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A dependent clause has a subject and a verb; a phrase does not. ...after lunch (phrase) ...after we ate lunch (clause) ...since Friday (phrase) ...since I left Friday (clause) ...before the sess...

We have to be aware when the word "that" is omitted -- which usually makes something a dependent clause, needing no comma, rather than an independent clause, which would need a comma. ...Suppose ...

The phrase "such as" is punctuated according to the rules of essential/nonessential. ...The sciences such as chemistry and physics are viewed to be... ...Cars such as Ford and GM are beyond... .....

A recent FB answer to why the first kind of tag clauses take a comma and why there cannot be a comma before the word "right" by itself. "Didn't you' and "has he" echo the words of the question. Th...

What do we do with "...my son Scott...?" Comma or not? This is the "essential/nonessential" dilemma, the hardest concept in all of punctuation. I would suggest that you read the entire chapter in...

The word "though," when it is alone in the middle of the sentence, is surrounded by commas. ...I think he knew, though, that this was the end. ...He was standing, though, near the door. At the en...

A frequent statement on FB by those asking for punctuation help: "The attorney keeps using run-on sentences." Just a note of clarification: Run-on sentences are created by bad punctuation. They ca...

...We were there, know what I mean, with them, know what I mean, when one of them drew a gun, know what I mean, and began to threaten everyone. Happy punctuating! Margie

When someone has a language "glitch" and uses a word or phrase over and over, that word or phrase is surrounded by commas. ...He was, like, on the, you know, edge that day. ...The company, like, y...