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Writing – When to use commas with AND, BUT, OR, FOR, SO, YET…
Do you need to put a comma before and, but, or, for, so, or yet? Learn how to use coordinating conjunctions in English, and when to use commas with them too in this punctuation class. If you’re interested in improving your writing, this lesson is a must!
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Test your understanding of this English lesson
Test your understanding of the English lesson by answering these questions. You will get the answers and your score at the end of the quiz.
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thank you. very good
rachel
james thank u for this program I like that
ulul.Thanks a bunch yourlesson is very helpf
Thank you for your lesson :)
thanks Alex!i’ll learn a lot from you.i hope so.
we want more easy lesson like this one. lol. thanks Alex.
No problem!
“Do you prefer paper or plastic?” why we don’t need to put comma after paper?
Thank you it was easy and nice lesson
thank you so much
I would be grateful If you could give a reason why the sentence ” Do you prefer paper, or plastic” is wrong.
Regards,
goutham
When you give someone a choice between two things, you don’t need to use a comma after “or.” For example, “Would you like Coke or 7Up?” “Do you enjoy singing or dancing?” The comma is needed when there are two independent clauses joined together by a coordinating conjunction like the ones in this lesson.
Thank you very much for the intersting lessons!
I need a point of clarification regarding the first question in the quiz!
When we say “the red ones”, that may not link the second sentences to the first one, I don’t understand why should we use the comma !!
thank you so much
Thanks a million! I’m learning a lot with ”youse” (like Irish speak) haha
;D
Haha. Nice.
great lesson!!! thank youuuu!! :)
Thank you Alex! (Sidney – Brazil)
Thank you very much :)) Piotr from Poland :)
thanks
thank you teacher Alex, this lesson is very important….
thanks mr alex
Hi Alex!
thank you very for teaching us this lesson, but i have got a question in my mind. Would you like to tell the difference between so and and? I am not very sure about it.
Hi Alex!
Thank you very for teaching us this lesson, but i have got a question in my mind. Would you like to tell the difference between so and and? I am not very sure about it.Please
“and” is used for additional information while “so” is used to show a result. Examples:
I went to the doctor yesterday, and I got some medication. (you’re talking about two different things you did even though they are related)
I didn’t feel good yesterday, so I stayed home. (the reason you stayed home is because you didn’t feel good)
thank you for the lesson
really you are amazing
I’m from Syria and I’m understand the lesson .
Hi Alex,
I would like to thank you for giving me this great lesson, but I’ve lost my words. I’ve searched for it, but I couldn’t find.
Is that correct?
THANK YOU, ALEX!
I meant “I would like to thank you for giving us this great lesson” instead what I wrote above.
big thanks , Alex
I like this site a lot, so I will visit everyday. Thank you.
yeayy i got them all correct :D thx to Alex!!
Dear teacher Alex,
I quite understand the point you want to teach us in this lesson. But I only have a question concerning another issue in the last example sentence: “I wanted to go out, but none of my friend were available.” I don’t know why “were” is used here instead of “was”.
Can you please explain it to me? Thank you so much!
Both ways are used in informal speech, but we use “none of them was” because of the plural “them” before the verb.
Oops! I meant “were.”
Hi Sir Alex, I’m a bit confused about none of them is and none of them are….which one is correct? Because all I know when it comes to none must follow with singular verbs. Just asking. Thanks. God bless!
And also you told there that it’s both the same way, but aren’t we supposed to use the formal ones. Thanks. I am looking forward to hearing more from you soon. I would be grateful to that. God bless1
thank u soo muchhh ..:)
Thanks Alex
Awesome! thank you so much for the lesson.
Thank you so much for this lesson! This question about commas was bothering me for a while. :)
Many Thanks. it is a good lesson.
thanks alot
Thank u sir. I would like to learn more from this Site.You guys are doing wonderful job.
hi, will you tell me the difference between reach, arrive and come??please also give lessons on daily use sentences spoken at home.
Good ideas for future lessons! Thank you!
hi all i found it very interesting!thk u
this is good, thanks
Great Lesson, you are a great teacher!
In the first question of the quiz it says that the right answer is the first one:
“She has three pairs of shoes, but she likes the red ones best”.
