Can you use commas instead of parentheses? Commas and parentheses are often used together, but they serve separate purposes within a sentence. Thus, commas should be used with parentheses only if the sentence would require a comma without the parentheses . The example below illustrates this point: Peter cleaned his room before going out to play basketball.
What can I use instead of parentheses?
Em dashes are often used to set off parenthetical information. Using em dashes instead of parentheses puts the focus on the information between the em dashes. For this usage, make sure you use two em dashes. Use one before the parenthetical information and one after it.
What is the difference between commas dashes and parentheses?
In general, you can think of parentheses, commas, and dashes as a continuum of marks. Parentheses are the quiet whisper of an aside, commas are the conversational voice of a friend walking by your desk, and dashes are the yowl of a pirate dashing into a fray .
Where do you use commas?
What is the floating comma called?
This final comma, known as an Oxford or serial comma , is useful in a complex series of elements or phrases but is often considered unnecessary in a simple series such as in the example above. It usually comes down to a style choice by the writer. The semicolon (;) is used to connect independent clauses.
What is the difference between a commas and brackets?
Commas make for a normal-looking sentence, but commas can be confused with other commas in the sentence. Using Parentheses (Brackets): Your parenthesis will be easily seen, but brackets can make official correspondence look a little unorganized .
Is the Oxford comma?
The Oxford comma is the comma placed before the conjunction at the end of a list of things . For example, in “the flag was red, white, and blue”, the Oxford comma would be the one appearing before “and”. Proponents of the Oxford comma say it’s necessary for removing ambiguity in sentences.
What does two commas mean in texting?
(slang) A million; millions .
What are the 8 rules for commas?
- Use a comma to separate independent clauses. ...
- Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase. ...
- Use a comma between all items in a series. ...
- Use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses. ...
- Use a comma to set off appositives. ...
- Use a comma to indicate direct address. ...
- Use commas to set off direct quotations.
What are the 5 Rules of commas?
- Use a comma after an introductory phrase or clause. ...
- Use commas before and after a parenthetical phrase or clause. ...
- Use a comma to separate two independent clauses linked by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor or, so, yet) ...
- Use a comma to separate items in a series.
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 is A ?! Called?
What Is an Interrobang? An interrobang (sometimes called an interabang or exclamation question mark ) is a nonstandard double punctuation mark that combines the glyphs and functions of the question mark and exclamation point. The glyph for an interrobang is ‽, but you can also write it as !?, ?!, or ?!?
Is a comma splice wrong?
It is incorrect to join two independent clauses with a comma . This error is called a comma splice.
What is a gapping comma?
The gapping comma is very easy. We use a gapping comma to show that one or more words have been left out when the missing words would simply repeat the words already used earlier in the same sentence .
Why are parentheses rather than dashes or commas used in this sentence?
Parentheses also signify a break in thought, but they mark an addition of information rather than an interruption like dashes do . Rather than a surprise (like dashes), parentheses are a gentler insertion in your sentence. Also like dashes, parentheses should be used sparingly.
How do you know whether something should be in brackets or paired commas rather than just forming part of the flow of the sentence?
The rule is this: a pair of bracketing commas is used to mark off a weak interruption of the sentence — that is, an interruption which does not disturb the smooth flow of the sentence.
What is a serial comma example?
The Oxford (or serial) comma is the final comma in a list of things. For example: Please bring me a pencil, eraser, and notebook . The Oxford comma comes right after eraser. Use of the Oxford comma is stylistic, meaning that some style guides demand its use while others don’t.
Why do people put 3 commas?
It is online slang, generally used to indicate a more emphasized trail-off , somewhat like a mixture between an ellipsis and comma, like you’d hear after saying “anyhow”.
Why do people put commas instead of periods?
Commas, just by not being periods, call more attention to themselves, which conveys to the reader that something else is going on .
Can I use a comma instead of a period?
It does have both a subject (“I”) and a verb (“am”), but the word “although” makes the reader expect more information. Therefore, we need to use a comma instead of a period : Although I am very hungry, I cannot eat until I get off work. Commas are also needed in lists.
Do I need commas in this sentence?
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, nor, yet, so) that connects two complete sentences (independent clauses) . Use a comma after an introductory element (like a dependent clause or a long phrase) to make the sentence easier to read.
Do I need a comma check?
To check commas, never use it before or after your series . When the items are linked by ‘or, nor or and,’ do not use a comma. Use it when denoting the use of at least two adjectives, which modify a noun independently.
Is it correct to use a comma after Happy birthday?
Do we need a comma after “Happy birthday?” Generally, yes, we do need a comma after writing or typing “Happy birthday” when the message is directly intended for a specific person, a pet, a plant, and so on.
What are the 6 types of commas?
- Put a comma before for, and, not, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS), when they connect two. ...
- Put a comma after an introductory expression that doesn’t flow smoothly into the. ...
- Put a comma between items in a series. ...
- Put commas around an expression that interrupts the flow of the sentence (such as.
Can you put 2 commas in a sentence?
Use two commas, not one, to set off a nonrestrictive clause in the middle of a sentence . Incorrect: The city, a polyglot of different races and religions provided many opportunities for cultural exchange. Correct: The city, a polyglot of different races and religions, provided many opportunities for cultural exchange.
What are parenthetical phrases?
In essence, a parenthetical is just a phrase that is not essential to the rest of the sentence . However, just because it isn’t essential does not mean that it isn’t important. When used correctly, a parenthetical can add crucial new information to a sentence without disrupting the flow.
What are the 14 punctuation marks?
There are 14 punctuation marks that are used in the English language. They are: the period, question mark, exclamation point, comma, colon, semicolon, dash, hyphen, brackets, braces, parentheses, apostrophe, quotation mark, and ellipsis .
What does ?! Mean in text?
(often represented by ?!, !?, ?!? or !?!), is an unconventional punctuation mark used in various written languages and intended to combine the functions of the question mark, or interrogative point; and the exclamation mark, or exclamation point, known in the jargon of printers and programmers as a “bang”.
Can you have a question mark and an exclamation mark together?
Are Interrobangs grammatically correct?
As mentioned above, the interrobang [ ] is made by combining two end marks: the question mark and the exclamation mark. It is a non-standard punctuation mark and signifies an exclamatory sentence that is a question.
Why do writers use comma splice?
In written English usage, a comma splice or comma fault is the use of a comma to join two independent clauses . For example: It is nearly half past five, we cannot reach town before dark. The comma splice is sometimes used in literary writing to convey a particular mood of informality.
What are examples of comma splice?
What is an upper comma called?
The serial comma is also known as the Oxford comma, Harvard comma, or series comma . Although less common in British English, its usage occurs within both American and British English. It is called the Oxford comma because of its long history of use by Oxford University Press.
How do you get rid of parentheses in math?
What are the different types of parentheses?
parentheses or “round brackets” ( ) “square brackets” or “box brackets” [ ] braces or “curly brackets” { }
