Commas can be tricky. On top of that, “thus” can be a tricky word. “Thus” can mean “in this way” or “like this.” It can also have the same meaning as the words “consequently,” “therefore,” and “as a result of.” Knowing when a comma is needed with the word “thus” depends in part on which …
Grammar
Despite popular belief, the rules for using commas in a sentence don’t depend on what comes before or after a specific word. Another common misconception is that you need a comma any time you would pause when speaking. The truth is that the purpose of a comma is to provide clarity to a sentence by …
In this article, you will learn how to use commas with the adverb “instead.” Without further ado, let’s dive right in. Do you need a comma before or after instead? A comma before “instead” is usually not needed. When instead is used as an introductory adverb at the beginning of the sentence, a …
The use of commas in written English may already seem as clear as mud. Similarly, cohesive devices such as pronominal adverbs may also make a learner feel like twisting a knife. Despite being intimidating in nature, the function of commas and pronominal adverbs remains hugely the same which is to logically bind words, phrases, or …
When it comes to punctuation, the comma is probably the most used punctuation next to the period. However, unlike the period, using commas can be tricky which can lead to committing errors in their use. These mistakes can make your writing less effective, especially when readers have a harder time understanding due to the improper …
Words like yes, no and maybe are important parts of the English language despite how small they are. While you’re not likely to use these words in a written context very often, there are some situations where they can save you a lot of time and significantly aid in clarity. To use them properly, however, …
It’s, a bit, annoying, when people, put unnecessary commas, in sentences. Let’s eat Tracy! Commas are generally used to signal the reader in taking quick breaks to breathe before proceeding to the next part of the sentence. While commas are essential in separating word series, phrases, or clauses, their unnecessary usage makes sentences awkward and …
Today’s topic is not about rain versus sun (that’s the “weather”) and it doesn’t involve rope, either (that’s a “knot”). Instead, we’re looking at the phrase “whether or not.” How to use the phrase “whether or not” in a sentence The word “whether” is a conjunction used to show that more than one …
A gerund is a verb with “ing” added to the end of it. That sounds pretty straightforward, but identifying a gerund is not quite as simple as that because adding “ing” to a noun does not automatically make it a verb. Only some verbs ending in “ing” are gerunds. We’ll discuss more at length how …