The second part ( but she likes the red ones best)of this sentence is really independent from the firt one ?
She likes the red ones best.(But what are red ones?)
“She likes the red ones best” has a subject, verb, and object. Therefore, it is an independent clause. It is possible to write, “She has three pairs of shoes. She likes the red ones best.” Instead of writing the two sentences separately, we can join them with a coordinating conjunction.
Hello Alex!
Thank you for your great lesson. I really didn’t know much about this matter.
Take care and bye
nice, nice , good job
thank you so much teacher you are great
thanks a lot Alex!
Hey teacher, i’m from Brazil, and first of all i would like to thank you for all these teaching videos, and also I would like to ask you if it’s possible to you (or any of your coworkers)make a video explaining the meaning of the expression “take for granted”. I looked for the meaning on internet but I couldn’t find anything related to that. And about the properly use of ” at, on and in”. Thank you one more time :D
To take for granted means “to handle with levity”
If you “take something for granted,” you think it isn’t worth paying attention to, or that it will always be there and doesn’t require any effort. For example, you can take a relationship for granted, or a person for granted…you think you don’t have to do anything in the relationship or that a person will always be your friend/boyfriend/girlfriend/etc. without any continued effort from you.
please please we need a writing tutorial series to cover all writing subject in English
pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
This would be a huge project! I hope we cover a lot of information!
I a’m an English Student, I am seeking a partner for conversation on the skype to improve my language.
My skype id ( sqsiddiqui )
Thanks for this great effort to teach English. You guys teach with passion which lead us to the right speaking, and improve our interest.
Thanks
thank you Alex :-)
Thanks a lot Alex, for your guidance, but I was taught in my childhood that there’s no comma before and…please make it clear. Thanks again!
and please check my all commas as well:)
If you say “I want a hamburger and fries,” there’s no comma. You’re just listing two objects. However, if you are joining two independent clauses, you need a comma before “and.”
Example: “I drank a whole bottle of tequila, and I called my ex-girlfriend.”
thank you so much teacher alex.
nice! I learn a new gramar.
We do not use “a” before “grammar” since it is a non-count noun. You can say “Thanks! I learned some new grammar,” or “Thanks! I learned a new grammar structure/point.”
thanks for your lesson. it’s very useful.
Thank you
I miss the last question. It is tricky.
What happen? I did all correct of tests, but the scores showed 4 out of 5. Why??
Scored 5 out of 5 i love interacting and putting myself in the story
Thank you Alex
Thank you so much
thankyou.ive got perfect score!
thank u sir. it is very helpful in writing.
Thank you Alex, this very useful
Thanks a bunch! Very useful and interseting and instructive and creative! :))
thank you great and useful
its good
Thanks
thank you from Colombia
pretty cool this lesson, i made only one mistake because i didn’t pay attention.
hello mr alex the lesson was really great thank you so much and I want you tell me what is the difference between maybe and perhaps please .
There is almost no difference except for formality. “Perhaps” is more formal and is more commonly used in academic English.
thanks)
This is great,thanks.
i love you alex see ya later
thanks alex for your teaching us this extremely important lesson
it really helps.. thanks engvid team.
thank you alex for this lesson. i want you to give us more lessons about punctuation.thank you so much again
it’s great, thanks!!
Thanks Alex for explain to me .you’re good teacher and good teaching ,God bless you .
Thanks alex, you”re realy a good teacher.
thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu….*
thank you!
Thanks Alex good job
thank you so much your lesson is verry helpul i like it
I don’t how to thank you !
teacher thanks for your lessons!! they are very good!!
Good night teacher, do you have any lesson that talk about the orders in the classroom?, the orders as a teacher you use ussually??, i hope that you can help me!! thank you so much!!
what is the difference between ..
1) would have and would have been
2) should have and should have been
3) could have and could have been
“Would” is for possibility/condition.
“Should” is for advice/past regret. (“should have”)
“Could/Could have” are for ability/possibility.
Good luck!
Thanks a lot.
I want to be friend with native english speakers for improving my english skill. Is there anybody help me?
