Unit 11.1
Comma
Introduction
A comma is a punctuation mark used to indicate division.
Form
The comma mark is: ,
Example
- Between question tags and yes-no responses
- She’s very nice, isn’t she?
- You don’t like her, do you?
- No, thank you.
- Between vocatives and discourse markers
- Tell me, John, what made you do this.
- Wow, that sounds great!
- Well, I don’t quite agree with you
- subordinate comment clauses put together with the main clause
- To be honest, he shouldn’t behave like this.
- If I may say so, you would be better off without him.
- Nevermind, I’ve already bought some myself.
Use
Commas appear between:
- question tags
- yes-no responses to questions
- vocatives
- discourse markers
- some subordinate comment clauses such as “to be honest” or “nevermind”, placed at the beginning or at the end of the main clause