Comma thread portal with info, key word links and topic sentences

[Comma use]

17.1 COMMA AFTER INTRODUCTORY PHRASE (HEADED BY PREPOSITION)

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General discussions

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Comma after introductory phrase: is it necessary? Link
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Comma after introductory phrase: is it not necessary? Link
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Comma after introductory phrase: can it be omitted? Link
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Comma after introductory phrase: have rules changed since 19th century? Link
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Key word link

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Comma introductory phrase
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[Comma use]

17.2 COMMA WITH TWO INTRODUCTORY PHRASES

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Key word link: comma phrases

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Outside, in the crisp winter night, nothing moved. Link
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In addition, by the end of the century, the situation improved. Link
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In Sun City, at the end of the day, everybody used to get together to celebrate the summer. Link
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By contrast, in the United States, cheap gas, massive highway investment, policies that favor construction on the edges of cities, and heavy reliance on property taxes to fund public schools have encouraged much more car-reliant and spread-out urban areas, where eight in ten Americans now live. Link
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[Comma use]

17.3 COMMA WITH ABOUT

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Key word link: comma about

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I read his new book, about Darwin's theory of natural selection. Link
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[Comma use]

17.4 COMMA WITH AFTER

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Key word link: comma preposition after

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Not long after his breakfast, he phoned her. Link
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After the experimental discovery of this Lamb shift, quantum field theorists calculated it. Link
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Verify that, after clicking the “Save settings” button on the folder settings page, the window is refreshed and the new titles are displayed. Link
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[Comma use]

17.5 COMMA WITH AMONG

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Key word link: comma among

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Among non-instrumental factors, the intensity of the reflected laser beam is of great importance since the range... Link
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[Comma use]

17.6 COMMA WITH AT

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Key word link: comma at

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At the time of your arrival I got caught in a cruel traffic jam. Link
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[Comma use]

17.7 COMMA WITH BETWEEN

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Key word link: comma between

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Between 1944 and 1951, there was a huge increase in oil-related revenues. Link
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[Comma use]

17.8 COMMA WITH BY

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Key word link: comma by

Before by

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Purpose, then, justifies the efforts it exacts only conditionally, by their fruits. Link
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It is our goal to develop a scientific passion in our students, by showing them that science can be an enjoyable experience. Link
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He also responds to those critics who argue that life materials are mere discoveries of nature and cannot therefore be patented, by blurring the distinction between discovery and invention. Link
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It aims to provide an international forum for exchange of ideas and findings from researchers across different cultures, by encouraging research on the impact of cultural factors on design theory and practice. Link
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After phrase introduced by by

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By (the fact, the truth) A, we know that B is also true. Link
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By telling her the truth about your father I didn't reveal a secret. Link
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[Comma use]

17.9 COMMA WITH DESPITE

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Key word link: comma despite

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On the other hand, if...this would also exclude Turkey, despite the fact that Islam is already within Europe as a second major religion after Christianity. Link
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[Comma use]

17.10 COMMA WITH DURING

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Key word link: comma during

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I lived in Seoul for two years during which I enjoyed the city. Link
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During the visit, the paperwork was thoroughly reviewed and archived. Link
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[Comma use]

17.11 COMMA WITH FOR

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Key word link: comma for

With for as preposition

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I didn't go out, for her not to be alone. Link
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The taxi driver pulled up and said he'd be glad to take us to London, for which we would pay a hefty sum. Link
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This model of an ideal community is exactly what communist ideologists are striving for for the last few hundred years. Link
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This chapter explains how to borrow new, midlist, well-known, and popular Nook e-book titles, from a diverse range of genres, for free from your local library. Link
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With for as conjunction

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John did not go to school today, for he was sick. Link
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It seemed that Professor McGonagall had reached the point she was most anxious to discuss, the real reason she had been waiting on a cold hard wall all day, for neither as a cat nor as a woman had she fixed Dumbledore with such a piercing stare as she did now. Link
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After phrase or clause introduced by for

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For an extra ten percent, attractiveness of the appearance was important. Link
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[Comma use]

17.12 COMMA WITH FROM

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Key word link: comma from

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This chapter explains how to borrow new, midlist, well-known, and popular Nook e-book titles, from a diverse range of genres, for free from your local library. Link
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[Comma use]

17.13 COMMA WITH IN

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Key word link: comma in

Before in

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We went to Hokkaido, in Japan. Link
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I can't think of a sentence in which a problem like this would occur. Link
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After phrase introduced by in

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In 2001, terrorists destroyed the WTC. Link
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In England, people are kind and hospitable. Link
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In this article, a novel method is discussed... Link
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In many respects this is an important decision. Link
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In the second quarter, the Chinese economy grew by 7.9%Link
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In the present work, different methods of introduction of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers to cement matrix were undertaken. Link
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[Comma use]

