How to Use Commas in English Writing

[HumanFreePlanet]

Great teacher! Useful video, thank you..

[ahhg62]

THX Alex!

[1point7g]

Thank you, the video was extremely simple and effective.

[moct1234]

thanks sir

[NoManThatsNotMe]

Thanks bro, This will help me on my midterm, a hard one, tomarrow. xD

[robbysharolaid]

Shouldent number eight say, "Suzie didn't study for the test; therefor, she didn't pass"? I don't think there should be a period.

[robbysharolaid]

I dated a Lucy, she was a tall bitch; however, I did like her a lot. XD

[jeliconline]

John said "I must love Alex",But Alex replied, "how dare you lick my eye whilst eating bread".There was tension in the house of apes, but Alex was prepared to kill them all.The apes yelled with a roaring voice, "hahah do you think you can define me hahaha".Alex now equipped with a legendary golden, magical staff raised his arm, and yelled "you son of Loki ,do you claim you can define the truth of man".The ape grinned , and all of a sudden Jumped on Alex and killed him.Thee end :D

[jeliconline]

Alex said, "I am a Serbian".Two years ago a cat at Alex, But the cat was a rat who was not going to go. Despite Alex, being eaten by a cat, he was ravaged by a bear.What a tragedy replied the officer, while cleaning the last remains of Alex. :D

[SacredSocietyAP]

I, am, going, to, watch, this, one, more, time?

[zde82]

Another question: what if you have ind + dep_1 or dep_2. Would you put comma between two (long enough) dependent clauses?

[zde82]

A remark about transitions: I guess it works if it is in the begininng of a sentence. For example, in the sentence "Suzie didn't study and therefore she didn't pass" you do not put comma.

[Yagyajee]

Well done Alex. Thanks a lot,

[Biohazard931]

That was an excellent tutorial, Alex.

[anthonyturner2k]

Very well explained. Thanks.

[elcompafabian1]

Great video! It is very helpful.

[XBLGamer1996]

I have a English exam tomorrow and I need help because if we don't use commas we don't get a c if we spell things wrong we don't get a c and I am nervous what can I do

[masterELSKiN]

I learnt at school that in the second sentence the word and would go in place of the comma. Is it not the same in the US?

[sandychamp18]

can you please let me know from where i can get the sequence of your classes.

looking forward for your response :)

[mAnclTy]

Why did I type in commas again?

[SPARTAN9999999991]

Commas are important. Here's an example:

Let's eat, Grandpa.

Without the comma the meaning of the sentence is changed.

[dnielsen1]

Thanks for posting this video. You explain comma usage WAY better than my university English professor.

[kaitlynayates]

@TheLAOM i'd like to call it early onset dementia

[bernnyfelix21]

Alex, thanks for your video. It is so helpful. By chance, do you have any dvd for sale that explain this rules or any others?

[rischlneil3291]

You have mad teaching skills!

[Abdulmalik773]

damn i cant hear him well

[Einwegeinziel]

thank's for helping out, you are a great teacher.

[thedeziner]

Superb! Short and Smart. :) Keep it up!! & Thanks allot.

[kiselstein15]

My english teacher seems to disagree with rule 8:

"Furthermore, Willy does not look at it and denies knowing it."

is the comma correct at this point?.

[gaysanatomy]

@kiselstein15 Yes it is. But sometimes it's more about personal preference. For example, if the sentence is short adding a comma is optional after "furthermore". "Furthermore, we won." and "Furthermore we won." are both correct. The addition of a comma can be used if you want to emphasize the adverb "furthermore" in the sentence.

[TheLAOM]

How can you not know how to use a comma? loooool especially if you're about to go to university



[blackwolfsquadron]

you are my new English teacher!

[MetalLunar]

I feel stupid not knowing my english grammar its just so hard for me to remember and focus

[SadlifeProduction]

I, always, use way, too many commas, thanks, 

[nikodoll13]

Thanks for the video. :)

[r7709y]

You're like any other English teacher. 90% of it makes absolutely no sense. Example #1 makes the case as to how screwed up the English language is. You stated that you combined two independent clauses with the linking word "but" and that a comma was to be used. If you have a linking word that combines the two independent clauses then why in the hell would you need the comma when the word itself has already linked the clauses together.

