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do you need a comma before unless

by Merlin Dietrich Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

The clause which follows unless is a subordinate clause (sc): it needs a main clause (mc) to make a complete sentence. When unless comes before the main clause, we use a comma: Unless [SC]it rains, [MC]we'll go for a picnic by the river tomorrow. (We'll go for a picnic by the river tomorrow if it doesn't rain.)2 days ago

Full Answer

Should you put a comma before or after anyway?

If “anyway” is being used as a conjunctive adverb, whether you need a comma before it depends on its place in the sentence. If the word “anyway” is placed after a sentence’s initial clause, you should place a semi-colon before it instead of a comma. The word takes no comma before it if placed at the beginning or end of a sentence.

Do you always put a comma before as always?

In these circumstances it should have a comma before it. If you can replace while with as, then it shouldn't have a comma before it. It is just a normal subordinating conjunction. If you can replace while with whereas then you should use a comma before it because it is being used as an adverb of concession.

When to use and with a comma?

Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names. Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation. Use commas wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading.

What are the rules for using a comma?

  • Commas don't just signify pauses in a sentence — precise rules govern when to use this punctuation mark.
  • Commas are needed before coordinating conjunctions, after dependent clauses (when they precede independent clauses), and to set off appositives.
  • The Oxford comma reduces ambiguity in lists.
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How do you use unless in a sentence?

You'll be sick unless you stop eating. I won't pay if you don't provide the goods immediately. I won't pay unless you provide the goods immediately.

How do you use unless and until in a sentence?

I can't refund you your money until and unless you send me original receipts. I can't start work on this project unless and until the plans are approved. Note that present tenses are used with both until and unless to indicate future time.

How do you start a sentence with unless?

If you want to use UNLESS in this way, you can use this word at the beginning of the sentence or in the middle of the sentence.Unless I had had no homework, I would come with you.Unless my manager told me that I have to work until midnight, you would invite me, right?She would be here unless her mom allowed to be.

What tense is used before unless after Unless?

Unless can be used with present, past and past perfect tenses. Use unless with present tenses when talking about the future.

Which is correct until and unless or unless and until?

“Until” is a conjunction that is used to refer to the time that took place before an incident while the word “unless” is a conjunction that is used in the same manner as the words “if” and “except.” 2. “Until” means “up to the time” while “unless” means “under the circumstances.”

Is using until and unless grammatically correct?

The words unless and until are often used together but their meanings are different, and often confused. Unless refers to a condition not being met while until refers to a time threshold not being crossed.

Is unless a coordinating conjunction?

A conjunction is a word that joins words, phrases or clauses. e.g., but, and, because, although, since, unless, or, nor, yet for, so, while,where, etc.

How do you teach to use unless?

The easiest way to explain “unless” is to say it is the equivalent of a negative if-clause. If I do NOT win the lottery, I will not be able to buy a car. Unless I win the lottery, I will not be able to buy a car. This explanation is a good introduction to unless-clauses, but it is not the whole story.

What kind of conjunction is unless?

Subordinating conjunctionsSubordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that are used at the beginning of subordinate clauses. Some examples of these conjunctions are; although, after, before, because, how, if, once, since, so that, until, unless, when etc.

Can we use unless and not unless in the same grammatical situation?

Unless is used to describe something that will happen if something else doesn't happen. For example, "I will walk to school unless it rains," which means that I will walk to school if it does not rain. "Not unless" is a little more situational.

Can I use negative after Unless?

Note that the sentence after unless is always a positive sentence. You cannot have a negative sentence after unless because that would make the sentence a double negative and senseless. Example: Unless you don't study, you will fail .

When to use "also" in a sentence?

When ‘also’ begins a sentence, it’s usually a linking word that applies to the whole following sentence, not the verb, e.g. “Bring your guitar to the party. Also, don’t forget to pick up Sally.”. But ‘also’ can apply to an adjective that refers back to the previous sentence, e.g. “Molly is a very talented young woman.

