![]() ![]() Note: If the distinct items are particularly long or there are commas within one item it is acceptable to use semi-colons instead of commas to separate them: Whether you are singing, playing an instrument, or dancing, expressing yourself with music is relaxing and energising. I am studying German, English, Philosophy, and History. If you remove it, however, the rest of the sentence can stand alone: The extra information in the above examples (in bold) cannot stand alone as a sentence. ![]() How to tell the difference between necessary information and extra information This is especially useful when the extra information has commas within it: you don't want to confuse the reader about where the extra information begins or ends! Note that you could use brackets or dashes instead of commas here: see the section on other punctuation for more. In this situation, there must be commas on both sides. My only transport, a brand-new mountain bike, was stolen yesterday. The baby, who had cried all night, went to sleep at dawn. However, if you add the extra information to the middle of a sentence, you need to put commas on either side: I borrowed some socks off my flatmate, the generous chap. The baby went to sleep at dawn, to his parents' relief. In the end, I borrowed some off my flatmate. If you add the extra information at the start or the end of a sentence, you only need one comma: However, I got some at the supermarket. ![]() Adding extra information to a sentenceĬommas are often used to add extra information to a basic sentence. You can also change the comma to a full stop, a semi-colon, or (sometimes) a colon: see the section on other punctuation for alternative solutions to a comma splice error. If you can replace the comma with a full stop, you need to add a linking word or you will have a comma splice. I met my friend and we went to our lecture. Note: it is not always necessary to put a comma before some linking words when both sentences are simple and short: I tried to get some milk, but the dairy had sold out. I tried to get some milk, the dairy had sold out. I came out to Massey to check my timetable, and I went to my lecture as well. I came out to Massey to check my timetable, I went to my lecture as well. If there is no linking word you have created a comma splice, which is considered to be bad punctuation. Joining two sentences with a linking wordĪ comma can be used to join two sentences, but there must be a linking word (such as, and, so, but, or because) between them. If a comma does not match one of these uses it should be removed from your writing. Joining two sentences with a linking word.Commas are used to mark off parts of a longer sentence to make the meaning clearer. ![]()
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