Phrases having a couple of meanings by no means fail to make maximum, if no longer all, language freshmen scratch their heads.
To make the scalp bleed a bit of, we will be able to additionally mix the intricacies at the back of the punctuation gadget, particularly the infamous comma.
Smartly, happily sufficient, these days’s submit will allow you to do away with that seborrheic dermatitis. You realize, dandruff.
Learn on to know extra about how to punctuate the phrase “like” with a pre-comma correctly.
Table of Contents
When must we position a comma before “like”?
“Like” is punctuated with a pre-comma when it’s used as a filler phrase, used after an introductory expression, introduces a parenthetical commentary halfway or on the finish of the sentence, in addition to when it sounds as if after a mid-sentence parenthetical interruption. While, no comma must come before “like” when it’s used as a verb, preposition, conjunction, noun, and adjective in a non-parenthetical nor serial way.
Defining the phrase “like”
Albeit superficially simple to perceive, the phrase “like” accommodates a number of meanings, and it additionally belongs to a number of portions of speech.
Figuring out its denotative meaning relies on how it’s used inside a sentence, and understanding how it purposes would assist us in our comma resolution.
Listed here are the other faces of “like” at the side of some examples.
The verb “like”
“To love anyone” method to be keen on the individual, whilst “to like one thing” method to desire a sure object.
April and Beth like Kpop stars.
Within the sentence above, the topics are keen on the performers discussed, because of this they idolize this team of other folks.
Then again, the article within the context of the following sentence, the meaning of “like” method “to need.”
They would love to have some espresso.
The preposition “like”
“Like” too can serve as as a preposition equivalent to “as” in a single sense and equivalent to “as an example” or “comparable to” in some other.
To understand whether or not “like” is purposes as a preposition, we’ve got to test the next phrase which wishes to be a noun or a noun word.
Right here’s how to use “like” to mean “as.”
She seems like a carrot in that get dressed.
And, right here’s how to use “like” to mean “as an example” or “comparable to.”
Phrases like “get” and “have” may also be complicated.
The conjunction “like”
The conjunctive sense of “like” is identical to “as” or “as though” however adopted by way of a clause relatively than a noun or noun word.
Right here’s how to use that.
It sort of feels like I simply gave start to him the previous day.
The adverb “like”
Apparently, we will be able to additionally use “like” as an adverb as a filler phrase when we will be able to’t pay money for the precise time period simply, particularly within the casual, spoken language.
I will be able to’t consider how Aubrey was once, like, so unbothered by way of the odor.
Or, we will be able to additionally use it to casually document a speech utilized by someone else to move on some knowledge to a hearer or reader.
And he went like “What on earth have you ever completed to your hair?!”
The noun “like”
As a noun, “like” additionally method the rest that can be regarded as as a desire.
Everybody has likes and dislikes.
Within the virtual age, the nominal sense of the phrase “like” has develop into a type of a social validation device.
This photograph has simplest were given one like.
Or, it will additionally mean “equivalent pieces or issues,” which may be a technique to learn the abbreviation “and many others.”
Town discourages throwing non-biodegradable pieces, comparable to plastic bottles, tin cans, disposable utensils, and the like
The adjective “like”
The adjectival sense of “like” additionally denotes the meaning “the similar” or “equivalent to,” however it’s utilized in entrance of a noun.
As anticipated, she disobeyed her folks in like way.
Your entire word “in like way” is identical to the adverb “in a similar fashion” or “in the similar approach.”
Instances during which a comma before “like” is vital
We typically have to use commas after we discuss phrase collection, however there are a number of different issues excluding that.
When unsure, the default research on whether or not or no longer a comma must be positioned is to test how very important the phrase, word, or clause is in a sentence.
In fact, those explanations are inadequate in illustrating how commas paintings, so right here’s a listing of stipulations that information the pre-comma placement to the phrase “like.”
When like is used as a filler phrase
Filler phrases are grammatically-inessential sentence components as a result of they don’t comprise meaning as a rule.
When used as a filler phrase, a comma must be positioned before “like,” in addition to after it.
And, up to imaginable, we’ve got to steer clear of the use of filler phrases in writing, in order that we will be able to get rid of unconsciously the use of them all through formal correspondence.
Right here’s an instance of the use of “like” as a filler phrase.
Good day, that’s truly, like, fantastic!
When “like” comes after a sentence’s creation
Introductory components are used to supply an preliminary context to the reader or attach a prior to now discussed concept.
All introductory expressions are offset with a comma before the primary concept is available in.
So, a comma must come before “like” when it comes after an introductory expression, regardless of the a part of speech it belongs to.
Consequently, like what came about before, her request has been rejected.
When “like” introduces a parenthesis or non-restrictive knowledge
A parenthesis is a syntactically non-restrictive commentary added to create emphasis, rationalization, or opinion.
Parenthetical remarks are spark off with commas to mark their grammatical removability in a sentence.
The commas additionally assist in developing prosody or rhythm that guides the reader in understanding that the ideas must be learn with emphasis.
