How To Use Commas - English Writing Lesson

[@greenapplecz7195]

Five years of studying in twelve minutes. Thank you so much, now I get it

[@salahuddinayubi3914]

seriously! what a smart guy you must be.

[@Neymar_Akeel]

5 YEARS Dam I agree he must be smart

[@Goldenwhitewings]

Studying what

[@jessielee6790]

1: Listing comma( separate items in a list including words, phrases and full sentences) to replace 'and' / 'or' 2: Joining comma( join two complete sentences with a linking word) 1⃣️linking words: but, or, although, also etc. 2⃣️We can't use a joining comma with some linking words( however, ) 3: Bracketing comma( add extra information to a sentence, more often used in appositives) ⚠️Using bracketing comma the sentence must be complete and make sense without that extra information. 🚫Don't put a comma between a subject and its verb 🚫Don't use a comma before that 🚫Don't use a comma to join two sentences if without linking words

[@kennethmuse8956]

Hi! I think we don't need to use comma before 'although' because it's a subordinating conjunction ,right? I'm not a professional one ; I just want to advise.

[@resulmammadli4022]

@@kennethmuse8956 yes i thing about we cannot use comma after although and because but only one exception if there are begining of the non essential sentence.

[@kennethmuse8956]

@@resulmammadli4022 absolutely, my friend.

[@milopup]

Is nobody talking about how calming his voice is?

[@mariamkinen8036]

That is one of the goals on these channels , meant for ppl in distress. Whatever their problems.

[@MrAllywood79]

Yes, and I also notice that he is also cute

[@snijder6255]

He's mine

[@couponsanddailybargains]

This is the best explanation using commas. Great information.

[@sudhirshrestha1465]

Yeah

[@tolasilv]

Over one year now, this use of commas has been a guide. Thanks.

[@stopthink7202]

Thanks for that. It helped me out a lot. I have a bad habit of using brackets far to often to put additional info into a sentence so I'm trying to sneak in more commas in their place 🙂

[@gemmascott5650]

So useful. So many of my students (at secondary level!) don't know how to use commas correctly. This was a nice clear way to explain the rules.

[@ftblawareness]

This has really helped, I should've listened in school.

[@gabrielzachariah5496]

Definitely learnt this is primary school but forgot somewhere down the line, thanks

[@mariamkinen8036]

The shortening of a full sentence truly helped me a great deal. This is what I've been struggling with ‼️

[@ugdhermann]

Thanks for your explanation! That was very useful. I just wanted to add that in russian and ukrainian languages we always use comma before "that","which", "whom"etc., except the moments when "that" means "what" and it is perceived as a subject which make/made/has made something. That's,maybe,why we have such common problem

[@ОльгаЕфремова-о6я]

Thanks Oli for a very helpful lesson! These rules are difficult for me, because in Russian many of them are not like that. For example, in a sentence "The people we met on holiday were very nice." it is necessary to put 2 commas, thereby designating a defining phrase "we met on holiday" «Люди, которых мы встретили на отдыхе, были очень милы». In Russian, a comma is also needed before "that" ("который").

[@Tahn_yt]

thank you so much for taking the time to make this video, it was really helpful and a joy to watch

[@thespectrum1747]

First time I actually get it thank you so much!

[@dedam288]

i have a passage :'Looking at the specific second languages spoken, in 2000, 30% of the students were able to speak Spanish, 15% spoke French, and 10% spoke German. By 2010, the proportion of Spanish speakers had risen to 35%, there were 5% fewer French speakers, and the figure for German speakers remained at one in ten. Finally, we can see that the percentage of speakers of other second languages, apart from Spanish, French and German, rose from 15% to 20% over the period shown.' THis is difficult to get it , although i have already watched your lesson completely . I really apperciate if you explain to me

[@quangtoanta8577]

watting for the answer from administration

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Hi De Dam, what is your question about in particular? Do you have a specific phrase you don't understand, or questions on the use of a comma in a certain section?

[@rangbrangipakistan5470]

Plz add other punctuations as well! I had watched so many video on youtube about punctuations, but this outstanding and easy to understand.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Thanks for watching, Rang! We have more lessons on our website: www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/colons-semicolons, www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/english-punctuation-guide.

[@dustinkolbitsch7161]

very good video, and it was helping a lot to fresh up my knowledge about use of commas in english!

[@amrhalabi2753]

Thanks I like your lessons and I like your way, go ahead

[@chichi4639]

Very explanatory. I love your lovely diction.

[@caro.nekora]

People are like: Who also didn’t pay attention in school? Meanwhile me: We never learned punctuation in English because we learned it as a foreign language and my teachers thought knowing the rules in German is enough.

[@ace_syo]

OMGGGG BEI UNS WAR DAS AUCH SO HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@elizabethgonzalez6853]

They did teach me but not much tho.

