Writing - Comma 4

If John had given me a lift, I wouldn't have had to take a taxi.
Use a comma after a subordinate/dependent clause when it begins a sentence. Other subordinate conjunctions:
after, although, as, because, before, even if, even though, in order that, once, provided that, rather than, since, so that, than, that, though, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, whether, while.
We don't usually put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it!
Common Errors:
She'll telephone you when she's finished . X no comma - WHEN is in the middle of the sentence
When she's finished, she'll telephone you. V WHEN begins the sentence

The watch which you gave me last week is missing.
A defining relative clause tells which noun we are talking about. Commas are not used in defining relative clauses.
Common Errors:
The girl, who we met the day before yesterday, is very nice. X never use commas in defining relative clauses!
The girl who we met the day before yesterday is very nice. V no comma

Miriam's grandson, Felix, is a web designer.
The comma is used before or surrounding the name or title of a person directly addressed.
Common Errors:
Sarah please stop jumping on the bed. X comma required!
Sarah, please stop jumping on the bed. V comma after the name

Yes, the plane will arrive tomorrow morning at 5:45.
A comma is put after common introductory words yes, however, well etc.
Common Errors:
I'm glad to be here today. However I didn't come here to talk about myself. X comma required!
I'm glad to be here today. However, I didn't come here to talk about myself. V comma after HOWEVER

Greg went shopping yesterday. He bought a jacket, shirt and belt.
A comma is used to separate items in a list (nouns and adjectives). If you have more than two nouns or more than one adjective, you need to separate them with commas.
Common Errors:
He bought coffee, tea, beer, vodka. X AND must be included between BEER and VODKA
He bought coffee, tea, beer, and vodka. V the comma before AND is optional
He bought coffee, tea, beer and vodka. V AND must be included

Not having a driving licence, he finds it difficult to get around.
When the participial phrase comes before a main clause, it is followed by a comma.
Common Errors:
Feeling hungry I ordered a pizza by phone. X comma required!
Feeling hungry, I ordered a pizza by phone. V comma after the participial phrase

I could make some sandwiches, or we could order a takeaway.
A comma is used to separate two strong clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
You can omit the comma if the clauses are both short.
Common Errors:
Hans is German but Julia is English. X comma required!
Hans is German, but Julia is English. V independent clause + independent clause

The longer I sit in front of my computer, the more my eyes suffer.
We use a comma in the middle of a sentence which contains the more ... , the more ... or the more ... the less… construction.
Common Errors:
The more I know her the less I like her. X comma required!
The more I know her, the less I like her. V comma in the middle of the sentence