Prepositions are always followed by an object which is a noun. When you insert a comma before as, its meaning changes to “because.”. “Thus” can mean “in this way” or “like this.”. George cleaned the house as he listened to the radio. The next couple of sections will help you understand how to use a comma together with the adverb “instead.”. George clearly cleaned the house while he listened to the radio, not because he was listening to the radio. However, we do use a comma for the above when it’s written as an appositive. A comma would be necessary when we use instead as an introductory adverb at the beginning of the sentence. wherein two independent clauses are joined in one sentence. Even though the Oxford Comma is named after the Oxford University Press (who still use it), most Brits do not use an Oxford Comma. , and alternatively are adverbs that can be used to express other options or preferences. may function either as a transitive verb which basically means “to help”, and as a noun which means “a substitute”. More commonly, you will use it after a period or semicolon at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma, as a conjunctive adverb to contrast something from the previous sentence. However, this sentence structure may not be as common as placing it at the end. Again, please note the absence of commas right before or after instead of. Now, how about the preposition instead of? Meanwhile, as a preposition, an object needs to be placed after “of” which would always be any word acting as a noun and commas are not required at all. Hey fellow Linguaholics! A comma (,) My work background includes conservation work, such as prairie restoration and controlled burns. While commas aren’t required here, adding them doesn’t make the sentence incorrect. Misused semicolons and comma splices are two examples of the types of grammar mistakes that should be avoided. Again, when it is used as an adverb, you don’t use a comma. When it is used as an introductory adverb, a comma would be necessary but it has to be dropped when we put, Meanwhile, as a preposition, an object needs to be placed after. All we need to do is check is the word after it. This simple string of words contains a subject, verb and object. Knowing when a comma is needed with the word “thus” depends in part on which definition is used. On the other hand, no commas are needed if the sentence contains only one, The only time we may consider using commas with “. The only time we may consider using commas with “instead” is when it becomes a part of a serial list. After a subordinate clause—one that starts with a subordinating conjunction. “Instead” may also be paired with “of”, forming the prepositional phrase “instead of” — this case does not directly require commas either. Some common adverbs that denote options or preferences are rather, instead,  and alternatively. The combination of both will substantially increase our linguistic control over any language that we are trying to acquire. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not … However, we also have to remember that a noun may also look like a verb ending in -ing called a gerund. As a rule of thumb, if the phrase is longer than about four words, use the comma. Adding the comma did not change the meaning of any words in the sentence except for one: as. , we could go to Florida for a week-long vacation. The airfare for Hawaii is quite high this summer. Commas before as can be more tricky. Last summer, we went to Florida instead of Hawaii. which would always be any word acting as a noun and commas are not required at all. Well, more often than not, a comma does not come before this adverb, but it may come after it instead. Taking the word but for example, if it is being used to join two independent clauses together then there should be a comma before but. Commas can be tricky. Rather, instead, and alternatively are adverbs that can be used to express other options or preferences. Instead, we could go to Florida for a week-long vacation. In general, the comma shows that the words immediately before the comma are less closely or exclusively linked grammatically to those immediately after the comma than they might be otherwise. Although a comma is required when instead is used as an introductory adverb, this sentence structure is not as common as positioning it at the end. going to Hawaii, we could choose Florida. 1. (Notice how I used it as an adverb in the preceding sentence.) Add commas to the beginning and end of the nonrestrictive clause. We must not punctuate it with a comma when it appears at the end of the sentence. You actually wrote “so that” in your sentence but even if you had just written “so”, you would not need a comma because the “so” could be replaced by “so that.” I also believe that you do not need the comma after the initial phrase. However, they do not mean the same thing, and so it is important to know how the use of a comma changes the meaning of the sentence. To sum, we need not use commas before or after instead regardless of its role either as an adverb or preposition in a sentence. In sentences with the structure of our example, 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.”, So, the first sentence above, which contains no comma, can be rephrased as “George cleaned the house in the way that his wife had asked him to.”, The second sentence, which contains a comma, can be rephrased as “George cleaned the house because his wife had asked him to.”