Once more, inessential sentence components are to be spark off with commas, and due to this fact, a equivalent concept applies to the phrase “like” when it introduces parenthetical knowledge.
Right here’s a mid-sentence parenthesis.
He can’t simply forgive and omit, like his dad, and that’s why he isn’t responding to your texts.
And, right here’s a sentence-final parenthesis.
This fragrance smells so excellent that it has at all times been the best-seller, like actual jasmine in bloom.
When “like” is used after a parenthesis or non-restrictive knowledge
Now that we all know that we will be able to insert parenthetical remarks both halfway or on the finish of a sentence, this situation shouldn’t be a difficult nut to crack.
Since a mid-sentence parenthesis ends with a comma, the similar comma must additionally precede “like” each time it comes after a parenthetical commentary.
Right here’s an instance to constitute the reason.
As you’ll see, they get alongside beautiful smartly at the moment, which is superb, like espresso and cream.
When is a comma before “like” unsuitable?
Now that we’ve got enumerated the ideas on pre-comma utilization, let’s additionally have a look at the stipulations guiding the unsuitable comma placement.
In all the circumstances beneath, the theory is that the phrase “like” is very important to the holistic meaning of the sentence it belongs to.
Therefore, no comma must be discovered before it.
When “like” is non-serially and non-parenthetically used as a verb
The verb “like” is continuously utilized in conveying a sense of fondness, desire, need, or want.
It seems that, we’ve got to make positive that “like” isn’t utilized in collection nor parenthesis to meet this situation.
Hanging a comma before “like” is grammatically unsuitable within the sentence beneath.
I love spending lazy hours by way of the seashore.
When “like” is non-serially and non-parenthetically used as a preposition
Some other situation is when “like” purposes as a preposition that denotes the meaning “equivalent to.”
Once more, a comma turns into unsuitable when the preposition “like” is an very important component within the sentence.
And thus, putting off the prepositional word would make the sentence problematic or ambiguous.
She truly seems like Amy Schumer.
When “like” is non-serially and non-parenthetically used as a conjunction
The use of like as a conjunction that connects both a dependent or unbiased clause additionally makes the pre-comma placement beside the point.
In the similar vein as previous, the conjunction “like” must no longer be used parenthetically, nor serially, to make this situation legitimate.
It sort of feels like he were shot point-blank.
We additionally discussed paragraphs in the past that nonessential remarks may also be got rid of from the sentence with out hurting grammaticality, proper?
The clause presented by way of “like” within the remaining instance is a very powerful to the meaning of the entire sentence as it simplest leaves the next knowledge when taken away.
It sort of feels.
When “like” is non-serially and non-parenthetically used as a noun
Nouns can serve as as topics or gadgets in a sentence, and clearly, they are able to even be serially indexed or parenthetically used.
Then again, if those two stipulations are excluded, no comma must come before “like” when it purposes as a noun, comparable to within the instance beneath.
Even if he’s were given the large C, he nonetheless eats processed meals, sugary pastries, barbecues, and the like.
Even supposing striking a comma before “like” can be unsuitable within the instance above, the comma before all of the word “and the like” is not obligatory.
When “like” is non-serially and non-parenthetically used as an adjective
When “like” is used as an adjective that implies “equivalent,” and a noun is to be discovered in a while.
The use of a comma before “like” in its adjectival sense may be incorrect, no longer until it introduces parenthetical knowledge.
She and her best good friend are of like minds.
The opposite not unusual words the use of “like” as an adjective are “in like way” and “of like skills,” and it can be used within the compounded shape as in “like-minded” or “widespread.”
Steadily Requested Questions on “like” with regards to commas
Will have to we use a comma before “like” in a simile?
Most often, “like” in similes aren’t punctuated with a pre-comma as in “He eats like a panda.” “Like” continuously purposes as a preposition in similes, which is an very important sentence component. Then again, a pre-comma can be vital if the comparability presented by way of “like” is used as a parenthetical commentary inside the sentence.
Do we’ve got to position a comma before “like” in a comparability?
The solution relies on whether or not the comparability is an very important a part of the holistic meaning of the sentence. Whether it is, then a comma must no longer be positioned as in “He beverages alcohol like a camel.” Then again, a comma can be vital for the next sentence: “He has at all times been an alcoholic, and he at all times beverages an excessive amount of, like a camel in Saraha.”
When do we’d like a comma after “like”?
A comma after “like” can be vital if it’s the remaining phrase in an introductory expression, the final word in a mid-sentence parenthesis, the final word in a frontal clause in a compound sentence, and the final word in a frontal clause in a reversed-order complicated sentence.
Conclusion
Figuring out the entire phrases present in a language, in addition to grammatical laws, is relatively a quixotic strive.
However, phrase classification and working out repetitive patterns within the punctuation gadget are in reality possible.
Writing is probably not for everybody, however, in any case, excellent writing ability is vital to wholesome knowledge sharing and intake which might be vital for the virtual generation.
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