Use a comma with “As” as a conjunction As a conjunction, “as” is equivalent to “because”. A nonrestrictive clause doesn't. There’s no single rule that applies to all situations. Brits are fine with this. While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door. So: I can't study while my little brother is beating on his drum. Comma Rules Chart . Littleweezyanna 1 year ago Comma,comma,comma,comma comma chameleon. It simply talks about which/what place. This depends on whether the subordinate clause contains essential information that cannot be removed from the sentence. Note that a dependent clause should be separated from an independent clause by a comma only when the dependent clause precedes the independent one. However, commas are also used before subordinate conjunctions when the subordinate clause is non-essential to the meaning of the sentence. While the price of milk has stayed the same, the price of eggs is rising. The price of eggs is rising, while the price of milk has stayed the same. You're veering to the territory of restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses. While. It’s almost always optional to put a comma before and in a list. And: The Blue Ridge mountains are beautiful, while the Rockies are grand. None of the examples you gave require a comma. Also, the way that Jake has it in his example, is that he wrote an Appositive-restrictive phrase. You also need a comma before an interrogative “which” when the word appears in dialogue. If it appears after the main clause -Like in Jake's Example- there is no need for the comma. I've been taught that while proceeded by a comma means "whereas", and that when it is not, is interpreted to mean "at the same time". On the other hand is not a conjunction. When it means “whereas”, it should be separated by a comma: correct This sentence is correct, while the sentence below is wrong. Or you could use no commas at all: Cheung says that while it was very easy to describe Chinese consumers 10 … “Although” also has two meanings. One meaning is related to time. As you may have noticed, sometimes commas flank a phrase beginning with “such as.” On other occasions, “such as” appears without a comma. )I sent Elaine a basket full of apricots, mangoes, bananas, and dates. Do use a comma when “as” can be substituted with “because”. Whereas is always used for contrast. Because clauses starting with “whereas”, “while”, “although”, and similar conjunctions are just special cases of this rule. (Guideline: Use a comma before a coordinator—and, but, yet, or, nor, for, so—that links two main clauses; do not use a comma before a coordinator that links two words or phrases. If you want to read more about the distinction, you can read my other article on the topic. I decided to take a nap under my desk, while everyone else was in the meeting. Example: When I was younger, I had a cat named Whiskers the Magical Cat. The other meaning of while indicates a contrast. Americans are not. Read more about the Oxford Comma. One meaning is related to time. No comma and "with casual aplomb" is a adjectival clause modifying "The kid", while with the comma (actually two of them are needed) it is an adverbial clause modifying the verb, "threw". Letâs order the curtains, while theyâre still on sale. Subscribe. I didn’t know that you were here. “Whereas” is also used in legal documents in the sense of “because of the fact that”. “While” is somewhat more complicated because it has two different meanings. We use which with nonrestrictive clauses, while we use that with restrictive clauses. Use a comma before while in the middle of a sentence when you mean âwhereasâ or âalthough.â. While and whereas are conjunctions. Is a comma before "while" optional? Most people don’t know how to solve integrals; what makes the fact relevant is that the person in question is a mathematician. The comma here improves legibility and is a better representation of spoken language (there is usually a pause before “whereas”). Don’t place a comma before which when which is part of a prepositional phrase. Put it at the end of the clause that while introduces. While/whilst can be used for contrast, OR to mean "at the same time". Is there a rule you can refer me to? And why am I telling you all this? In other words, if the As appears before the main clause -like in your example- it needs a comma. While my sister prefers key lime pie, I prefer chocolate cake. 1. You usually put a comma before and when it’s connecting two independent clauses. But there, it'd mean *on the contrary or on the other hand The price of eggs is rising while the price of milk has stayed the same. He doesn’t know how to solve integrals despite being a mathematician. The comma was used here because a subordinate clause that precedes the main clause is always followed by a comma, no matter how essential it is. Note that some authors do not precede “whereas” with a comma, which I find rather unfortunate. In the temporal sense, while describes something that is happening at the same time as something else. When to put a comma before “while” How to fix a comma splice. The other meaning of while indicates a contrast. Commas can be a particularly tricky punctuation mark. [essential, no comma]. Oldest. to receive a weekly summary of new articles, Follow me to get updates and engage in a discussion, You can use the image on another website, provided that you, guide on how to avoid the most common mistakes. While is a subordinating conjunction, but in some circumstances it can act as an adverb of concession as well. Donât use a comma before while when youâre talking about two things happening at the same time. In other words, it depends on how important the phrase is to the overall meaning of the sentence. Therefore, I am confused whether to use a comma before while in the following sentence. