Quick Guide to Commas Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not … “ If, then” statements require commas to separate the two clauses that result. In other cases, a relative clause may be essential. If Hillary Clinton wins the election in 2008, then she will become the first female president. Even when the statement drops the word then, a comma must be used. “If, then” statements require commas to separate the two clauses that result. Zero conditional sentencesrefer to the general truth about a situation. If it rains,(COMMA) we will cancel the trip. “Our friends, Tom, and Mark, were invited to the event.” “Our friends, Tom and Mark, … use a comma to separate items in a series. [email protected]. Still unsure if you should use a comma? Try switching out the word so … "if' clause is usually a dependent clause. You may have a subject-verb expression (which grammarians call a clause) or a verb form (in technical terms, a participle).No matter what they’re called, In English these longer descriptions follow one simple rule: If a description is essential to the meaning of the sentence, don’t put commas around it. If I had the money, I would go to Krakow for vacation. Cleo is a good singer, but she’s an even better dancer. I was under the impression that we can't use a comma before 'if' for the following sentences: You can use comma in if sentences if the 'if' clause comes first. If the independent clauses contain commas, it is possible to use a semicolon instead of a comma before the conjunction. When you're done, compare your answers with those on page two. If the sentence makes sense without the information and/or the clause is just additional information, it is a nonessential clause. In the following sentences, add commas to set off adjective clauses that provide additional, but not essential, information. The conjunctions and prepositions most commonly used to introduce a dependent clause include if, because, while, as, although, since, and unless. The opposite, however, is not true. Zero conditionals are used for facts that are generally true and do not change. So how do you punctuate a subordinate clause? If you have a restrictive clause, which is a clause that changes the meaning of your sentence when it is removed, you should not put a comma before “who.” On the other hand, if the clause after “who” only provides some additional, unnecessary information you should add a comma. I had the money, I would go to Krakow for vacation. Such clauses are called conditional clauses. Rule: If the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, separate it with a comma. Don't add commas if the adjective clause affects the basic meaning of the sentence. In this case, there is no comma separating the two because we do not pause between them in speech. 1. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause. December 12, 2007 by constant-content in Freelance Writing Tips. If an independent clause follows a dependent clause then you can use a comma to separate it from the independent clause. III: If I had studied, I would have passed the exam. So I think we can use them anyhow except for the meaning is communicated incorrectly, or reading and understanding get more difficult. Some conditional sentences refer to the general truths and others to hypothetical situations. Use a comma after a dependent clause at the beginning of a sentence. The descriptions in a sentence may be longer than one word. But Santa Clause is real! I think there are no concrete rules about using punctuation marks and all punctuation marks are to simplify reading and understanding the meaning of the writer. (Why so “tense”, Santa? When a word or phrase forms an introduction … Keep in mind, however, that many dependent clauses will be essential and will not require a comma. Conditional sentences are statements discussing known factors or hypothetical situations and their consequences. Consider the following sentences: However, if it is at the beginning of a dependent clause, you can skip the comma. The above are standard if/then clauses. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence: I watch movies.Two independent clauses can be joined with a conjunction: I watch movies and I watch television.A comma can be placed before the conjunction: I watch movies, and I watch television.So, should you use commas before conjunctions that connect two independent clauses? When it comes to using the word so, the rule of thumb is that if it begins your independent clause, there should be a comma. Commas should be placed before and after a non-essential element in the middle of a sentence II: If I studied, I would pass the exam. "If" is a subordinating conjunction introducing a subordinate clause, so it is separated from the main clause, the "then" clause, by an ensuing comma. Posts include a range of topics, from content tips and practical writing advice to the latest SEO and content distribution techniques. Rule: If the dependent clause comes first, you should use a comma. They are both punctuated correctly. If but is not joining two independent clauses, leave the comma out. These sentences state that one condition always results in the same outcome. It’s a judgment call, not a hard and fast rule. (2) Understanding when to offset an adverbial clause with commas. In other words, an event depends on the occurrence of the other event. Conditional clauses occur only when a condition is concerned. It turns out there is a pretty simple rule: If a subordinate clause comes before the clause it is attached to then it should be followed by a comma. This is used to refer to universal truths. However, this is quite an outdated practice, but you can use it if you think it makes your sentence structure clearer. Appositives act as synonyms for a … BUT, when the main clause comes first in the sentence, the comma (,) is not necessary. You’ve probably heard a lot of things about the comma and may have questions about when to use a comma. Conditional sentences are constructed using two clauses—the if (or unless) clause and the main clause. If you'd happily put your clause in brackets or delete it, then use commas because it must be non-essential. Conditional clauses consist of two sentences. When we use a dependent clause to modify the main idea expressed by an independent clause, we link them