17.14 COMMA WITH INCLUDING

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Key word link: comma including

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...and the answer to this age-old question is everywhere including our brains. Link
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However, women in the play, including Lady Macbeth and the three witches serve as sources of destruction and evil, particularly for Macbeth. Link
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[Comma use]

17.15 COMMA WITH INTO

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Key word link: comma into

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A liquid filters through a strainer, into the receptacle beneath. Link
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[Comma use]

17.16 COMMA WITH OF

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Key word link: comma of

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John told the police that the woman, of about 50 years of age, spoke with a slight lisp. Link
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Born in Bonn, of the Electorate of Cologne and a part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation in present-day Germany, he moved to Vienna in his early twenties and settled there, studying with Joseph Haydn and quickly gaining a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. Link
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[Comma use]

17.17 COMMA WITH ON

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Key word link: comma on

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Who are you putting, on the special report? Link
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In nearly every political category, landline-only owners side with traditionally conservative views, on issues as varied as the legality of gay marriage, marijuana, abortion and agreement with the Tea Party. Link
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[Comma use]

17.18 COMMA WITH OVER

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Key word link: comma over

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Over the course of my career, I have held increasingly responsible software development roles including systems analyst, business analyst, and project manager. Link
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[Comma use]

17.19 COMMA WITH PER

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Key word link: comma per

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The child is not permitted to attend the party, per her mother. Link
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[Comma use]

17.20 COMMA WITH TO

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Key word link: comma to
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With to as preposition

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I didn't go out, to study for my exam. Link
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I pushed him, to make him get out of my way. Link
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Zimbabwe indigenizes its agriculture and economy; Ethiopia intervenes militarily in Somalia at the behest of Washington, to restore a US-puppet government. Link
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I can say candidly that I have never been so desperately in love with someone as I have with you, to the point that my strong feelings of longing verged upon a form of grief! Link
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With to as particle (infinitive marker)

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Alan and Will were authorized to, acting jointly or individually any of the two, certify the act. Link
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[Comma use]

17.21 COMMA WITH WITH

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Key word link: comma with

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They were proud to appear in skirts that reached only to the knees and with trousers like men's underneath. Link
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I bought a new pitcher, with a very strange handle. Link
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Yossarian was in the hospital with a pain in his liver that fell just short of being jaundice. Link
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The boss may say, "We will sell 10,000 units a week," and the salesman follows with, "And pigs will fly." Link
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[Comma use]

17.22 COMMA WITH WITHOUT

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Key word link: comma without

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He did this independently, without me asking. Link
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B’s claim would require one to accept that in the same work S. used, without any caveat, the key notion of epochê in two incompatible senses. Link
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[Comma use]

18. COMMA WITH QUOTATION MARK

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Key word link: comma quotation

A quotation is the repetition of someone's words. Quotation marks, also called quotes or inverted commas, are punctuation marks used to indicate a quotation or direct speech.

Quotation marks are also used to (1) denote inexact use of a term, e.g. A "statue" on the promenade had the tourists in stitches; (2) denote the mention aspect of a term, e.g. I know the definition of 'cheese'; and (3) to indicate a title of artistic work.

A nested quotation is a quotation within another quotation, e.g. John said, "My mother said, 'Don't eat that,' so I didn't."

For more information about quotation marks, see Wiki articles Quotation mark, Nested quotation and Use-mention distinction.

Below are further key word links and links to specific threads on Comma with quotation mark. Clicking a key word link returns a list of those threads along with related and more recent threads.

 

[Comma use]

18.1 COMMA WITH DIRECT SPEECH OR QUOTATION

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Key word link: comma direct speech

Before direct speech/quotation
comma before direct speech

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She finally told me, “I love you”! Link
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The boss may say, "We will sell 10,000 units a week," and the salesman follows with, "And pigs will fly." Link
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Maybe a better way to say it would be, "It's what you do with your time." Link
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John Smith argues that, “Such claims are inaccurate..." Link
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Mr. Kershner says, You should know how to use a comma. Link
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The utterance, “I thought you said you'd have a drink with me…” might have been seen as encouragement. Link
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After direct speech/quotation
comma after direct speech

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When Victor said, “Please make sure you close the door when you leave”, Tom accidentally forgot to close it. Link
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"It should be noted that no evidence of foul play has been found," the medical examiner's office said in a statement. Link
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"I am sure that she is the killer," said Pauly. Link
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When Lisa said, "I'm in the Spirit," she meant she was experiencing spiritual enlightenment. Link
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After question mark
comma question mark