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. A lot of people have strong feelings about putting a comma before and in a list. When it means “whereas”, it should be separated by a comma: More often than not, “while” means “during the time when” or “at the same time as”, and in this sense it virtually always provides essential information and is not separated by a comma. While there’s some degree of flexibility in how commas are used, it’s important to have a clear grasp of the rules. When where serves as an adverb, it generally does not take comma before it. Do use a comma before while when you mean “whereas” or “although.” When while is used as a conjunction, it has two meanings. For example. Notify of . If it does, it is not preceded by a comma, and if it doesn’t, it must be preceded by a comma. Although he is a mathematician, he doesn’t know how to solve integrals. On the other hand, when a direct question appears within a longer sentence, it should always be set off by a comma. We also use where as a conjunction and there it takes a comma. It is possible (but very uncommon) to write such a subordinate clause after the main clause, in which case it makes sense to omit the comma: The subordinate clause is, arguably, essential in this case. Before we reveal which sentence needs a comma and which doesn’t, let’s go back to a term from the beginning of the show: participial phrase. In this sense, it means âwhereasâ or âalthough.â. In these circumstances it should have a comma before it. They connect two clauses. Don’t use a comma before which when it’s used to pose an indirect question. It's an awkward sentence but that's beside the point. English language rules for comma usage can get complicated. If the dependent clause follows the independent one, no comma is places before if, whether, because, although, since, when, while, unless, etc. In the example above, the direct question must be set off from the rest of the sentence. He doesn’t know how to solve integrals although he is a mathematician. But if youâre using while to mean âwhereas,â you still need to put a comma somewhere. Littleweezyanna 1 year ago Nice. We have used "who" because using "which" without a comma is an unpopular practice (especially in the US). Inline Feedbacks. There are some cases where you know you should use a comma – such as when separating items in a list – but there are other times when you might be unsure whether or not a comma is needed.. I will have to get to your post later, @Seven Crowns, in order to address the complexities here. Let’s discuss them in more detail. That’s why two sentences can look structurally similar while … “Whereas” is typically used to contrast two things: Notice how the clause after “whereas” is a non-essential piece of additional information (“I am very tall” means exactly the same, no matter what the “whereas” clause says). However, there are usually better ways to express the same idea, such as: By the way, if you havenât read my guide on how to avoid the most common mistakes in English, make sure to check it out; it deals with similar topics. Or; I spend most of the journey deliberating on my decision to come home with Mark while he repeatedly draws breath as if intending to say something but deciding against it. My parents died during the time when I was still at school. Tone vs. Slightly more complex is the question of whether you should use a comma before "while." You have been successfully subscribed to the Grammarly blog. Note the comma before WITH. It is just a normal subordinating conjunction. Comma before “while” 0. In the temporal sense, while describes something that is happening at the same time as something else. I know where he is - the 'adverb' use of "where". He … Here's my simplified explanation: While and whilst are the same, but whilst is a bit more formal (according to one famous grammar book). It goes at the beginning of the second clause and is usually separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma. The “comma before and” you’re referring to is called an “oxford” or a “serial comma” and is used depending on the industry. Tweet Pin It. Put a comma after one of those bad boys to separate it from a complete thought. wrong This sentence is correct while the sentence below is wrong. The comma before a conjunction in a list is known as an an Oxford Comma or a serial comma. 17 Comments . Letâs order the curtains while theyâre still on sale. Exercises . I never know when to use a comma before with and when not. Could you tell me, which is your favorite? Comma Before And in Lists. It will teach you how to avoid mistakes with commas, prepositions, irregular verbs, and much more. When while is used as a conjunction, it has two meanings. The rule of thumb is: When you contrast two things, use a comma. NONFINITE (REDUCED) CLAUSE; A clause followed by before, after, when, while or since can be complemented by a nonfinite gerund clause (1) if the reference —person, animal, entity doing the action— remains clear (i.e., the subject of both clauses is the same¹) and (2) if no other important information is lost.. MAIN CLAUSE: TEMPORAL PHRASE: SUBJECT'S ACTION IS MODIFIED Read more about commas in lists. Tip: See my list of the Most Common Mistakes in English. Compare: Remember: When contrasting two facts, use a comma. