Ablil
How to connect independent and dependent clauses like this one: He went to the doctor (independent) Because he was ill (dependent) Should I use a comma or not ?
Apr 12, 2016 4:18 PM
Answers · 6
For a short sentence of this sort, you don't need the comma. But it's not wrong, and if you have a long sentence with extended clauses, it can help the rhythm. Also, it can sometime help disambiguate, which can happen particularly in negative constructions. Consider "He didn't go to the doctor because he was sick." Maybe he went because he knew the doctor socially. Or maybe he had to cancel a routine appointment because he wasn't feeling well enough to leave the house. A comma would make it clear that something of the second sort happened.
April 12, 2016
No. You don't use a comma with 'because'. He went to the doctor because he was ill.
April 12, 2016
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!