. An interrupter can be taken out of a sentence and the sentence will still retain its original meaning. Languages have always been my passion and I have studied Linguistics, Computational Linguistics and Sinology at the University of Zurich. When an adverbial clause ends a sentence, a comma isn't used because the subordinate conjunction (in this case, as) provides the necessary link to the main clause: The sales report is important as we want to monitor sales. It is also an independent clause. However, when an adverbial clause begins a sentence, you must use a comma: As we want to monitor sales, the … Last summer, we went to Florida instead of going to Hawaii. The megaproject went billions of dollars over budget, as the cost of cement was unexpectedly increased. You can also use a comma with a shorter phrase when you want to emphasize it or add a pause for literary effect. Note that such as should not be separated from the list of examples that follows it. If you don’t feel you need it, leave it out. Instead of going to Hawaii, we could choose Florida. A comma would only be necessary at the end of a dependent clause which is positioned at the beginning of the sentence. Commas before or after conjunctions. Here are a few more example sentences using the prepositional function. functions as a preposition of time (in August)  and place (in Detroit). The comma is omitted in the first example and is included in the second. going to the beach, we could go camping this summer. Use a comma with “As” as a conjunction. Only use a comma to separate 'as well as' in a sentence if it is used as a non-restrictive clause, or one that does not change the sentence's meaning if removed. No comma after such as. these words are used differently in sentences. In many sentences, if there is no comma before. On the other hand, no commas are needed if the sentence contains only one independent clause. The only time you’ll need a comma after but is when you add an “interrupter” right after it. This means use a comma after a participial phrase, an absolute phrase, an infinitive phrase, and a prepositional phrase. is used as an introductory adverb, this sentence structure is not as common as positioning it at the end. Example: My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew. Use a Comma After an Introductory Word or Phrase. Do use a comma when “as” can be substituted with “because”. Restrictive ⇒Don’t Use a Comma Non-restrictive ⇒ Use a Comma Incorrect: We could have gone to Hawaii, instead we went to Florida. See the examples below. In many sentences, if there is no comma before as, then as means “in the way that” or “while.”. As a conjunction, “as” is equivalent to “because”. Some say it is no longer to be used, but some say it is. The comma performs a number of functions in English writing. Both of these examples are grammatical. Or to separate days of the … Read more about the Oxford Comma. Finally, the only instance necessitating commas around, Evening: A Frustratingly Vague Period of Time, “Safe Travels”: Meaning, Usage & Examples. George cleaned the house, as he listened to the radio. And commas often accompany a conjunction , which is a word that connects phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., and , because , but , and however ) or any other words or expressions that provide a similar function (e.g., in any case ) . Rule 1. which is supposed to be written either at the beginning or at the end of a sentence. Note that, for certain sentences, there is only one correct decision regarding the use of a comma based on the context. When you start a sentence with adverbs such as however, therefore, furthermore, or moreover, there is always a comma after the adverb. Some function as adjectives. regardless of its role either as an adverb or preposition in a sentence. The adverb “instead” is equivalent to saying “alternatively” which is supposed to be written either at the beginning or at the end of a sentence. punctuate it with a comma when it appears at the end of the sentence. One way to improve writing intricacy is to efficiently make use of punctuations in sentences. Compare that one with another one. 1. Although a comma is required when instead is used as an introductory adverb, this sentence structure is not as common as positioning it at the end. On the flip side, no post-comma is attached when it acts as a general adverb premodifying a verb, adjective, or … Instead of going to the beach, we could go camping this summer. We can join the two clauses with a conjun… The modifier such as street, avenue, and road is essential to the meaning of the sentence: it restricts the general term words to a specific type of word. The position of a comma can often reflect the sense in which the word is being used. The comma before a conjunction in a list is known as an an Oxford Comma or a serial comma. I am the proud owner of linguaholic.com. is when it becomes a part of a serial list. A Final Writing Tip Since the airfare for Hawaii is quite high this summer, we could go to Florida instead. Using a Comma after a Fronted Adjective Phrase or Clause Not every phrase or clause that appears at the front of a sentence is an adverbial one. To sum, we need not use commas before or after. Use a comma in your dates to