[Whatever4690]

@r7709y Yes i dont think a comma is needed for example one,the sentence makes sense without the use of it.

But thats just the rules.

Hmm my punctuation sucks.

[blink7777777]

thanks

[raghuwanshi00]

Hey, thanks a lot for topic, we normally keep text typing without commas. As it help me a lot.

[OfficialCommaD]

SEARCH: COMMA D

[latinoamazonico]

I think we you get a lesson on clauses, Independent and dependent clauses.

[elidontlie]

he spelled depend wrong lol (dep>ind) not a good sign hahahahah

[hsfitch]

@elidontlie I am hoping you are trying to be funny. That is a mark indicating that the dependent clause came before the independent clause.

[daboo950]

thanx dude, you are an awesome teacher . by the way, i love watching your videos

[rabbitcanfly]

Where's the quizz?

[rachelberrian]

a trophy video that teaches me how to speak eloqeuntly

[llhotstuffll]

For # 3 isn't there should be "and" instead of "," ? --> smart and happy? why did you use , ? i am confused .. please explain me.

[yyoomadtho]

i don't get it. Why isn't there a comma put before the and/but in 'I was running, but I fell"? "I was running" is, by itself, a complete sentence, and so is 'I fell'. I know it's an exceptionally short sentence, but I'd still think the rule applies.

Can someone please enlighten me?

[TwilightMammy]

Very helpful! 

[TheSaeed7894]

This video was helpful, thank.

[ellie3637]

Is there a comma after "racing"? I can't tell (rule 7). Thanks.

[TheMacUpdater]

What about a date? Where and would you put commas in a date?

[vladylp]

Still don't get it, why do i have to use comma before "and" in a sentence like this: "I bought apples, tomatoes, and carrots."

[Gosupower]

@vladylp This is pretty simple. When you grade something you put commas between those items, i.e: My mom has a, b, and c. You put comma before "and" because it's American English. In British English you'd write My mom has a,b and c. Hope I helped you a bit.

[all2most]

Thanks, Alex !

[TONYSTARKism]

Thankyou Alex,it Really helped me.

Keep it up. :)

[Jrocker4ever]

stupid question but on number 6 can it be used like this: "i want some candy", mark said.

[SHAGGYMASSKR3]

FUCKING BORING!!!!! THANK YOU FOR UR APPRECIATION

[cuplafucall]

@SHAGGYMASSKR3 fuk you shaggy, i love this shite. see they way i but the comma between shaggy and .

i. cool as fuk.

[SHAGGYMASSKR3]

@cuplafucall lol good point...chill dude lol i was fucking with you man, actually im glad i saw this cause after graduating a couple yrs back, i've actually forgot so this kinda refresh my memory lol

[cuplafucall]

@SHAGGYMASSKR3 no bother shags. respect to you bro

[SHAGGYMASSKR3]

@cuplafucall lol back at ya man

[britaz44]

Tom wanted to buy pizza,but he didint have any money.  comma needed

Tom wanted to buy pizza but didnt have any money. no comma because after but there is no noun

Am i right????

[josephdo85]

For FANBOYS commas (1st rule), The comma placement has to do with with the two clauses have different subjects or not. If your lesson is taught wrong, you are hindering a great number of students.

[josephdo85]

For FANBOYS commas (1st rule), The comma placement has to do with with the two clauses have different subjects or not. If your lesson is taught wrong, you are hindering a great number of students/

[cuplafucall]

AGAIN COMMAS SHOULD NOT BE USED BEFORE AN AND.

SO THERE TAKE THAT MY FRIEND.

[josephdo85]

@cuplafucall if you are refering to a listing comma, then you are wrong it is optional. It's called the oxford comma. Some people reason that's necessary, and others choose it depending on there region.

[cuplafucall]

@josephdo85 well therefore, in my region we where told never but a comma before and.

so therefore im right, considering.

people used to get whacked in the christian brothers for that.

never optional my friend.

[josephdo85]

@cuplafucall Uhhh, you do realize that the internet is a global dialogue not a regional one , which makes you wrong and the oxford comma optional. Maybe the Christian brothers should have "whacked" that into you.

