Mommas and Commas: Never Use a Comma Before “Be”?
Linda M. asked the following question in a Facebook message:
My mom used to say, “Never use a comma before any form of the verb to be.” Is this right? In some sentences it seems like there should be a comma before the word is.
I find this rule curious, and wonder how such rules get created and passed on. It’s not wrong either, at least not entirely. Let’s see if we can clarify it a bit.
Read MoreTake the Comma Quiz!
Now that you know the rules, take the quiz and test your knowledge! It’s fun and free.
Read MoreWhat a Comma Splice Is and How to Fix It
I just read this sentence on a student paper:
“Everybody is different, throughout history, though, stereotypes have caused big problems.”
This is an example of a common problem among young writers: the comma splice. Let’s take a look at what a comma splice is and how to fix it.
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