separate date and year. It is not advisable to situate instead in the middle of the sentence because it would incorrectly function as a conjunction. After a time phrase that comes before a sentence or independent clause. Like because, as can be used as a conjunction or as an adverb. Instead is morphologically formed by a process known as compounding–the combination of free morphemes to create a new meaning. So unless you’re a teacher trying to explain adverbs and prepositions in detail, then the juice is not worth the squeeze. Putting a comma before as in this sentence is a mistake. Being a free morpheme, the word “in” may fall into four different parts of speech–noun, adverb, adjective, and preposition–depending on how it is used in a sentence. The only exception is when we place an interrupter. It can stand on its own without adding another word. However, we also have to remember that a noun may also look like a verb ending in, Again, please note the absence of commas right before or after. © Linguaholic 2020 | Iseli International Commerce | Privacy Policy | Contact | About Us, The next couple of sections will help you understand how to use a, However, this sentence structure may not be as common as placing it at the end. “Rather” is a super word. A writing tip on when to use commas with such as. Let’s start simple. Posted on Published: October 12, 2020 Categories English. Other times, the comma is optional, and there are also times when a comma should not be used. On the other hand, if removing the phrase does nothing to the meaning of the sentence, and it still makes sense, then the phrase is non-restrictive and a comma should be used. When it is used as an introductory adverb, a comma would be necessary but it has to be dropped when we put instead at the end of the sentence. When an adverbial phrase begins a sentence, it’s often followed by a comma but it doesn’t have to be, especially if it’s short. Another highly recommended skill is the ability to employ lexical alternatives whenever applicable. Comma before or after “thus”: The Definitive Guide. may fall into four different parts of speech–noun, adverb, adjective, and preposition–depending on how it is used in a sentence. If you are a human, do not fill in this field. which means “as an alternative or substitute” to something. Appositives act as synonyms for a … If removing the phrase would change the meaning of the sentence, then it is restrictive and a comma should not be used. in the sentence’s tail part since native speakers structure their speech and writing this way. 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). After all, you know what a comma is: the punctuation used to mark a division in a sentence, like the separation of words, phrases, a clause, or a sequence. As with many comma related questions, the answer depends on whether the phrase in question is restrictive or non-restrictive. After an initial/introductory adverb that modifies a whole sentence or independent clause. While this error is not uncommon in oral speech and informal writing, it is still advantageous to know its more appropriate usage. We could go to Florida instead of going to Hawaii. You’ve probably heard a lot of things about the comma and may have questions about when to use a comma. The airfare for Hawaii is quite high this summer. Commas almost always follow phrases at the beginning of sentences; use the comma to separate the phrase from the independent clause. It is also a complete sentence and an independent clause even though it doesn’t have an object as in the first example. You can use “rather” after a comma if you’re using it as a parenthetical interrupter. It can also have the same meaning as the words “consequently,” “therefore,” and “as a result of.”. We could also remove the gerund to further simplify the sentence. As a result, it should not be set off by commas. No comma needed. 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). 7. Some common adverbs that denote options or preferences are rather, Although having a similar intent which is to denote the meaning “. Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence. Read more about commas in lists. On the other hand, “stead” may function either as a transitive verb which basically means “to help”, and as a noun which means “a substitute”. Use a comma after a dependent clause at the beginning of a sentence. Writers tend to make this mistake when forming … For example: Imbued with common sense, Mark is a great choice for the role. A comma after “apparently” is used when it acts as a sentence-initial disjunct and when it is used as the last word either in an introductory expression or parenthetical statement. Writers tend to make this mistake when forming sentences in which as separates two independent clauses. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. Leave a comment. Yes, the sentence above still makes sense. For even more information about the comma and other punctuation marks, I recommend the following books, which are available on Amazon. Therefore, it is highly recommended to attach it at the end of the sentence to sound more natural. Or add a pause for literary effect dates to separate date and year used it as an! Is longer than about four words, use the comma and other punctuation marks, I recommend the following,. 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