Writing – When to use commas with AND, BUT, OR, FOR, SO, YET…

thank you. very good
rachel

rachel navok

james thank u for this program I like that

stevenson25

ulul.Thanks a bunch yourlesson is very helpf

vedrinefrantz@yahoo.com

Alex, you looking alluring..
thnx for amazing lesson, appreciate your affords..

Kate

thanks a lot Alex

Mona

Thanks Alex!
I fully understand the lesson. It’s very useful ??

Goldfish2101

Thank you for your lesson :)

nnn

thanks Alex!i’ll learn a lot from you.i hope so.

hoangtrongphu

we want more easy lesson like this one. lol. thanks Alex.

Efrain Dominguez

No problem!

Alex

“Do you prefer paper or plastic?” why we don’t need to put comma after paper?

avi123

you put a comma it you have a complete idea, subject and a verb, in other words, an independent clause, or a complete idea

manolete919

Thank you it was easy and nice lesson

bodi

thank you so much

sweetnicaragua

I would be grateful If you could give a reason why the sentence ” Do you prefer paper, or plastic” is wrong.

Regards,
goutham

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.

Alex

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 !!

zebra

thank you so much

lolo25

Thanks a million! I’m learning a lot with ”youse” (like Irish speak) haha
;D

vitor Borges

Haha. Nice.

Alex

great lesson!!! thank youuuu!! :)

luckita

Thank you Alex! (Sidney – Brazil)

Sidney

Thank you very much :)) Piotr from Poland :)

Piotrek

thanks

Ana Ferrer

thank you teacher Alex, this lesson is very important….

Odir

thanks mr alex

Abdelle

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.

sarah

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

sarah

“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)

Alex

thank you for the lesson
really you are amazing
I’m from Syria and I’m understand the lesson .

Manaf

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!

candorino

I meant “I would like to thank you for giving us this great lesson” instead what I wrote above.

candorino

big thanks , Alex

loyd

I like this site a lot, so I will visit everyday. Thank you.

feliciana

yeayy i got them all correct :D thx to Alex!!

didiatthas84

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.

Alex

Oops! I meant “were.”

Alex

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!

Dexter

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

Dexter

thank u soo muchhh ..:)

shaki

Thanks Alex

samreaksa

Awesome! thank you so much for the lesson.

tony

Thank you so much for this lesson! This question about commas was bothering me for a while. :)

justdreamer

Many Thanks. it is a good lesson.

pyuriy

thanks alot

moonrise

Thank u sir. I would like to learn more from this Site.You guys are doing wonderful job.

Dastan

hi, will you tell me the difference between reach, arrive and come??please also give lessons on daily use sentences spoken at home.

kausar

Good ideas for future lessons! Thank you!

Alex

hi all i found it very interesting!thk u

behonest78

this is good, thanks

marball

Great Lesson, you are a great teacher!

Ana

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?)

arquimedes

“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.

Alex

Hello Alex!
Thank you for your great lesson. I really didn’t know much about this matter.
Take care and bye

adurao

nice, nice , good job

hhakobyan

thank you so much teacher you are great

ana

thanks a lot Alex!

duda

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

Raissa

To take for granted means “to handle with levity”

Kenny

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.

Alex

please please we need a writing tutorial series to cover all writing subject in English

pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

roya

This would be a huge project! I hope we cover a lot of information!

Alex

I a’m an English Student, I am seeking a partner for conversation on the skype to improve my language.
My skype id ( sqsiddiqui )

Shah Qasim Siddiqui

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

AmanUllah

thank you Alex :-)

lawrencezarzour

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:)

ghazala zafar

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.”

Alex

thank you so much teacher alex.

jhun

nice! I learn a new gramar.

shahidul islam

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.”

Alex

thanks for your lesson. it’s very useful.

Kien

Thank you

win001

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??

PAO

Scored 5 out of 5 i love interacting and putting myself in the story

Eric DIXON

Thank you Alex

tejossh

Thank you so much

statar

thankyou.ive got perfect score!

macoy12

thank u sir. it is very helpful in writing.

imtiazahmad

Thank you Alex, this very useful

esphiritu

Thanks a bunch! Very useful and interseting and instructive and creative! :))

Gapusja

thank you great and useful

mohib

its good

gowri777

Thanks

polyanskinn

thank you from Colombia

licenciadomejia

pretty cool this lesson, i made only one mistake because i didn’t pay attention.

dani

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 .

hindoucha

There is almost no difference except for formality. “Perhaps” is more formal and is more commonly used in academic English.