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'What's in it?', asked the policeman. Link
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'Will you go back to Word of Life camp?' asked the camp counselor. Link
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What Goto could have done is laugh and say, "Ah ha ha ha ha... isn't everybody?", something like that. Link
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But before I found out it's a Japanese word, if someone asked me, "Where does it come from?", I would have guessed Spanish. Link
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If you hear someone say, "What's cooking downtown this Saturday night?", it means that the person wants to know about events like concerts that will be taking place that evening. Link
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Regarding the question “How do HIV patients feel these days?”, he said... Link
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After ellipsis
comma ellipsis

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"I am sure that she is the killer...," said Pauly. Link
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After period
comma period, comma full stop

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'Just some clothes.' , replied the man. Link
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After nested quotation
comma nested quotation

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"He walked by and yelled, 'What's the chicken!,' but I still don't know what he meant." Link
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When Jonas said, "I don't like being called 'a schlimazel'," he meant it. Link
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[Comma use]

18.2 COMMA WITH QUOTATION MARK DENOTING INEXACT USE OR THE MENTION ASPECT

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Key word link: comma quotation phrase

Before expression
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The phrase, "make something of oneself" means... Link
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After expression

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It was 'magic,' and I liked it. Link
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Speaking of not being "at the level", there a lot of talented people at DeviantArt! Link
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The competitors were described as “adjective,” “adjective,” and “adjective”. Link
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The first factor accounted for 26% of the variance and has high saturations on the variables of 'value,' 'elaboration,' 'innovation,' 'relation to context,' and 'consideration of initial problem constraints.' Link
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My name is Abc Cde Fgh; my first name originates in Arabia and it means "The call for God", my middle name originally Greek and it means "Of happy birth". Link
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With abbreviation
comma abbreviation

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The abbreviations "i.e." "e.g." "a.m.," and "p.m."... Link
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[Comma use]

18.3 COMMA WITH QUOTATION MARK INDICATING TITLE OF ARTISTIC WORK

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Key word link: comma title; see also section 6.3 Comma with name, title, designation or verb phrase in apposition

After title

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My favorite Led Zeppelin songs are “Stairway to Heaven”, “Black Dog”, and “Moby Dick”. Link
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Of course, the most important and specific articles we deal with are the articles on economics and business, such as that of “CEOs,” by David Knott, “The European Investment Bank,” by Michael Gaylord, or “Bold Plans for Japan” by Jess Trindle. Link
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After question mark in title

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The weekly book, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", is on sale. Link
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According to Michael Davidson's article "What is art?", art is like a quiet pond. Link
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On a different “Today” panel on Tuesday, called “Secret Lives: Does Power Equal Promiscuity?,” Ms. Matos McGreevey argued that blaming wives for their husbands' infidelities... Link
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[Comma use]

19. COMMA WITH RELATIVE PRONOUN

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Key word link: comma relative pronoun

A relative pronoun is a pronoun that introduces a clause that modifies the antecedent of the relative pronoun, e.g. Lisa waved at Nancy, who was laughing joyously.

A zero relative pronoun is a relative pronoun that is only implied, e.g. The truth is [Ø] they don't realize their mistakes.

That, which, who, whom and whose count as relative pronouns. That is also a complementizer (a kind of subordinate conjunction), e.g. I am embarrassed to admit that there was a delay. When the complementizer is not explicit, it is called an empty complementizer.

A relative clause can be either restrictive (without comma/commas) or non-restrictive (with comma/commas). Cf. I have two brothers who live in London. I have two brothers, who live in London. A restrictive clause cannot be removed from a sentence without loss of essential meaning; the opposite is true for a non-restrictive clause.

For more information about relative pronouns, see Wiki articles Relative pronoun, Restrictiveness, Zero clause and That.

Below are further key word links and links to specific threads on Comma with relative pronoun. Clicking a key word link returns a list of those threads along with related and more recent threads.

 

[Comma use]

19.1 COMMA WITH RELATIVE PRONOUN: GENERAL DISCUSSION

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When is a comma used before a relative pronoun? Link
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[Comma use]

19.2 COMMA WITH THAT

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Key word link: comma that

With that as relative pronoun
comma relative pronoun that

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I always have this problem, that it goes wrong... Link
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The watch, that is on the table, belongs to my brother. Link
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It saddened him that everyone else seemed to get along, that he was the only one not fitting in. Link
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The spirits were perceived as friendly helpers or power animals, that would assist the seeker with answering important questions. Link
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The new interim agreement will replace a deal struck down by the European Court of Justice in May, that allowed the US access to 34 pieces of data. Link
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Arnie rejected the pleas for mercy, that commonly surround capital punishment in America, saying Beardslee was fully aware of how serious his crimes were. Link
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The Law Society previously rejected a petition on Jan 5, filed by 44 lawyers, that had called for an extraordinary meeting to revoke the new travel policy. Link
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Even so, it was only in Wordsworth's Lyrical Ballads (1798), that the notion of expressing experience through the filter of personal emotion was first seriously ventilated. Link
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With that as complementizer (also as empty complementizer)
comma conjunction that