Thank you very much for this very professional teaching.
hi, I am a newer. i wanna improve my grammar ability and I will keep in touch with this site.
Easily done. I need more…
Wonderful I loved it. But I was wondering do you have other videos for other propositions. Full stops, exclamation mark ….etc. thanks
Dear Alex,
the way you teach is brilliant,
Thanku Sir,
Its one of good lession.
Keep it up…Best of luck :)
this is woderful.
thank you, for you help
OMG! THANK Teacher for ur lesson! it is very useful! heheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
thank you… now i know the proper use of grammar. i learned a lot… its true very useful…
When i see you on my computer ,i m really in a class.Thank’s
Hi ))) Could you please answer my question. If there are 3 or more adjectives in one sentence, but they all are of different type. ( for ex green round tasty apple) should we put commas between these words anyway? thank you
No. :) It’s only if the adjectives are from the same descriptive category (usually opinion) that you use commas.
Thank you so much and keep your good job.
I need anyone to add my skype id mansouralqasem to improve my English language.
Best Regard.
Thank Alex, this kind of word is common making some mistakes.
This was one of the teasing challenges I had during commenting on news websites. I was always uncertain if I had to put commas before or after the conjunctions. Now, my problem is solved. Thank you Mr. Alex.
wow !!
you speak so clearly, i’m not good at English but i almost understand all what you spoke
Thank you so much
Wow thx
Alex, thank you very much!
Could you give me some examples with so and therefore, please? What’s the difference between them?
nice lesson….
Hi Alex,
Your class is extremely useful. Thanks for that. I have a doubt to clear. How do we ask a question to get answer “He is our fifth prime minister”
Thank you many times
Thanks Alex and I need more…. Any way good job.
thank you sooooooooooo much . i have the biggest problem in english . i cant make the sentence. how i can it ?
the lesson was great and really helped me. thanks for everything you are doing for us. Take care
Thank Alex, You are a good Teacher.
thanks Alex :)
hi,thank u very much alex
what does mean by (I am broke)
Dear Alex, I just wanted to say thank you very much for that lesson. I like the way you explain everything so clear. Keep up with the good job!
Regards
Leandro from Brazil.
Thanks I learned a necessary grammar structure , so I like your lessons .
how do u take the quiz??
thanks for your lessons ,you explain very good , congratulations
thankq
please teach me when to use with , to, for
5/5,thanks teacher.
Very nice lesson, Alex
tks very much, my test have 5/5 score
I would like to express my condolence thanks from all Engvid Teachers, who are playing a vital role in understanding of English new learners.
Thank you just the same.
Hi Alex,
I failed on “yet”.
Damn!
Hi Alex,
Thank you very much for your great lessons.
I have a question if you don’t mind.
which is better to say:
I’d like coffee and water.
or
I’d like both coffee and water.
I appreciate you ASAP reply.
thanks.
Both are possible and correct. Personally, I would use the first one, since it seems repetitive you want both of two things. It’s like you’re saying “I want two of the two.”
thank you very much for your explaination.
best regards.
Akram.
Hi, Alex,it’s a very good lesson. Thank you so much:)
Thank you Alex-you are a very good teacher.
I’m learning about comma very well with your lessons. Thank you!
thank you so much Alex. ^__^
plz Mr Alex help us in linkers of writing
thanks you so much. i have learned one concept today.
Teacher. I took the quiz and the last question I chose the answer where there was a coma before of “or” and the answer was badly. Why?? The question said” do you prefer paper or plastic? This was the correct.. Why? No needed of coma before of or..
can we have more exercices with colon, semeicole, and commas. Thank you
Hi Alex, I’ve been watching you since a few months ago and I have still never stopped until now because you’re a great teacher , keep it your way.
As a non native english speaker, last time , i found phrasal verb was so tough subject but when it comes to your detail explaination , I ,ve found very easy to understand and memmorize.
If possible please come out with more phrasal verbs next time.
Phrasal verbs are extremely important to understanding English. I’ll definitely have more lessons about them in the future.
unbelievable! i made 1 mistake! ha ha
Explain this;
I like coffee, but my wife doesn’t ,
If it’s a really short sentence like this, you can omit the comma. Also, “my wife doesn’t” sounds more like a phrase instead of a clause, since it doesn’t have a main verb, so you can easily omit the comma.