Alex

thanks)

vusala

This is great,thanks.

hi! my name is John

i love you alex see ya later

ramesh ramee

thanks alex for your teaching us this extremely important lesson

abdi ali abdullahi

it really helps.. thanks engvid team.

kalyankaldate

thank you alex for this lesson. i want you to give us more lessons about punctuation.thank you so much again

jamal

it’s great, thanks!!

Olivia

Thanks Alex for explain to me .you’re good teacher and good teaching ,God bless you .

Momndad

Thanks alex, you”re realy a good teacher.

firdaus lutfi

thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu….*

sweetnicaragua

thank you!

momy68

Thanks Alex good job

ruben

thank you so much your lesson is verry helpul i like it

youussra

I don’t how to thank you !

Ahmad Hamedi

teacher thanks for your lessons!! they are very good!!

ninabaxter23

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!!

ninabaxter23

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

patilrr

“Would” is for possibility/condition.
“Should” is for advice/past regret. (“should have”)
“Could/Could have” are for ability/possibility.

Good luck!

Alex

Thanks a lot.
I want to be friend with native english speakers for improving my english skill. Is there anybody help me?

ozguraltunsogut

Thank you very much for this very professional teaching.

foued Hamouda

hi, I am a newer. i wanna improve my grammar ability and I will keep in touch with this site.

priya

Easily done. I need more…

Jalil

Wonderful I loved it. But I was wondering do you have other videos for other propositions. Full stops, exclamation mark ….etc. thanks

Aziz Asiry

Dear Alex,

the way you teach is brilliant,

saidnabi

Thanku Sir,
Its one of good lession.
Keep it up…Best of luck :)

gopi1992

this is woderful.
thank you, for you help

julian04

OMG! THANK Teacher for ur lesson! it is very useful! heheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Thu phuong

thank you… now i know the proper use of grammar. i learned a lot… its true very useful…

kyan

When i see you on my computer ,i m really in a class.Thank’s

salomon pierre

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

ellegresse

No. :) It’s only if the adjectives are from the same descriptive category (usually opinion) that you use commas.

Alex

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.

imansour

Thank Alex, this kind of word is common making some mistakes.

cgrilo81

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.

Naz

wow !!
you speak so clearly, i’m not good at English but i almost understand all what you spoke
Thank you so much

Red Waterfall

Wow thx

Saad

Alex, thank you very much!

Could you give me some examples with so and therefore, please? What’s the difference between them?

yankhonskiy

nice lesson….

RIJA AWAN

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”

Smith

Thank you many times

Ahmed

Thanks Alex and I need more…. Any way good job.

sahanms

thank you sooooooooooo much . i have the biggest problem in english . i cant make the sentence. how i can it ?

shebnem

the lesson was great and really helped me. thanks for everything you are doing for us. Take care

Diassana

Thank Alex, You are a good Teacher.

manejimmy

thanks Alex :)

sinem07

hi,thank u very much alex

lakshmi

what does mean by (I am broke)

sowndharya

That means I don’t have money.

kaezer

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.

leandroaraujo

Thanks I learned a necessary grammar structure , so I like your lessons .

Hemn

how do u take the quiz??

moecash24

thanks for your lessons ,you explain very good , congratulations

alejo

thankq

sheraz1

please teach me when to use with , to, for

mary

5/5,thanks teacher.

rabbani

Very nice lesson, Alex

Manahil

tks very much, my test have 5/5 score

nguyenhuyhoan

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.

Arian

Hi Alex,
I failed on “yet”.
Damn!

handwriting

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.

abuseifein

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.”

Alex

thank you very much for your explaination.

best regards.

Akram.

abuseifein

Hi, Alex,it’s a very good lesson. Thank you so much:)

yimi0793

Thank you Alex-you are a very good teacher.

Zibi-Poland

I’m learning about comma very well with your lessons. Thank you!

André

thank you so much Alex. ^__^

pannee

plz Mr Alex help us in linkers of writing

marwa

thanks you so much. i have learned one concept today.

sujith

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..