[cuplafucall]

@josephdo85 didnt have internet in the christian brothers. brother mike, didn't believe that it was any-good

. he said the devil owns the internet.

anyways ill continue not to but comma's before an and. in my region that is wrong. so i am right.

[josephdo85]

@cuplafucall yes, perhaps right in your region but wrong in this worldwide conversation, where it is optional. I'm glad you cede to my point.

[cuplafucall]

@josephdo85 no not wrong, cos im not wrong, and your not wrong.

so that means im write not wrong. and your right not wrong.

[kalobad]

Omg, my teacher failed me cuss of tthis coma splice thing, imma beat her ass. Anyways i wish i saw ur video before i hate comas who invented them? Damn

[Topgeneral3070]

my greatest writing demon...runon sentences and commas splices :(

[ndrichyung]

Great video, Alex!

Keep up all the good work!

[echerbony08]

Regarding your example for rule 4 (3:42), would it be correct to write: I didn't go to school, because it was raining? You mention that one could drop the comma in this case, but I think one could also retain the comma since "because" is a conjunction linking two independent clauses. Am I correct in understanding that it is always correct to put a comma before a conjunction that links two independent clauses, regardless of sentence length? Would this be correct: I was running, but I fell?

[FollowThatCamel]

oh my god. this was the biggest waste of time i have ever experienced. i had to pass a grammar test to get into england and now i'm being deported to israel where i will be whipped by rag heads

[RiptideHacker]

Why commas are important.

Lets eat, grandma!

Lets eat grandma!

[eagleaqua1]

Alex, can you please tell me when to use comma and when to use semi colon? And English is not my first language.

[eagleaqua1]

Alex, Can you please tell me where to use comma and when to use semi colon? Am so confused about it. And english is not my first language.

[tingmosobsob]

thank you Alex, that was helpful

[liquidripples]

Commas are the best!

[TheDramaPod]

Would you mind if I posted your tutorials on my website? I have quite a few readers who are interested in writing screenplays and lessons in punctuation can help a lot.

[88jmct]

dang get out of the way

[alilapointe1]

this, alex, is one god damned, good lesson.

[joeyruez]

Senor, this video is very eloquent, many thanks. I think it's the best one.

[TheBanshwa]

Great Video Senoir =]

[TheOriginalSammy]

Sounds reasonable, I can't disagree with you

[youngangel35]

Alex, good job!!!! very helpful!

[tierna773]

exellent lesson

[ioniax]

NAHYS TOUPÈE

[MoustacheMyMoustache]

Would it not be: Lucy - who is a tall woman -climbed the tree.

[ikarus2080]

In example number 6, the period goes out or inside the quotation marks?

[sqaurerootzero]

Great video man.

[urbanesupreme]

good video.

[TheMadee91]

This is great, I will definitely need to watch more. Very easy to understand.

Thank you

Will.

[Petroleena]

i'm a failure in english Alex a complete failure

[howtocc]

I find your video helpful.

Subscribe to my video channel user name is: howtocc

[kingreaper101]

thank you!

[Duke54227]

thanks friend....

[blindexile]

thanks i l got faster than being in my class. I was watching to get ready for my GED test reviewing things is awesome.

[A7med455]

That was very educational and simple.

[newlocksjourney]

Thank you! 

[davislashawn]

Great video.!

[YoungMalcomX1]

thanks alex

[blink7777777]

so for rule 3 after the 2nd adjective there has to be a pronoun?

[michealrampe]

Thanks Alex.Hats off

[link1825]

thanks



[MegaFoozi]

Thanks a lot Alex, this was a great lecture.  It really helped. :)

[mamaafric1]

people like u are Hero. Thank you Alex.

[14kentoshi1]

Could you tell me thedifference of the two sentences as follows? He studied very hard only to fail. I asked her for a date, only to have her say no.

Especially, I want to know the usasage of the COMMA of the second sentence.

[14kentoshi1]

Dear Alex Could you teach me its usuage of a comma in the next sentence? 1) I asked her for a date, only to have her say no. I don't know what categries the comma belongs to? 2) He sudied very hard only to fail. What is the differrence between them?

