of names in direct address. But the overuse of names in dialogue can grow annoying fast, so if you can edit out names and their commas, do it. I will mention to the authors. However, in your answer you mentioned an exception is when the name is the first or last word of the sentence. So, I. Thank you, this has helped considerably.
I am going to make a version that removes a number of the sentences with the names. Then, suggest to the authors, we use that version while pointing out the number of commas back and forth, often in lines with just one or two words.
Very helpful advice and comments, Beth. The same applies to the marbles example. A bit late to the game here, but I would like to know whether or not a comma is needed to separate dependent clauses from each other when two or more follow an initial independent clause. Will Not Be Published Required. See Commas with Subordinate Clauses. See the article Commas with Subordinate Clauses for more […]. A link to an article that covers both conditions […]. NaNo Support Page. So maybe it's not only about the words.
It's about syntax. And plot. And action. It's voice and pacing and dialogue Email Address. The reader will focus on what stands out. Turn the reader's attention where you want it to go. Thank you for reading The Editor's Blog, an Internet resource for fiction writers, freelance editors, and everyone who loves words. Write often. Edit wisely. Affiliate The Editor's Blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.
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