1) |
to separate independent clauses |
The workers demanded extra pay, but the management refused to give it.
|
2) |
after introductory |
a) If you don't finish it tonight, you'll be late. |
3) |
when |
a) Jill, who was sitting behind her desk, gave Tim a smile.
|
4) |
to set off three or more words, phrases or main clauses in a series. |
She went into the office, sat down at her desk, and started surfing the Net. |
5) |
to set off two or more coordinate adjectives if the meaning does not change when the order is altered. |
We had to travel over several narrow, winding, dangerous roads. |
6) |
at the end of a sentence in order to indicate a pause. |
He was just ignorant, not stupid. |
7) |
to set off a nonrestrictive (also non-defining) relative clause². |
Unitech, which was established in 1992, employs over 750 workers. |
8) |
when someone is addressed directly. |
Richard, can you do me a big favour? |
9) |
to show an appositive³. |
Chris Patton, former governor of Hong Kong, is still very popular in Hong Kong. |
10) |
in dates. |
Yes, May 11, 20xx, was the date of the last AGM. |
11) |
in front of tag questions. |
You've met this client before, haven't you? |
12) |
after digits indicating thousands. |
10,000 |