When is a comma necessary before “if?” A comma before “if” is necessary after an introductory remark at the beginning of a sentence. We also need a comma when “if” is used after a mid-sentence transition phrase, such as “for example” or “that is.” We also need to place a comma before “if” when it …
Comma Rules
While we translate to bridge cultures, we punctuate to link the thoughts of the reader and the writer. That’s the very reason why punctuation marks and mathematical symbols are on par with each other. But, languages are also too complex to be fully understood, so it is also natural to get confused about how linguistic …
English punctuation can be confusing. There are so many rules, and plenty of these rules are so nuanced that they really boil down to your own personal judgment. For instance, while the rules for some commas are clear cut, e.g. a comma should separate two independent clauses, other rules require figuring what is and isn’t …
What do you think is the second most appalling question a writer ever gets apart from “Any plans on having a real job?” Actually, it is “Can you briefly tell me how the punctuation system works?” The punctuation system per se is far too complex to be explained in one sitting, let alone “briefly.” So, …
A teacher once asked, “What else could be more perplexing than the punctuation system?” One student answers, “Punctuation decision before words, which belong to multiple parts of speech.” The straight-A student cringed and thought, “You should’ve used that. Not which.” No matter which kind of student you used to be, or you still are, this …
Questions on comma placement before subordinate clauses seem to pop up quite a lot on the internet. This might be because the term “subordinate” sounds a bit too technical, or perhaps, most people think that the punctuation system is too complicated and hard to digest. One thing’s for sure though, and that is, the role …
There are too many other things to worry about in the world, so why even bother taking the time to learn the punctuation system, right? Before I start discussing the nuances behind commas, I’d like to stress the point that having good writing skills could move mountains. Not literally, of course, but writing is the …
What is the most annoying punctuation mark in English? You guessed it right! Commas. But, are they really a hard nut to crack? Please read through the end of this post, and you’ll find out how easy peasy it is to punctuate sentences with commas, especially with the word “overall.” Do we always need …
What about the punctuation of the temporal expression “yesterday”? Do I need a comma after it or not? Well, not so fast, please! The answer to this question is probably more difficult than you would expect. That said, the short answer to the question is simply: Sometimes, it is followed by a comma, and sometimes, …