How To Use Commas Correctly Uk

Inverted commas if speech speech marks.
How to use commas correctly uk. Commas confuse us perhaps because there are so many rules for using them and also because comma usage varies by style. However misplaced commas can look bad in academic work. When an adverbial phrase begins a sentence it s often followed by a comma but it doesn t have to be especially if it s short. You can also use a comma with a shorter phrase when you want to emphasize it or add a pause for literary effect. For such a common punctuation mark the comma is a tricky fellow.
They re coordinating if you could place and between them you shouldn t put a comma after the final adjective. Full stops are used to divide text and mark the end of a sentence commas divide up groups of words points ideas within a sentence. Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives. Commas are very helpful when we describe a geographical area for example seattle washington or london uk commas are used to separate an introductory phrase from the remainder words of the sentence. The associated press ap stylebook doesn t ban the oxford comma but the guide recommends using it only when necessary for clarity.
The comma is very frequently used and very frequently used wrongly in fact the rules for using commas are really rather simple though complicated by the fact that the comma has four distinct uses. Punctuation must be used correctly to ensure sentences make sense. Certainly this is reflected in how often we see commas misused in all kinds of writing. If you actually put pauses into it with comma s it actually shows where letters have been abbreviated but with apostrophes. When you re describing something with two or more adjectives you can use a comma between them if those adjectives are coordinating.
The oxford comma is an infamous example. Adding a comma can change the meaning of a sentence. As a rule of thumb if the phrase is longer than about four words use the comma. We re going to eat albert. How to use commas correctly.
Using commas with introductory elements 1 use a comma after most introductory adverbs. Commas also separate independent clauses.