phoenixcollege<learningcenter<owl<punctuation;commas<rule11

Rule #11 Commas and Opposites

 

Rule: Use a comma before words such as but, not, rather than, and unlike to show a strong contrast with the rest of the sentence.

          Examples:      She likes to shop, unlike her brother.

                              He took her to the dance, rather than me.

Sometimes you need two commas.

         Example:      She, unlike her brother, likes to shop.

*Writing Tip: Don't confuse but when it is shows contrast. It is not a coordinating conjunction here.

      

	Example-Contrast:	No one wanted pizza, but he.
	Example-Coordinating Conjunction:	I didn't do my homework, but he did.

                              

            

 

previous rule	Comma Rules	next rule
OWL HOME
Phoenix College    |    English Department    |    ESL    |    Learning Center