Understanding the rules of comma usage in English can be tricky, particularly when it comes to using a comma before certain words. One often pondered question marks the use of comma before the word ‘when’. In this guide, I will walk you through the basics of comma usage related to ‘when’.
Usage of Comma in Compound Sentences
- In English grammar, independent clauses are joined by any of the seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. When ‘when’ is used as a coordinating conjunction, it is always preceded by a comma. Example: “I was at home, when it started raining.”
Commas After Introductory Clauses
- Generally, commas are used after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause. Common words that fall into this pattern include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while. Example: “When the clock strikes twelve, Cinderella must leave the ball.”
Essential and Non-essential Elements
- It’s vital to distinguish between essential and nonessential phrases or clauses. Essential elements don’t require commas, whilst nonessential ones do. This rule applies to ‘when’ clauses too. Example: “The time when we talk is the best part of my day” (essential, no comma) vs. “Our meeting, when I finally could talk, went smoothly” (nonessential, requires commas).
Comma with ‘And’
- Note that when ‘and’ connects two complete ideas or independent clauses, it needs a comma before it. However, when ‘and’ is used to join two verbs with the same subject, it doesn’t require a comma. Example: “I cooked dinner, and I cleaned the kitchen” vs. “I cooked dinner and cleaned the kitchen.”
Situational Usage
- There might be times when it’s optional to use a comma before ‘when’. If the clause following ‘when’ is short and doesn’t cause confusion, you can omit the comma. Example: “I’ll see you when you get home” is as valid as “I’ll see you, when you get home.”
Conclusions
Understanding the usage of comma before ‘when’ links to another part of mastering English punctuation. Though the rules might seem convoluted, consistent practice will enable you to instinctively know when to use it. When in doubt, always go back to the main point: does the comma make the sentence clearer? If the answer is yes, then using it might be a good idea. Note that there’s always room for exceptions and stylistic choices in English, providing much-needed flexibility.