Do you use commas in Chicago style?
Chicago says commas aren’t needed with “not only . . . but also” constructions but are needed between two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.
Do you use the Oxford comma in Chicago style?
Chicago has a few rules about commas that are easy to overlook. The most important is that Chicago “strongly recommends” using a serial (or Oxford) comma for lists of three or more items.
Does Chicago have a comma before and?
The serial comma is the one before and, or, or nor at the end of a series of three or more items. It’s the comma after b in “a, b, and c”—and, incidentally, the comma after the first or in the previous sentence. Most book publishers (and their editors) swear by it, and CMOS requires it.
What are the 8 rules for commas?
Commas (Eight Basic Uses)
Do you always put a comma before and?
Whether or not you put a comma before and depends on how you’re using and. There’s no single rule that applies to all situations. You usually put a comma before and when it’s connecting two independent clauses. It’s almost always optional to put a comma before and in a list.
Should I put a comma before or?
Should you use a comma before or? The answer depends on how you are using or. Always place a comma before or when it begins an independent clause, but if it begins a dependent clause, don’t. In a series (or list) of three or more items, you can use a comma before or, but this is a preference, not a rule.
What is the difference between an Oxford comma and a regular comma?
The main difference between Oxford comma and comma is that an Oxford comma refers to a comma that usually comes before the final conjunction of a sentence, while a regular comma is a punctuation mark that depicts the divisions in a particular sentence.
Why is the Oxford comma so controversial?
The Oxford Comma Debate
As far as I can tell, the main argument against using the Oxford comma is that it’s somehow easier to not insert a comma at the end of a list of three or more items. Let’s look at this example: We invited my parents, Thomas and Nancy.
When should a comma not be used?
9. Don’t use commas when you are ending a sentence with an exclamation point or question mark.
How do I know when to use a comma?
Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. Example: I love vanilla ice cream, but my brother prefers chocolate. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.
How do you use commas correctly?
Comma Use
- 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 commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.
Does comma always go after but?
Do You Need a Comma After But? If you’re wondering whether you need a comma after but, the answer is that you probably don’t. The only time you need a comma after but is when it is immediately followed by an interrupter.
Does comma come before or after but?
Does a comma go before or after and?
In English, you must put a comma before “and” when it connects two independent clauses. A clause is independent when it could stand on its own as a sentence—it has its own subject and verb. Example: Comma before “and” connecting two independent clauses Jagmeet walks to school, and Rebecca takes the bus.
Why was the Oxford comma removed?
The serial comma, dubbed the Oxford comma because of its use by writers and editors based at the University of Oxford, had been waning in popularity. For example, most journalists in Canada and the U.S. who follow the AP or CP stylebooks do not use it.
When should you not use an Oxford comma?
Use of the Oxford comma is stylistic, meaning that some style guides demand its use while others don’t. AP Style—the style guide that newspaper reporters adhere to—does not require the use of the Oxford comma. The sentence above written in AP style would look like this: Please bring me a pencil, eraser and notebook.
What are the 4 types of commas?
There are four types of comma: the listing comma, the joining comma, the gapping comma and bracketing commas.
What example would not use a comma?
Example: John is tall so he ducks when entering rooms. Note: When the same subject is doing both actions (a compound verb but not a compound sentence), do not use a comma. Example: She skips and runs down the sidewalk.
What are the 5 Rules of commas?
When to use commas: 5 rules and examples
- Use a comma to separate anything before an independent clause.
- Use a comma to separate independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions.
- Use a comma to separate all non-essential information.
- Do not use a comma to separate essential information.
Is there a comma before but also?
“Not only… but also” can be used to connect either nouns or clauses. When it connects nouns, you never use commas, but when connecting clauses that are complete sentences, you use a comma to separate them. My favorite food is not only lobster but also scallops and shrimp.
Do commas always go before but?
When Do You Need a Comma Before But? You should put a comma before but only when but is connecting two independent clauses. I would go for a walk, but it’s raining outside.
Is it OK to use the Oxford comma?
Are Oxford commas grammatically correct? Contrary to what most students believe, the Oxford comma isn’t grammatically correct. But that doesn’t mean it’s wrong to use it. Instead, it’s grammatically optional.
How do you know where to put a comma?
Comma Rules
- 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 commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.
How do you know when to put a comma?