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I came to know, you got stuck in traffic. Link
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It was such a hot day, I went to the pool. Link
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The student’s room was so untidy it was like a pigsty. Link
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I am embarrassed to admit that, through a clerical error, there was a very long delay in sending this note to you. Link
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Before that as zero relative pronoun
comma zero pronoun

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The truth is they don't even realize their mistakes. Link
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There is absolutely no limit to the bliss nature can offer. Link
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Workers will be limited in tapping their 401(k) retirement plans for loans under legislation two senators plan to introduce today that’s designed to counter the erosion of retirement assets. Link
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After phrase introduced by that

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That night Sarah had a vivid nightmare, the first one she had ever had. Link
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[Comma use]

19.3 COMMA WITH WHICH

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Key word link: comma which

Before which as relative pronoun
comma relative pronoun which

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I saw Mt Fuji, which is 3776m high. Link
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I bought a baseball cap, which was too large for me. Link
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John told me something about Mary which I do not believe. Link
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...driving my jaw into the steering wheel, which promptly broke in half. Link
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Some countries do not have enough skilled workers, which causes serious problems. Link
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I have had a number of summer jobs, which have helped me to gain experience in secretarial skills. Link
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Many of his novels are concerned with controversial subjects which makes them extremely popular. Link
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There are few other kinds of frogs kept inside separate glass tubes, which are placed on top of the table. Link
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The employee made a lot of mistakes during his first month of employment which made the company to fire him. Link
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Divergent capabilities for marketing departments result in different outcomes, which lead to a competitively difference. Link
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Today the Gillette Good News razor dominates the disposable category, which has grown to dominate the razor blade business. Link
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One dramatic example is the Industrial Revolution, which would surely have been impossible without the development of science. Link
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The white sauce recipe is easy to make as there is no need to cook out the flour, which is one of the benefits of using gluten-free flour. Link
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I grew up and currently live in the greater Portland area which has provided many opportunities to speak Spanish in my own community. Link
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These four fields have apparently little in common, yet my interest in each represents a continuous thread which is my interest in community health. Link
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Before and after which
comma before after which

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...the event, which, because of its importance, attracts many visitors. Link
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Before and after clause introduced by which

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The dogs, which are brown, are mine. Link
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The mango trees, which were given some of that new fertiliser, produced very good fruit. Link
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Before which as interrogative pronoun
comma which interrogative

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I also doubt that many consumers even know, which special products or companies have received an industrial design award. Link
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Before noun phrase + of which (cf. whose)
comma of which

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I have bought a book, the cover of which bears a picture of The Hague. Link
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Comma or period before which?
comma period which

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They would have played tentatively, which in hockey is a sacrilege. Link
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Which noun is the antecedent?

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I just had a plate of soup at the campus restaurant, which was good. Link
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Insulin is a hormone produced in pancreas, which turns this glucose into energy by enabling the body cells to absorb it. Link
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Every now and again she’d wipe the tears away with the sleeve of her grey merino wool cardigan which turned the fabric into a dampened shade of black. Link
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Discourse analysis deals with such aspects as pronoun reference, use of articles, ellipses, and logical connectors, which may indicate the connectivity of the text. Link
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[Comma use]

19.4 COMMA WITH WHO

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Key word link: comma who

Before who as relative pronoun
comma relative pronoun who

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She's a party animal, who enjoys life. Link
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She has three sons, who live in Paris. Link
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I have two brothers, who live in London. Link
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Where is James, who was waiting for me? Link
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Lisa waved at Nancy, who was laughing joyously. Link
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Dr. Curtis Connors who's also my daughters mentor. Link
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Sunny was a very greedy boy, who loved to eat fried food. Link
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I am an Iowa native who's come home to help on the farm. Link
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I would like to thank John and Susan who were always willing to help. Link
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Before and after clause introduced by who

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I, who am lazy, don't like sports. Link
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I would like to see Hayley, who is my best friend, playing basketball. Link
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The people, who are chasing him, stop in between the crowd as they don't see him. Link
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Which noun is the antecedent?

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Some senior citizens didn't have to pay any for their insurance because they were listed as dependents of one of their adult children, who would need to pay a certain amount in proportion to their income such as pension, interest or dividends. Link
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[Comma use]

19.5 COMMA WITH WHOM

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Key word link: comma whom

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My father, beside whom my mom was sitting, was watching TV. Link
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My elder sister, to whom they gave first prize, doesn't usually win anything. Link
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[Comma use]

19.6 COMMA WITH WHOSE

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Key word link: comma whose

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I would like to thank John Smith whose paintings provided the inspiration for this novel. Link
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