Can you use "unless" without a comma?

No. A valid sentence without a comma before "unless" might be "One should do this as prescribed unless one doesn't mind failing.". The sentence as written is an observation, but if there were a comma before "unless," it would be a veiled warning. A2Aed. Not necessarily.

Do you have to put a comma at the end of a sentence?

You never ‘have to’ use a comma or semi-colon; sometimes they are, however, USEFUL. So no, it is not NECESSARY to place a comma at the end of a phrase, no matt. Continue Reading. I am seeing questions like this pretty often - ‘do I put a comma before’ or ‘do I put a semi-colon before’.

Do you put a comma before "unless"?

If you do want to use a comma before unless or anything like it, then make sure the pause the comma represents is relevant and necessary. The second sentence turns the unless clause into a warning.

When to use a comma in a list?

When you have a list that contains more than two elements, use commas to separate them. Julie loves ice cream books and kittens. Julie loves ice cream, books, and kittens. Julie loves ice cream, books and kittens. (The comma before the and in a list of three or more items is optional.

What does a comma mean in a sentence?

While a period ends a sentence, a comma indicates a smaller break. Some writers think of a comma as a soft pause—a punctuation mark that separates words, clauses, or ideas within a sentence.

What is a nonrestrictive clause?

A nonrestrictive clause offers extra information about something you have mentioned in a sentence, but the information isn’t essential to identify the thing you’re talking about. Nonrestrictive clauses are usually introduced by which or who and should be set off by commas.

When to use parentheses in a sentence?

Parentheses are used to give additional information to the reader—information that would disrupt the flow of the sentence if written as a nonrestrictive clause. Commas may be placed after the closing parenthesis but not before either the opening or the closing parenthesis. If the sentence would not require any commas if the parenthetical statement were removed, the sentence should not have any commas when the parentheses are added.

When do you need a conjunction?

When you want to join two independent clauses , you need a conjunction or a semicolon. A comma alone isn’t strong enough to join them. This kind of mistake is called a comma splice.

When do you get a compound predicate?

You get a compound predicate when the subject of a sentence is doing more than one thing. In a compound predicate that contains two verbs, don’t separate them with a comma.

How to tell if an adjective is coordinate?

One way to tell whether the adjectives are coordinate is to try switching the order of them . If the sentence still sounds natural, the adjectives are coordinate.

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Using 'Unless' in Mid-Sentence

  • General rule
    In the middle of a sentence, we do not typically place a comma before a clause introduced by "unless" or another subordinating conjunction. We'll go for a walk unless it rains. There are particular situations, however, where you may need a comma before "unless". For example, use …
  • Introducing warning signals
    Look at this sentence: You have to do the job properly, unlessyou want to get fired. In the example above, "unless you want to get fired"is just a warning signal. It emphasizes the main part of the sentence without changing its basic meaning. The comma conveys that getting fired is not a like…
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'Unless' at The Beginning of A Sentence

  • The conjunction "unless" always introduces a dependent clause ("Unless Olivia studies a bit harder"in the example below). Unless Olivia studies a bit harder,she won't pass the exam. When starting a sentence with a dependent clause, add a comma after it. Unless we leave now,we'll miss the flight. Unless we leave nowwe'll miss the flight. Another example: Unless you take a bre…
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More Examples

  1. You won't solve your daily life problems unless you practice yoga or deep breathing exercises.
  2. Unless it's an emergency,you should not use the cell phone during the meeting.
  3. We'll experience air pollution, scarcity of water, and loss of biodiversity, unless we take care of our planet.
  4. Unless it is absolutely necessary to run the software in your system,disable it.
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Conclusion

  • Follow these simple guidelines to determine whether to place a comma before "unless": 1. In general, do not use a comma in front of "unless" in mid-sentence. 2. When introducing a sentence with the conjunction "unless", insert a comma after the first clause.
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