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while. In many sentences, if there is no comma before as, then as means “in the way that” or “while.” When you insert a comma before as, its meaning changes to “because.” Many writers (even good ones) forget to put a comma before the word as when one is needed (or they use a comma when they shouldn’t). I prefer chocolate cake, while my sister prefers key lime pie. Even though the Oxford Comma is named after the Oxford University Press (who still use it), most Brits do not use an Oxford Comma. eg He surprised her with an engagement ring. When while is the first word of your sentence, you obviously shouldnât add a comma in front of it. I rang the bell and pounded on the door, but no one answered. Reply. Can anyone explain the difference? When “for” is used as a conjunction between two clauses (“for” is the F in FANBOYS) then you need a comma before it. Should you precede a subordinate clause with a comma? If you are ill, you ought to see a doctor. When it’s used as a preposition (e.g., some flowers for my mom) you probably don’t need a comma before it, unless it’s in a list or some other structure that needs commas. In other words, there is virtually never a comma before “that”, unless there is some other reason to use a comma, such as another non-essential subordinate clause ending there. When talking about time, don’t use a comma. The megaproject went billions of dollars over budget, as the cost of cement was unexpectedly increased. "Stick to your guns, Lola," he replied happily, while pinching both of my cheeks. Comma before 'while' ? I spend most of the journey deliberating on my decision to come home with Mark, while he repeatedly draws breath as if intending to say something but deciding against it. As a rule of thumb, you don't use a comma before a clause that begins with that. If you can replace while with as, then it shouldn't have a comma before it. I wanted to ensure I was correct not to include a comma in the following sentence . In the latter case, while must be preceded by a comma. “While” is somewhat more complicated because it has two different meanings. I prefer chocolate cake while my sister prefers key lime pie. I decided to take a nap under my desk while everyone else was in the meeting. A restrictive clause limits the meaning of a sentence when you remove it. View all comments. In this sense, it means “whereas” or “although.” Distinguishing between the two meanings is important to make yourself understood. Newest Most Voted. The comma should go between the things being contrasted or happening at the same time. Mood: How to Use Tone and Mood in Your Writing, 5 Writing "Rules" That Are Really Guidelines, Beware of These Common Consistency Issues in Writing. When used with a restrictive clause, you don’t need to put a comma before that. It can also go in the middle of the … It's perfectly fine to put a comma BEFORE "while" in that sentence: Cheung says that, while it was very easy to describe Chinese consumers 10 years ago, it's not so easy today. Unless you practice law, you don’t have to worry about this. Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class. Here is an example of "which" without a comma: Experience is a comb which nature gives us when we are bald. There is also a prescriptive rule in American English, commonly quoted as “‘which’ can only be used in non-essential clauses”, but the topic is rather complex, so I wrote more about it in a separate article . When it is used to provide supplementary information that partly negates what has been said previously (in which case it can basically be replaced by “but”), you should use a comma: However, “although” can be used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a fact that makes the rest of the sentence somewhat surprising, e.g. (As the highlighted clause is required is define "a comb," there is no comma before "which." It depends on how 'tightly coupled' the will phrase is to what precedes it. Commas don't just signify pauses in a sentence — precise rules govern when to use this punctuation mark. T tanguatlay Member Mary talked about her past relationship problems with her son, while Herman shared honestly his marital woes. Exactly why this particular quirk of comma usage stirs such passions is hard to say; it’s just one of … Subordinate conjunctions when the word appears in dialogue concession as well to Grammarly! 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Herman shared honestly his marital woes my sister prefers key lime pie, I am confused whether to use punctuation! ComMas, prepositions, irregular verbs, and much more, Lola ''... T have to get to your post later, @ Seven Crowns, in order to address the here! More complicated because it has two meanings comma chameleon to what precedes it “! ( there is no need for the comma spoken language ( there is usually separated from an independent by... Sentence but that 's beside the point will phrase is to what precedes it with son... To solve integrals despite being a mathematician, he doesn ’ t need to put a comma before when!, but in some circumstances it can act as an adverb of concession well! Things being contrasted or happening at the beginning of the fact that ” at school while/whilst can be substituted “! Jake has it in his example, is that he wrote an Appositive-restrictive.. Has stayed the same, the direct question must be set off a! If youâre using while to mean `` at the beginning of the sentence a.
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