If the word is restrictive, commas should not be used; if the word is nonrestrictive, commas are required. Here is an example in which therefore is essential to the meaning of the sentence: The students cheated and were therefore disqualified. In this sentence, the disqualification is a direct consequence of the cheating. Commas and periods are the most frequently used punctuation marks. Commas customarily indicate a brief pause; they're not as final as periods. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. Example: My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew. Commas with Interrupters or Parenthetical Elements. Interrupters are little thoughts that pop up in the middle of a sentence to show emotion, tone, or emphasis. A parenthetical element is a phrase that adds extra information to the sentence but could be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence.
- Follow these 6 basic punctuation rules and they will help you to write more clearly and effectively.
- Comma definition: (noun) a punctuation mark that separates a list or indicates a pause between words A comma looks like an apostrophe, but it appears at the bottom of a word rather than the top. Unlike an apostrophe, use a comma to separate words, not letters.
Using Commas for a Parenthesis
Commas can be used to separate a parenthesis from the rest of the sentence. (A parenthesis is additional information that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence, i.e., it could be removed.)It is also possible to use dashes or parentheses (brackets) to offset a parenthesis. Commas, parentheses, and dashes are types of parenthetical punctuation.
When used to offset a parenthesis, commas, dashes, and parentheses (brackets) are called parenthetical punctuation.
- Commas: While on holiday in London, Simon Schmidt, a fireman from New York, rescued a cat from a tree.
- Parentheses: While on holiday in London, Simon Schmidt (a fireman from New York) rescued a cat from a tree.
- Dashes: While on holiday in London, Simon Schmidt — a fireman from New York — rescued a cat from a tree.
A parenthesis is additional information in a sentence. If a parenthesis is removed, the sentence still makes sense. For example:
- The defendant, Mr. Michael Evans, sat in silence. ('Mr. Michael Evans' is additional information. This is a parenthesis.)
- The last owner of the Red Lion, who is my sister's friend, won over 4 million on The National Lottery. (The clause 'who is my sister's friend' is additional information. This is a parenthesis.)
When used mid-sentence, comments such as 'however,' 'therefore,' 'as a result,' and 'as far as I am concerned' fall into the category of parenthesis too. These, however, are not offset with parentheses (brackets) but commas and — at a push — dashes.
- John Winfield, on the other hand, is an experienced jockey.
- We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language. (Playwright Oscar Wilde)
Examples of Commas Used as Parenthetical Punctuation
In each example below, the parenthesis is shaded:- The second boat in the race, the 6-berth Kontarka, was crewed by local school children.
- Mr. Tommy Millar, 36, was jailed for robbing his father's grocery store.
- James, a 23-year-old beggar from Boston, left his 4-million-pound mansion to live on the streets.
- Last year's pizza-eating champion who works with my brother came in here and ate two loaves of bread in one sitting. (This is wrong because 'who works with my brother' should be separated from the remainder of the sentence using one of the types of parenthetical punctuation, e.g., commas.)
- Critics search for ages for the wrong word, which, to give them credit, they eventually find. (Actor Peter Ustinov)
A Parenthesis Is Not Always Mid-Sentence
A parenthesis is not always mid-sentence. For example:- They will be taking Jamie, a young man from London. (When a parenthesis ends a sentence, only one comma (or dash) is needed to offset it. (Obviously, if parentheses (brackets) are used, then both the open bracket and the close bracket are needed.)
You Must End Your Parenthesis!
- Mr Tommy Millar, 36 was jailed for robbing his father's grocery store.
- Critics search for ages for the wrong word, which, to give them credit they eventually find.
- Mr Tommy Millar (36 was jailed for robbing his father's grocery store. (A mistake with parentheses (brackets) is extremely rare. It is most often seen with commas.)
Choose Your Parentheses to Assist Your Reader
Although the use of commas as parenthetical punctuation makes for a normal-looking sentence, commas can become confused with other commas in the sentence. For example:- Last night, Josie, an escaped wallaby from London Zoo, attacked two young sisters, Rebecca and Josie, which is pure coincidence, Evans, in a bid to steal their crisps. (Although grammatically correct, the writer could have used a mixture of parenthetical punctuation to make the sentence clearer.)
- Last night, Josie (an escaped wallaby from London Zoo) attacked two young sisters – Rebecca and Josie (which is pure coincidence) Evans – in a bid to steal their crisps.
Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.Commas Meaning In Hindi
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
See Also
Commas Meaning In Telugu
Using commas (a summary)Our big commas testA Key Stage 2 (KS 2) test on parenthesisMore about your choice of parenthetical punctuationWhat is a parenthesis?More about parenthetical punctuationCommas after a sentence introductionsCommas after a transitional phraseCommas after interjections (yes, no, indeed)Commas before conjunctions (and, or, but)Commas in listsCommas with a long subjectCommas with numbersCommas with quotation (speech) marksCommas with the vocative caseCommas with Dear, Hello, and Hi