Explain this;
My brother can’t speak Spanish, and neither can I .
thanxx alot alex for the lesson
My English is so racist ,but you are amazing thank you so much god will bless you!
What do you mean your English is “racist”? That’s a little strange to say!
hi alex I want know the difference between the simple past and present perfect
I got 5 correct!!! of 5 ..Wow.
Thank you so much for your lesson.
Thanks Alex Thanks Eng Vids
Hi Alex
I have one question please
why you don’t used future in this Sentences like
(I going to the gym on sat , and I visiting me par .) thank you
Thanks a lot, I found the lesson really useful.
its easy and cool
Hi Alex sir, your class is very interesting and clearly.I would be very greatful,if you add passive voice lesson. Many people don’t know clearly about what is the currect uses of passive voice. I am waiting for your response.
your videos are seriously awesome and are helping me alot
Dear Alex, Id like to know the use for Yet , cause thats not clear for me
Dear Alex I wana know the steps of writing a paragraph And thanks for the lessen .
Hi Alex,
I would like to thank you for giving me this great lesson, but I’ve lost my words. I’ve searched for it, but I couldn’t find.
Is that correct?
THANK YOU, ALEX!
Thank you kindly! You are really a great teacher I enjoyed your lessons more than anything.if you just let me know about your other on-line lectures or from other resources. please let me have contact with you that will be my pleasure and you will be so kind.
Thank you sir
thank you for these interesting lesson you are really a great teacher im injiying your lessons
Dear Alex,
Firstly, I would like to say thank you very much for your nice class.
By the way I have a question regarding with ” and”. I seen some sentences are use semicolon before ” and”. So, what are the differences between using comma and semicolon for this case. Also, is it possible to use semicolon with ” or”, “so”, and “but”. Many thanks for great assistance.
Thank you so much Alex! a very helpful videos for everybody who wants to learn an English. Like myself I used to hate this subject in our class. Anyway I’m originally from the Philippines,and just moved here in Canada 3 years ago. My English is not good not even a single word I could speak well, but I am trying. I hope from this moment I saw all of your videos I can learn from it. :)
great job! great teacher! I appreciate yr lessons : detail and interesting. I like the way you raise your hands. I’m a teacher too.I’m from Vietnam. I want to immitate your method. Absolutely good. Thank you, Alex.Hope you’ll come to my city to teach…
Alex. Would you mind answering my question ?
but, so, and, or are co-ordinate they stand after a comma. What about therefore, however, consequently and as a result, as a consequence. …… How to use ?
I’m studying at college for my GCSES, this is great information. This lesson is just what I need so I can work on this because Im aiming to do this kind of work in my tests. Thanks Alex :)
hi Alex may you help me in countable and uncountable nouns its really difficult to me
please
hi Alex whats difference between this sentence
I like drawing ,and football.
I like coffee ,and i like tea.
Thanks!
Great online course, sure beats going back to school after 30 yrs
Hey Alex! Help me out with this one.
If in the first question of the quiz above I delete she from the 2nd clause, the sentence becomes – “She has three pairs of shoes but likes the red ones best.”
I feel that the punctuation is not required here. Am I right?
is really good
it was alright
?………………..
that was boring
i love this vido thankes
thank you for helping fanboys Alex
WAZZZ UP
WHAT THE HAEK MAN
Thanks jan for teacting the conjunctions now I know where I ues coodinating conjunctions that most common like and, so, but, or, yet I try to ues it in writing as well….best regard jan
thanks
i want to know the difference between the simple past and present perfect please
yes, I got an 80
I just love your teaching, makes so easy to understand some topics and grammar, tks bless you
Thanks very much(kazakhstan)
What’s the differences between i didn’t rain and it was not rain
i realy appricate you for giving us much information about english and i would like to say you keep going you are doing well for ever .
hi Alex,I am try to learn English, but I can’t understand . I want easy way to learn please give me your advice.
the use of the punctuation is very important, thanks Alex!
Thanks, Alex.
This video is really useful. Thanks for sharing! I love this website. :D