The second sentence uses no comma, as it is not required. If you are joining two independent clauses, use a comma before the word but. John loves pizza but he loves ice-cream too. John loves pizza, but he loves ice-cream too. Where the but is not joining two independent clauses, do not use a comma. The toilet paper is soft, but strong. The toilet paper is soft but strong. The comma is a useful and multifunctional part of English grammar, it can help the flow of a piece of text and provide a small break for the reader.
Read more of our blogs here. What is a comma and when do I use it? When to use them Some parts of grammar are easy to understand. Comma After Introductory Phrase When you are introducing a sentence, you will most often use a comma.
Here is an example: When the show is over, Richard will come home. Using them with Subjects and Verbs A comma should not separate a subject and its verb. Comma Splices A comma cannot be used to join independent clauses.
Comma Before But If you are joining two independent clauses, use a comma before the word but. View our Cookie Policy. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website.
These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. You can view our cookie list here. Necessary Necessary. Download or print a PDF of these rules which also include exercises.
Rule: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction and, but, yet, so, or nor, for when it joins two complete ideas independent clauses. Rule: Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase. A comma tells readers that the introductory clause or phrase has come to a close and that the main part of the sentence is about to begin. Rule: Use a comma to separate each item in a series; a series is a group of three or more items having the same function and form in a sentence.
Rule: Use commas to enclose clauses not essential to the meaning of a sentence. These nonessential clauses are called nonrestrictive. Clauses which are essential are called restrictive. Both restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses may begin with a relative pronoun such as who, whom, whose, that, which.
A relative pronoun refers to the noun or pronoun that precedes it. Rule: An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames a nearby noun. Appositives offer nonessential information. Nonrestrictive appositives are set off with commas; restrictive appositives are not.
Rule: When a speaker in a sentence names the person to whom he is speaking, this addressing of his audience is called direct address. Direct address is indicated by the use of a comma or commas, depending upon its placement within the sentence. If I wrote instead: "He is great and works hard," this is an independent clause and a dependent clause, because "works hard" is not a complete sentence.
A grammar guru, style editor, and writing mentor in one package. Try it for free! In some circumstances, you may use a comma before a conjunction such as "and" when it starts a dependent clause. This is when you are using the comma as an Oxford comma sometimes known as a serial comma.
The conjunction must split the third item of a list. I ate, slept , and dreamed of England. Read more about using an Oxford comma. Correct: He ate dinner, slept all night, and awoke refreshed. Should I also include a comma after "and" when it joins two independent phrases? If the word "and" is used to join two independent clauses, then there should be a comma before the "and" and never after it.
You might want to include a comma after the "and", but this is never correct. For example, when "and" is followed by a phrase beginning with a preposition, such as "for example" or "as you will see", you might think to add a comma after the "and". This is because it might seem that there is a pause there. However, as you have already included a comma before the "and" a comma here is unnecessary and even ugly.
Incorrect: You will read this, and, as you will see, you will also understand it. Incorrect: You will read this and, as you will see, you will also understand it. Correct: You will read this, and as you will see, you will also understand it. Incorrect: He will come, and, if you see him, he will give you an autograph. Incorrect: He will come and, if you see him, he will give you an autograph. Correct: He will come, and if you see him, he will give you an autograph.
The easy way to remember this rule is that if you have an "and" that joins two independent phrases and is followed by a preposition, you should have a comma before the "and" and not after it. The Grammar Guide Comma Is it grammatically correct to put a comma before "and"? There are three ways that "and" can be used in a sentence: To separate two independent clauses, i. To separate two dependent clauses, i. To separate items in a list, e.
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