Petilinda

can we have more exercices with colon, semeicole, and commas. Thank you

clabady

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.

Suadah

Phrasal verbs are extremely important to understanding English. I’ll definitely have more lessons about them in the future.

Alex

unbelievable! i made 1 mistake! ha ha

Apple

Explain this;
I like coffee, but my wife doesn’t ,

Abdulmonam

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.

Alex

Explain this;
My brother can’t speak Spanish, and neither can I .

Abdulmonam

thanxx alot alex for the lesson

abdulrazak

My English is so racist ,but you are amazing thank you so much god will bless you!

Alex

What do you mean your English is “racist”? That’s a little strange to say!

Alex

hi alex I want know the difference between the simple past and present perfect

weely900

I got 5 correct!!! of 5 ..Wow.
Thank you so much for your lesson.

Iralma

Thanks Alex Thanks Eng Vids

Saeed

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

Ala’a

Thanks a lot, I found the lesson really useful.

isacas

its easy and cool

praveen

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.

vinu

your videos are seriously awesome and are helping me alot

STRIKER

Dear Alex, Id like to know the use for Yet , cause thats not clear for me

juansala88

Dear Alex I wana know the steps of writing a paragraph And thanks for the lessen .

Khalid

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!

Vanessa Valentin

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.

Ilyas hotak

Thank you sir

sujeewafernando

thank you for these interesting lesson you are really a great teacher im injiying your lessons

hayet

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.

Malen

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. :)

mckenzie

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…

ngockhanh

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 ?

ngockhanh

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 :)

nicola33

hi Alex may you help me in countable and uncountable nouns its really difficult to me

please

Ahlam

hi Alex whats difference between this sentence
I like drawing ,and football.
I like coffee ,and i like tea.

kejo

Thanks!

ljone84

Great online course, sure beats going back to school after 30 yrs

Dom

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?

sweetshit

is really good

mariadelcarmend

it was alright

jesus11

?………………..

jesus11

that was boring

jillian

i love this vido thankes

jillian

thank you for helping fanboys Alex

Vincent Gibson

WAZZZ UP

jesus11

WHAT THE HAEK MAN

jesus11

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

hhaqmal

thanks

weely900

i want to know the difference between the simple past and present perfect please

weely900

yes, I got an 80

Gladis

hi Alex,I am try to learn English, but I can’t understand . I want easy way to learn please give me your advice.

sara

the use of the punctuation is very important, thanks Alex!

crayong

Thanks, Alex.

talaat1972

This video is really useful. Thanks for sharing! I love this website. :D

invictus

Thanks for the lesson, Mr. Alex as My favorite teacher.

adhafirst12

thank you so much for this lesson.
can u please clarify my other doubt.
can i read this story?
do i read this story?
which one is correct? i read in many grammar books can expresses ability but lot of people use can for general things also why?

vinglish

Thank you. In the sentence “None of my friends were available”, ‘None’ is in singular form, so the verb should be ‘was’. This is how I was taught during my childhood. But, you put ‘were’ which is confusing me. Please elaborate.

shans

It confused me too. Please answer to us, Alex.

daniyar

(y)

faribanr

Thanks ALex

faribanr

dear alex!
with ” or” I needn’t use comma, do I?

rocky89

Mr.Alex :/ why didn’t you explain the word “yet” :(( i cannot use that word, i guess that shows i didn’t get its usage. I need more ‘yet’ sentences to understand. Can you help me? :/

Erkin

ႊThanks ,Alex.I saw you online just today and I am glad because your teaching is very interested to me.

Moe Ko

I got 5 from 5
Thank you teacher for short lesson

TAREQ BEK

I got 5 from 5
Thank you teacher for short lesson.