[MrChimkin]

Thanks a lot, Alex! Foreign language knowledge can expand your horizons incredibly!

[14kentoshi1]

Dear Alex I found two sentenses as follows. 1 He studied very hard only to fail. 2 I asked her for a date, only to have her say no. I want to ask about 2. Is it a right sentence? If it is a right one, what categories does it belong to? Could you explain its' meaning. What is the difference between them?

[polokidzgohard93]

100% on my test thanks for this you explained it real well..do your company also do videos for math

[AlexESLvid]

@polokidzgohard93 No, I'm sorry. We only specialize in English language training.

[Verification11]

i can't find the quiz alex -_-  please help

[dafranx]

AlexESLvid, you rule dude. I love your video(s), they're great. They really refine any person's English skills. :-)

[11becket]

Alex, really liked the video! <--- Is that correct? ...lol .I thought it was very clear and concise. Nice.

[isaacmiller1993]

Thank you Alex,

I appreciate you're video

[sorelsuarez]

hey, I see many articles where they don't use a coma before the and. Why's that?

[susanbunch1980]

Very educational, well done! You should upload your video to this site, Ewisdomtv

[pabel18]

Thanks a lot!

[2pacOG]

Your a blessing, God Bless and great video. Now Im going to bomb my essay.

[romathis0410]

This video is such a great help!

[hybmu]

Thank You Alex

Be blessed

[jimmyplane]

Tom should get a freaking job. Pizza is not expensive.

[hbkfitz]

i was never taught this by my much hated grade4-5 English teacher thanks for helping

[DavidBlanch0]

Thank you so much for this video! Really quite helpful for non-english people!

[POKEMONRULESTHENIGHT]

i already know. but nice vid you are smart!

[thecomputerist]

For what class are those things

[markovh]

Hello Alex,  I just wanted to let you know that you made this lesson very easy to understand. I am thinking about changing my career, and this lesson will prove very helpful!

Thank you,

Mark

PS. How are my writing skills in this message?

[jjflyfeet]

You are great !! Thank u, for taking your time to do this video.

[amrayoub]

Thanks Alex. Good videos

[Souad1969]

You an excellent teacher.

[das242]

thanks! great channel and great lessons!greetings from Brazil!

[HASSON1983]

thax Alex u r the man :)

[robertlewisvazquez]

Your a great teacher.

[Trepeg]

Thanks for the post alex!

I have taken 101 and 102 english and I STILL don't understand punctuation.

peace

[nuttygnemad]

alex i don't get what a independent claus, and a dependent claus is i do know you explained it, but i still don't understand could u or somebody tell me? oh and by the way, could somebody tell me if i got all my commas in the right place?

[AlexESLvid]

An independent clause expresses a complete thought. It has a subject, verb, and an object.

Example: My dad walked to the store.

A dependent clause is NOT a complete sentence.

Example: Because he was late.

A dependent clause NEEDS an independent clause to link it together.

Example: Because he was late, Tom missed the lesson.

You can ALSO say "Tom missed the lesson because he was late."

I hope this helps!

[Rayyan1981]

@AlexESLvid Thanks man You are a star! I also had the same problem as the quesioner above, I couldn't quite tell the difference between the two. This makes it so much easier to understand.

[prence1725]

@AlexESLvid are you a teacher? good explanation

[18gurly]

can help me a lot...thank u sir

[petergyi007]

thanks alot

[znerol22]

Thanks..

[brpimp]

good lesson,very helpful. god bless you.thanks

[albanbytyci]

Alex, thanks for the videos but the second rule is not explained well. I am afraid, here in England it would be wrong to use a coma before the connectives and when displaying a list, i.e. I bought oranges, apples and watermelon. We not use commas after the last item before the connective and. Good luck. Thanks.

[AlexESLvid]

These lessons teach North American English. In British English, the type of comma you are talking about can still be used. In fact, it is often called an "Oxford comma"!

[freeqwerqwer]

I had always wanted to get help on commas and other gramar problems but was afraid to ask. Thanks YouTube for making it easier.

[thethe3]

wow. thanks for helping to understand commas. I always have difficult time with it.

[Rustiana]

Good lesson! Thanks, Alex.

[MansoorY]

Great lesson. very helpful