does this sentence need a comma? "next time you see a bat don't be afaird.
Don't forget to capitalize the first word in the sentence: Next time you see a bat, don't be afraid. The tendency nowadays is to use fewer commas than in the past, but I like a comma here.
Sra
Sra is correct. There needs to be a comma after "bat" -- AND a capital letter at the beginning of every sentence!
Comma use #3 -- http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm
Yes, the sentence "Next time you see a bat, don't be afraid" needs a comma. The comma is required to separate the dependent clause ("next time you see a bat") from the main clause ("don't be afraid"). This helps improve the clarity and readability of the sentence.
To determine whether a sentence needs a comma, you can follow these steps:
1. Identify the independent and dependent clauses in the sentence. The independent clause is a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence, while the dependent clause relies on the independent clause and cannot stand alone.
- In this case, the independent clause is "don't be afraid," and the dependent clause is "next time you see a bat."
2. Determine whether the dependent clause comes before or after the independent clause.
- In this example, the dependent clause "next time you see a bat" comes before the independent clause "don't be afraid."
3. If the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, use a comma to separate the two.
- Therefore, a comma is needed in this sentence, as it helps clarify the separation between the dependent clause and the independent clause.
Remember, punctuation rules can be complex, and there are specific cases where comma usage may vary. It's always a good idea to consult a grammar resource or style guide for further guidance.