This week, I'll be covering some further usages of commas. Specifically, it will be about how to use commas when you have a correlative conjunction. A correlative conjunction consists of certain word pairs in a sentence. Here are some of them:
- Either ... or
-Neither ... nor
- Not ... but
- Both ... and
- Not only ... but also
- No sooner ... than
- Hardly ... when
- Scarcely ... when
When using any of these combinations, you don't need to use a comma between them. You only require a comma if there is a non-restrictive clause between the two words. Non-restrictive means that you can remove the clause, and the main clause's overall meaning will not change. Here are some examples of both cases:
- Either I travel to the mountains or the desert this week.
- Not only did Chris fear for Ren's life but also her other friends' lives too.
- Both job positions, which stem from online, will allow you to experience a management-level job.
- Neither the creature from the subway, who's called Callest, nor the creature from Cankerfell, Ether, ever have tried an ice cream sundae.
Again, this may vary depending on what version of English you're learning. This is based off of American English. Anyway, I hope that this helps!
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