Q&A for How to Use Commas

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  • Question
    Where should a comma be placed in the sentence "Sadly I was unable to find my lost shoe"?
    Community Answer
    Place it after "sadly," the introductory element.
  • Question
    Is a comma used after the word also?
    Community Answer
    It depends on how you use it in a sentence, if you want to show the reader to have a slight pause, you put a comma. So it would look like: Also, we need groceries. OR But we also need cheese.
  • Question
    Should a comma be used after "recently" in the sentence that begins, "Recently, a minister questioned..." ?"
    Community Answer
    Yes. "Recently" is an introductory element, like "unsurprisingly" under Method 4.
  • Question
    Is the comma correct in the sentence "Elizabeth is my full name, but I go by Liza?"
    Community Answer
    Yes. Commas are used before coordinating conjunctions when there is a complete sentence before and after the conjunction.
  • Question
    "Did the neighbor or anyone else ever see this abuse?"
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    No comma needed.
  • Question
    Is this sentence correct? "You're confusing me, Sir."
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes.
  • Question
    What is the proper comma usage in the sentence "Please let me know how I, can assist you further."?
    Community Answer
    There should be no comma. "Please let me know how I can assist you further."
  • Question
    Is a comma used in the sentence "in 1999 I married my love, Fred Weber, a graduate from Cleveland High?"
    Community Answer
    Yes. "In 1999, I married my love, Fred Weber, a graduate from Cleveland High." You need a comma because "In 1999" is an introductory element.
  • Question
    Is my use of commas in the following sentences correct? "Happy Father's Day, Dad! I love you, Tommy!"
    Community Answer
    Your use of commas is correct in the first sentence but not the second sentence. You should write 'I love you. Tommy', not I love you, Tommy. If you used a comma, it would be too confusing because it would seem like you're telling Tommy that you love him.
  • Question
    Are commas used before end words like "too" or "either?" eg. "me, too" or "me, either."
    Community Answer
    It depends on the context. If those are the only words, the answer is yes, except for "too." Never separate "me" and "too."
  • Question
    Do I use a comma with because? Example: "Cellphones should not be allowed in school, because they distract students."
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes, a comma is used when "because" acts as a conjunction joining two independent clauses (as in your example). An exception is sometimes made when both clauses are short: "I like you because you're nice." As with all punctuation, the goal is to promote clarity.
  • Question
    "Did you receive the email with the diagnostic mammogram attached, for the patient that the surgeon was requesting an MRI?" Did I use the comma correctly?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    No, the comma is not needed. Also it would be better to say, "...for the patient for whom the surgeon..."
  • Question
    In a list where there are commas separating items, example: apples, oranges, grapes, and bananas, why do I need a comma before "and"? Doesn't the word "and" replace a comma?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    There is distinct disagreement on this point, running largely along national lines. Your best bet is to follow the rules generally observed in your locale.
  • Question
    Happy birthday, Bill. Is that right?
    Community Answer
    Great use of a comma! And correct! With modern technology sometimes limiting the number of characters a person can use when communicating, people often forget to include necessary punctuation. But not you! Your punctuation skills are awesome.
  • Question
    "If you discriminate you labor for nothing." Is there a comma after "discriminate"?
    Community Answer
    Yes. "If/then" statements have commas. Add an imaginary "then" to see if the sentences makes sense. If it does, it needs a comma.
  • Question
    Where would I place the comma in this sentence: "The fact that you do not like much music does not prove anything."
    Community Answer
    No comma is required in that sentence.
  • Question
    Should there be a comma before "&" in this: "What, When, Where, & How"?
    Community Answer
    There is always a huge argument when it comes to the use of the Oxford comma (the comma before the "&"). Although it is technically optional, I always use the Oxford comma, just to make sure there is as little room for misinterpretation as possible.
  • Question
    Is comma placement correct? "He had been seen, in the past, by a local physician, in the emergency room."
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    No commas are needed in that sentence.
  • Question
    Are these commas correct? "At around 1380 Chaucer wrote some of his best-known works such as, 'The Parliament of Foules,' which is now interpreted."
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    No comma is required after "such as." The second comma is OK if the clause that follows is non-defining.
  • Question
    Would I place a comma between "Fooled, again."
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    No.
  • Question
    Do I need comma between two parts of the question: "What copybook do I need, and do I...?"
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes, it's proper to place a comma after the first question.
  • Question
    "Cellphones should not be allowed in school because if kids have cellphones, they would be distracted in class, with social media." Are the commas correct in this sentence?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Put a comma after "school." The comma after "cellphones" is correct. No comma is necessary after "class."
  • Question
    "Regrettably, my attempts to recreate this heavenly fudge do not even come close!" OK?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    That comma is OK.
  • Question
    Should a comma be placed before the word "at"? Example: Please contact Ms. Jones, Manager, at 404-123-4567.
    Community Answer
    Yes. The commas are separating the title "manager" which is a non-restrictive modifier (2.2 above).
  • Question
    "Michael Moore's movie, Roger & Me, launched his career as a filmmaker." Is this correct?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Commas are not needed when the added information (such as the movie title) is essential to the meaning of the sentence (as it is in this case). You should use quotation marks around the title (or italicize it).
  • Question
    Do I need a comma after "as a result, of an unsatisfactory?"
    Community Answer
    No, you do not need a comma there.
  • Question
    Which of the following is correct? "I know you have it, just give it to me" or "I know you have it just give it to me."
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    I know you have it. Just give it to me.
  • Question
    Is a comma needed in "Please ask any questions you may have, as this is important"?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes, use the comma. Here "as" is a conjunction joining two independent clauses, so a comma precedes it.
  • Question
    "I saw a scary movie 'Haunting Doll' in LA Theater." Do I have to use any commas?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes, place commas after "movie" and after "Doll."
  • Question
    Is the correct placement of commas? "As you know, I saw him last year on the 28th of April for similar complaints, and, at the time, the examination showed no findings."
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    The first two commas are correct. The last two are not needed, although some writers do use them.
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