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Punctuation rules

Period or full stop


Commas 


Common Mistakes with Commas

There are three mistakes which English learners often make with commas. Let’s look at them so that you can, hopefully, avoid making them!
1. Don’t put a comma between a subject and its verb:
  • The people we met on holiday, were very nice. —> Incorrect
  • Everything in those cupboards, needs to be packed in boxes. —> Incorrect
2. Don’t use a comma before that:
  • She told me, that she wanted to move to London. —> Incorrect
  • I had no idea, that he could speak Japanese! —> Incorrect
3. Don’t use a comma to join two sentences if you don’t use a linking word:
  • I think this will be a good year, I’m sure of it. —> Incorrect
  • He told me that he’s planning to go to the gym every day, of course he’ll give up in the first week.—> Incorrect

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