[@light2004]

Very helpful!🤗❤ My English exam is tomorrow and I made many comma mistakes in the last exam. I'm sure that it will be better tomorrow than last time. Thank you!

[@pristianafirdaus2116]

Very useful. Thank you so much. More lessons please..

[@mayamasand2906]

Logically and nicely explained...thanks so much.

[@zain8940]

MashAllah! Extremely considerable video.🌹🌼

[@georgehohenbegergames82]

Such a good lesson

[@shazshaz3142]

Such good explaination

[@AskFo2sh]

Can't thank you enough for this.

[@NA-hs1xm]

Hey, please answer this one: in 11:16, can I use semicolons instead of full stop? since they are two independent clauses that related to the same subject? If not please clarify why not. Thank you.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Hi there, thanks for sharing your comment. Our certified English teachers can help you with online classes. You can book a trial lesson here: www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/book-first-class.

[@waltermwanza8805]

Thanks I enjoyed it

[@franciscabaezabaeza2103]

Hello teacher Oli. I ussually use commas when I want to separate concept when describing something and when. I finish the sentence with it and the last word. That. Thank you for explain a hug teacher Oli.

[@JwiseTheRealist]

good video .... I should listened to Mr Wills in my literature class

[@detphontumma2144]

Thank you very much for this.

[@ISAACICEMAN1]

Thanks mate sons in tears

[@amaya7836]

Thanks for uploading this video. Its was very informative.

[@thevirtuallearningcenter2462]

Informative video, helped me to learn the topic

[@enylestari_soewito]

Thanks Oli, very clearly..

[@stanislavdimitrov1643]

Hello, nice explanation. Obviously, it is quite complicated:)

[@beenishsameer4947]

Helped me learn for my test

[@slotmain2885]

A very good video I give it a👌👍

[@mahamedwiilqaran2687]

Good good better you are very important english to my all of them to teachers

[@CHANNYTUBE]

Very useful and clear thank you

[@angel-lz6ub]

Thank You!!!!

[@anishflyingclubanishyadav8420]

Thanks sir 🙏 ☺

[@GHOSTGAMING13278]

Thanks, Sir I got full marks in my examination; You helped me a lot.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

That's great, Vandana! We're glad we could help!

[@maxman6880]

thanks i really need it😁

[@guilhermeo.5387]

Very similar to portuguese grammar. The only things different from the video that I can remember right now is that in portuguese, you also have to use commas before a vocative and after dates and places that come in the beginning of the sentence.

[@palsipos4854]

it is quite clear that this video is about the correct usage of commas, but even that can not explain why the sentence closing full stops are missing at the end of quite a few examples. :)

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

+Pál Sipos Haha! Good spot. Actually, when you have a bullet point, you don't have to use a full stop. However, I should be consistent with it. Thanks for pointing it out.

[@sakunthalaliyanage8436]

Oxford Online English Hi Could you please explain me what does this really mean? I do not understand! Thanks

[@hanooismail9064]

Thanks

[@Yassamine200]

Thank you so much ❤

[@ayeshasami8163]

you help me a lot

[@ahmadhosny7462]

ya he has a calming voice

[@Sunny7135p]

Thanks young Oli for waking me up from my prolonged ''Commas'' coma .😴 😁😁 It's amazing that you could make the boring rules more interesting. Now, I'm able to torture my OOE teachers with bombarded commas in the comment section. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jashancheema9938]

Thank you very much

[@siddybalde1520]

thanks💪

[@KowshiKTikadarSuvSufiItsuvie]

such a/an? wonderful and useful lesson, thanks a lot.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

+KowshiK Tikadar Suv Sufi Thanks! (The correct answer is 'such a...')

[@svtuition]

simple. Thanks

[@Islam_makes_Peaceful_soul]

It is nice, knowledgeable and clear lecture, so I got across easily!! Thanks!! Could you add more vedios with different examples!!

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Glad you liked it, Salim! We will see about having similar lessons in the future!

[@RA-zv7wd]

3:44 "Although" is a subordinator, and when it comes with a dependent clause after the independent clause comes first, you don't need to put a comma before it. Please correct me if i'm wrong.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

+Ako R Comma usage isn't very rule-bound, which is one of the difficulties. Can you give me some examples of sentences you aren't sure about?

[@mariamkinen8036]

It is a run-on. Now I got the point. You can reduce a part of a full sentence. I still need practice.

[@manojrr87]

Quick question. You mentioned in British English we don't use a comma before an and. But, at 3:18 the sentence uses a comma before an and. I am confused

[@ahmedbassam400]

Thanks lad! That was really helpful.

[@rudyalexandercordovacaball6970]

Great video men

[@bliss_3037]

I thought I was being stupid, but when I watched this video I realized that school has not taught me anything you have said in this video. (Listen I know I probably wrote that wrong, this is the first time I’ve used a comma in a sentence in a while.)

