In addition, we would like to thank the following, who have kindly given their permission for the use of copyright material: Bridgwater Mercury; Cambridge University Press; Consumers1 Association, London, UK; Fodor; Ladybird Books; The Mail on Sunday; Nicholson; Octopus Books; Rogers, Coleridge and White; Mary Underwood and Pauline Barr. | PAGE 71 56 Punctuation 3 Sub clauses and phrases The rules about commas with sub clauses and phrases are not very exact. In general we can use commas around an adverbial phrase or clause. Commas are more likely around longer phrases. a Adverbials We can use a comma after an adverbial clause or phrase at the beginning of a sentence. After the guests had all left we had to tidy up. After their departure we had to tidy up. Afterwards we had to tidy up. The comma is more necessary if the adverbial is long. After a short phrase there is often no comma. Afterwards we had to tidy up. A comma is much less usual when the adverbial comes at the end of the sentence. We had to tidy up after the guests had left. We had to tidy up afterwards. We do not normally use a comma before an infinitive clause of purpose. Lots ofpeople come here to look round the market. But commas are usual with linking adverbs truth adverbs and comment adverbs. Yes I have receivedyour letter. All of us as a result were feeling pretty tired. There wasn t much to eat however. On the whole the party was a success. Nothing got broken luckily. NOTE a When something is added as an afterthought we can use a comma a dash or brackets. Myhusbanddoes the cooking sometimes. I d love a holiday- if I could afford it. Everything should be OK I hope . b The name of the reader listener is separated off by commas. I hope to see you soon Melanie. Dear Alex Thankyoufor your letter. b Noun clauses A noun clause is not separated off by commas. This rule includes indirect speech. It is afact that there are more cars in Los Angeles than people. We know the earth goes round the sun. Everyone was wondering what to do. For direct speech 4 . c Relative clauses An identifying relative clause is not separated off. People who write plays sometimes act in them too. But an adding clause has commas. It can also have dashes or brackets. Shakespeare who wrote manyfamousplays also acted on the stage. For details about the different kinds .
