Commas

Level 5

Comma before ali and iako, optional before jer; no comma before da after znam.

How It Works

Bosnian uses commas more often than English does. These are the common places.

Before ali, iako, nego and već, and if you like before jer: Ostajem kući, jer sam bolestan. Volim kafu, ali ne pijem je uvečer.
In a list: Kupila sam hljeb, sir i jaja. No comma comes before the last i.
After a name you call: Amire, dođi ovamo.
Around an extra remark: Moj komšija, Hasan, radi u pošti.

A da clause after a verb of knowing or thinking usually has no comma: Znam da dolaziš. Mislim da je to dobro.

But da after a clause that expresses a purpose often takes one: Učim svaki dan, da bih položio ispit. Writers differ here, so you may see both.

A relative clause with koji is also set off: Imam brata, koji živi u Beču. That comma is not needed when the clause tells which person you mean.

Ostajem kući, jer sam bolestan.
I am staying home because I am ill.
A comma may come before jer.
Volim kafu, ali ne pijem je uvečer.
I like coffee, but I do not drink it in the evening.
A comma comes before ali.
Kupila sam hljeb, sir i jaja.
I bought bread, cheese and eggs.
Commas separate the items.
Znam da dolaziš.
I know you are coming.
No comma before da after znam.
Lejla, čekaj me ispred škole.
Lejla, wait for me outside the school.
A comma follows the name you call out.

Putting a comma before da after znam.
Znam, da dolaziš.
Znam da dolaziš.
After a verb of knowing, the da clause usually has no comma. Older texts sometimes have one.

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

CommasLevel 5

Comma rules.

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