[@lgbtdestruction.9858]

The school system is a failure. It fails to prepare you for your working life or social interaction. It was developed to create obedient factory workers in the Victorian era.

[@abdulmirza7786]

Thank you very much.

[@lawrencelu7600]

It is very useful.

[@tiaramdhayan5381]

Very informative.

[@renatajakielaszek]

Thank you

[@teddyperera8531]

Thank you.

[@panayottomov4791]

You're a good guy

[@ChaosCloud96]

So am I correct in saying that using a semicolon instead of a comma would replace the linking word? For example, 'I went to the shops, they were closed' is incorrect because there is no linking word. 'I went to the shops; they were closed' is correct?

[@rasul01]

You are indeed correct.

[@merabmeshile6292]

Thankyou so much for letting me know the topic. You did incredible job.Sending u lots of love and prayers❤️❤️

[@jashancheema9938]

Please make video on use of whether, either

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Thanks for the suggestion, Jashan! Keep checking back for new videos!

[@nosycatUK]

Great channel

[@dirlynorberg8255]

Great explanations, great lessons! I love your classes! Thank you so much Your English accent kills me in the best way, teaching me to try to speak as you do.

[@afaqmemmedeliyeva7010]

Thank u .It is so useful.We can not put comma after "that"?Do I comprehend correctly?

[@tgchan]

Thank you~!

[@DanielHatchman]

In the last example could 'of course he'll give up in the first week,' be considered extra information, or doesn't opinion count as information?

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Hi Daniel. This is a common area of confusion with commas. 'Of course he'll give up in the first week' is a complete sentence. Therefore, if you are going to join it to another complete sentence using a comma, it should include a linking word. For example: 'He told me that he's planning to go to they gym every day, and of course he'll give up in the first week'. Hope this helps you!

[@DanielHatchman]

@@Oxfordonlineenglish1 I see! So the second part could be a complete sentence. So you can use a full stop or you need a joining word. So extra information added on with a comma can't be a complete sentence. Thanks for the clarification :)

[@bugguyonline]

im using this to edit the grammar in fandom wikis, i hope it sticks with me since this is very interesting!

[@harshita5363]

^•^

[@mariamkinen8036]

When is it possible to use a comma before that if it is connected with a noun clause ahead of it? An antecedent . Adam explained that. Write to the top.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Hi Maria. No, the only time you would put a comma before 'that' is in a sentence like this: 'Actually, that choice turned out to be great'. Otherwise, you don't want to put a comma before 'that'. Hope this helps you!

[@kennethmuse8956]

Sir, I have a confusing question. Last 2 years ago, Paul Skertich asked you why there is a comma between rain and outside in this sentence:"I saw her in the pouring down rain, outside standing underneath a store's awning". And, you answered ,"the second clause is dependent on the first". Why sir? I don't really understand. Could you kindly explain me that with more examples, sentences and details please? :) Thank you very much!!! I like your explanation so much ,and I have pressed 'Like' button and subscribed your KZbin channel.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

We're so glad you enjoy the lessons, Kenneth. To answer your question: 'outside standing underneath a store's awning,' is not a complete idea alone because it does not make sense. It cannot be a complete sentence, so it needs to be joined with the first independent clause 'I saw her in the pouring down rain.' We have a lesson to help you with this as well! You can watch it here: www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/sentence-structure. Hope this is useful for you!

[@kennethmuse8956]

@@Oxfordonlineenglish1 thank you so much, sir. Now, I won't be confused using commas anymore :D ,and I've watched video which you sent me. That really help me out! Thank you again and again :)

[@9ine708]

Thank you very much. Much appreciated.

[@jemnewman2467]

Cool 😎 video

[@wojciechkrygier4818]

Great Youtoube channel!

[@okbomber7393]

HII OLI THANK U

[@asemalsuty4448]

Number 4 in 4:31 can i remove comma as the clause 2 is not complete the same in 1:43 could be a complete clause removed find someone to help is a list with start again both you will have to do them so it is a list u should remore comma???

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Hi Asem. When giving options or making lists (like those in 4:31 and 1:43) a comma is necessary.

[@asemalsuty4448]

@@Oxfordonlineenglish1 5 :31 can i remove the comma?

[@mariamkinen8036]

Thank you ...

[@elizabethgonzalez6853]

This video is very useful, but they forgot to mention independent clause and dependent clause.

[@juniatamc]

What is the correct way to write the sentences in 8:45?

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Hi there. The correct sentences should be written without commas: 'He was a strict and sometimes cruel leader who was feared by his staff,' and, ''Pens which can write upside-down are used by NASA astronauts on the International Space Station.'