together, usually with the independent clause coming first and then followed by the dependent clause. Conditional clauses can also be used to talk about consequences, or to give an opinion about a situation in the following ways: The if-clause uses the present simple tense and the main clause uses the present simple tense. EnglishForward.com | The Internet's Largest Learn English Community | Commas with Conditional Sentences - Writing English. If the non-essential clause appears at the end of the sentence, you would only need one comma to set it apart from the rest of the sentence. Clauses and restrictive clauses Our blog is about content marketing and copywriting. IF CLAUSES / CONDITIONAL CLAUSES (Type 0) Sometimes the expected actions depends on a condition ( like if you hurry… or if you come…, etc). Notice how there is a comma after the verb rains which is the last part of the if-clause. Zero Conditionals are also known as Type 0 conditionals (general truth – general rule) A comma (,) "if' clause is usually a dependent clause." Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main clause. If a sentence is very long and complicated, however, a comma before a subordinating conjunction may be warranted. Example: When I went to the … Examples: If you lie, you're out. Oxford comma. . "If an independent clause follows a dependent clause then you can use a comma to separate it from the independent clause. (If) … Even when the statement drops the word then, a comma must be used. These clauses ARE offset with commas. We will cancel the trip if it rains. Santa Clause was real, he would bring me a new bike. For example: Note that the both clauses a… When subordinate clauses come at the end of the sentence, you don't use a comma. It is important to understand each because each conveys a different meaning. A missed comma after a subordinate clause is one of the most common mistakes that we see. Don ’ t use a comma if the if clause is at the end of the sentence. - Sooris. Shouldn’t it be: If Santa Clause (ha, ha) WERE real? The sentence can begin with an if clause or a main clause. According to The Chicago Manual of Style, “…a comma usually precedes the c… Example: I will visit the Tower if I go to London. When the if-clause comes first in the sentence, we put a comma (,) after it. By Geraldine Woods . Use a comma if the if clause is at the beginning of the sentence. Use a comma before the word but if it is joining two independent clauses: Cleo is a good singer but she’s an even better dancer. That makes WAS correct! Be careful, though: some subordinate conjunctions can also act in other roles. Non-essential, nonrestrictive clauses should be set off from the rest of the sentence with a set of commas. If I use correct punctuation, then I will include commas where necessary. © Constant Content (A Division of Moresby Media Inc.) 2020, Gary Vee’s Insights on Successful Social Media Marketing in 2020, Content Marketing Hacks: How to Revamp Old Content to Boost Your Google Rankings, The Future of Marketing: 5 Key Facts to Stay Ahead of the Game in 2020, Getting Audience Attention: Gary Vaynerchuk Marketing Hacks 2020, Gary Vee: Marketing in 2020—Why Volume of Content Matters. ~ Use a comma to separate the dependent clause from the independent when it follows the independent one if the dependent clause is nonessential. It refers to a general situation that always happen (for example in the rules of a game) if a condition is met. If Santa Clause was real, he would bring me a new bike. When a dependent clause begun by a subordinating conjunction comes before an independent clause, the comma after the dependent clause is not negotiable. see also: → Conditional Sentences Type I, II and III If the sentence begins with an ‘if clause’, put a comma between the if clause and the main clause. Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence. The adverbial clauses in these two sentences are identical, except one is offset with a comma and one isn't. He can only BRING me a new bike while he IS. If you do it right, you can have a cookie. May be that is the reason a comma is used there. But in your example sentences the first clause appears incomplete. If Hillary Clinton wins the election in 2008, then she will become the first female president. use a comma with a coordinating conjunction to separate two independent clauses ; use a comma to set-off non-essential elements such as a phrase or clause. The zero conditional uses the present simple in the if-clause and in the main clause. Hillary Clinton wins the election in 2008. she will become the first female president. That depends. Exercise. There are five types of conditional sentences. Complete conditional sentences contain a conditional clause (often referred to as the if-clause) and the consequence. The condition always has the same result. However, when a subordinate clause comes at the beginning of the sentence, you set it off with a comma. 1. Now I know that if you leave the "then" implied, that you still use a comma. "if' clause is usually a dependent clause. , But then he “would have brought me a new bike”. Practice in Punctuating Adjective Clauses . if clause main clause; I: If I study, I will pass the exam. Example: If I go to London, I will visit the Tower. If I use correct punctuation, then I will include commas where necessary. If an independent clause follows a dependent clause then you can use a comma to separate it from the independent clause. A dependent clause, unlike an independent clause, cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence. A nonessential phrase or clause can be lifted from a sentence with most of the meaning intact. Punctuation is an element of accuracy. Last year, PLC provided the material; and we, L&S Ltd, built the road. For instance, the word 'that' can also be a determiner, e.g. Using “Which” in a Restrictive Clause. Use a Comma After an Introductory Word or Phrase. “If” Clause Margie Wakeman Wells April 26, 2015 The Comma , Uncategorized Leave a Comment When the “if” clause at the end of the sentence is a modifier for a word in the main clause, there is no comma. Out the word then, a comma after an Introductory word or Phrase forms introduction. Where necessary t it be: if Santa clause was real, he would bring me a new bike one! 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