TAREQ BEK

alex i like how the way you teach you can speak in a neutral accent and in a very clear and the way you talk it’s perfect coz it’s not so fast that anyone can really pick up the words you say. so thanks a lot for teaching us , i’m glad you guys are doing this for free. so good luck and take care. –

snuff

what’s the rule for sentences that use only the comma and sentences that uses only the conjunctions “and, but, or and because”.
i.e. My apartment has 2 bedrooms. My apartment has 1 1/2 bathrooms.
The oven was sold in 1951. Every didn’t buy it until 1960.

ambrose

Also sentences such as: 1.I would either like the blue car. I would like the red car.
2.Birds fly in the air. Birds have wings.
3.My daughter is having a birthday party. My daughter is 5 yrs old.
4.I will always remember 9-11. It was a tragic day.
5.The sky is blue. There are no clouds in the sky.
6. I wanted to go outside and play. Unfortunately it is raining.
7. For centuries people ate with their hands. A change occurred when when utensils showed up.

ambrose

Thank you sir! very useful lesson.

thiruselvi

I usually go for a walk, but today it is raining, so i will stay at home. This is my sentence with three conjunctions. Thank you for this lesson.

Nasazarada

Thanks 60%

Abdul Qayum

i got 80% thanks for the info.

armand.a.lagunero

Thanks! 100%

iamjk7

Hi Alex.I got 4 out of 5.Many thanks.

chisengakunda@rocketmail.com

I got 100. Uh uh!

odilio

The lesson is little bit hard to me.Thank you Mr. Alex.

H M RONI CHOWDHURY

thanks v good

Badr Salem

Comma is an important punctuation because indicates the exact meaning of the sentence. The policeman says, Jim is stupid. The policeman says Jim, is stupid. Thank you for that great lesson.
Cheers from Greece.

pafsilipoclub

THANKS TEACHER ..❤️

M . ALDOSSARY

thanks

jonasyov

Thanks a lot teacher Alex! I’m learning a lot! I always got a 100 points! I love ENGVID!!!!

aileenmkho

Thanks for your teaching!

Iamhere.

Usefull, 80 %. Thanks.

alpido24

hey alex… I encountered a sentence ( Should we really care for the greatest actors of the past could we have them before us? )…. I’m totally confused.. and have question.. shouldn’t there something to separate “past” and “could”…???? plz help…

kumarmahesh386

Sir, thank you so much for your wonderful lessons. It really helps me a lot.

Thinles Dorje

Thanks alex .. i just want to ask you something .. can we use ( and ) without putting comma ?

darkstar

very good teacher :)

gelayol

100/100. Thanks for the lessons.

Raheel Babar

Thank you Alex..

Trilover12

4/5 yessss

khawla sdour

I HAVE ONE QUESTION. WHILE I AM PREPARING FOR IELTS , I FOUND IT’S DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND GRAMMAR STRUCTURE FOR THIS WHAT YOU EXPLAINED , I MEAN WHETHER I SHOULD WRITE (S+V+O)SIMPLE PAST TENSE ,AND (S+V+O) SIMPLE PAST ONLY OR I. SIMPLE PAST AND ANOTHER ONE IS ANY PAST TENSE PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME OUT I HAVE NO PLEASE GIVE REPLY

pavan144

I HAVE NO TIME WITHIN 3 DAYS I HAVE EXAM

pavan144

thinks Alex

boulaiche Rachid

THANK YOU ALEX…

jarah.ALSAAD.20

Thanks, appreciated

ammaryounus

thank u alex.

samanth

Thanks Alex

archemrah

Thank u alex good class

Buluk

Thank you :)

Sonam

Great ! thanx a lot :)

pombox

I really enjoy watching your videos.

Eola

Hi Alex. Thank you for your lesson it was really helpful. I also would like to Know when we use AND/ NOT and BUT / YET as I have never seen that conjuntions before. Thaks Alex.

lunaika37

Thanks!

J007

Alex can you create the lesson about all type of conjuction words, and tell about each kind of conjuction words in more great details. Thanks

Mr.Helmsman

I have learned so many thing with Alex. Great Teacher. Thanks

Mucio

sorry. things

Mucio

I appreciate your efforts, thank you so much

Es-Salhy

can you give the more information about conjunction

MD.shahabuddin09m43

Thanks good explanation.

Igor

thank you very much Really appreciate it

ahmed alkshbre

Hi teacher. Thanks a lot .

Soei

80. thank you Alex :)

saeful

i am an average student, yet i was able to make it correct…..

shiju sadanandan

“She has three pairs of shoes, but she likes the red ones best.” In this case, I wouldn’t use a comma. In my opinion, the second idea is not independent, because if I only said “she likes the red ones best”, we wouldn’t know we are talking about shoes. She could like anything else. But as you can’t be wrong, there is something wrong in my thought. What is it, Alex?