[@juniatamc]

Isn't the comma before "and" in a listing of 3 or more things called oxford comma?

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Yes it is. This comma is optional in most situations.

[@raheemabderraheem8325]

Can we use a semicolon instead of full stop to join 2 related independent sentences (which aren't linked with linking words )

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

We have a lesson to help you, Adam! www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/colons-semicolons

[@karenpetersen5104]

Thanks for a great video. I'm curious, Oli, what is your dialect?

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Hi Karen, he has a British accent from the Oxford region.

[@aidensgames1419]

So you use commas before the subordinate clause in a complex sentence ?

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Hi Atlanta. Yes, when we are linking the clauses by commas rather than conjunctions or relative pronouns, you would put the comma after the independent clause.

[@aidensgames1419]

Oxford Online English Thank you very much!

[@elvst3331]

hi, i have seen in books which have this and, used. Does the and, used the correct use of comma.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

I'm not sure I understand your question; could you give me an example?

[@user-ud6hk9vf3j]

+Oxford Online English I think they're asking if you can place the comma after the conjunction in a sentence.

[@LlewellynvonHellen]

It's odd how the Oxford comma is not used in the UK, _where Oxford is located_, but it is used in the US.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Maybe it's named after Oxford, Mississippi... :)

[@LlewellynvonHellen]

I don't know who named it and where, but the Victorian _Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)_ is thought to have "invented" it.

[@stephenprice3357]

The example about pens and astronauts sounded good to me even after the information in red was removed. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@spcraftsman2656]

What about a fully-fledged sentence containing commas inside a bracketed part of a sentence? As a hobbyist writer, I find myself stuck with that from time to time.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Hi there. Do you have a specific example you're confused about? You can apply the same rules to commas inside of brackets (listing, joining, bracketing, etc.). Hope this helps you!

[@heshaanprathapan1232]

For the last sentence about the good year, what if we use a semi-colon instead of a period?

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Hi Heshaan. We could do that. We also have a semicolon lesson which may help to give you more insight: www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/colons-semicolons. Hope this helps you!

[@Blisolda]

Hi! Maybe you could help me with this doubt. I'm a teacher and some time ago I got into an "argument" with a fellow teacher because of a sentence that a student wrote, which wasn't the sentence we were hoping for (this was a grammar exercise in a test). So, the student wrote this: "Some health complaints like allergies and asthma, caused by pollution and germs, affect thousands of people around the world." Is this a correct sentence? Does it make sense? Thank you!

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Good question! Yes, the sentence is grammatically correct. It's a reduced relative clause; it could also be written as, "...which are caused by pollution and germs, ..." The clause between commas contains extra information which could be removed without making the whole sentence meaningless, so it does need to go between commas. Hope this helps!

[@Blisolda]

Oxford Online English Thank you so much! Yes, it does help a lot (because I argued that the sentence was indeed correct). My colleague argued that the relative couldn't be reduced in English (which we do all the time in our language, Portuguese), and so there shouldn't be any commas. Thank you again!

[@raheemabderraheem8325]

@@Blisolda hi there , I'm working on my writing skills ,would you like to join me ?

[@slimeomlime1577]

In the sentence "You'll either have to start again, or find someone to help you" you said it is wrong because the second part is not a full sentence. I actually thought it was wrong because the first sentence is not a complete sentence. I find it difficult to believe that "You'll either have to start again" can stand on its own as a sentence while the second part "Find someone to help you",which could be used like a command, seems just fine as a sentence to me.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

I didn't say it's wrong; I said it's correct! "Find someone to help you" looks like it isn't a full sentence, but it's actually a full sentence with some words omitted to avoid repetition. The full form would be "You'll either have to start again, or you'll have to find someone to help you." Leaving out the words 'you'll have to' doesn't change the fact that it's a full sentence.

[@slimeomlime1577]

Woops, my mistake. I meant to say that I felt the sentence was wrong because I thought the first part "You'll either have to start again" could not stand on it's own as a sentence. Could you explain how the first part is a complete sentence?

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

It's not a complete sentence, because using 'either' makes it a dependent clause, i.e. it needs the second clause (with 'or') to complete the idea and the sentence. Without 'either' it would be a full sentence.

[@slimeomlime1577]

That was what I thought. So in that case does that mean that we can use the joining comma with a linking word to combine 2 complete sentences OR 2 clauses? I ask this because in the sentence we are discussing you explained it under the "joining comma" section of the video, where you said that it is used to join two complete sentences while in this case the first part (beginning with "You'll either") as you have just told me is not a complete sentence.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Yes, that's a more accurate way of thinking about it. I didn't want to get into different clause types, so I used the term 'full sentence' a little loosely in the video, meaning 'either a full sentence or a clause which could potentially be a full sentence.'

[@SureshSingh-96]

thanks i like your lessons