A comma ( , ) separates elements within a sentence. When a
sentence
is read aloud, a breath is taken when a comma occurs.
Using Commas Properly
1) Place a comma before a coordinating conjunction
joining two complete
clauses.
He opened the door, and he saw his mother.
2) Place a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clause.
First, he should calm down.
3) Use commas between items in a series.
Sue bought blank CDs, CD labels, and jewel cases.
4) Place a comma between coordinate adjectives.
If the adjectives may
be joined by and or interchanged without damaging
the sentence’s meaning,
the adjectives are coordinate.
Her grandmother was a tender, kind lady.
Cumulative adjectives do not require commas.
Cumulative adjectives refer
to age, color, dimension, length, matter, origin,
nationality, religion, shape,
size, or substance.
The small Buddhist American apologized to his friends.
The beautiful pink sweater was expensive.
5) Use commas to set apart nonrestrictive clauses.
Nonrestrictive clauses
provide interesting but nonessential information.
That car, which never works properly, needs to be replaced.
6) Place a comma after a conjunctive adverb
joining two complete clauses.
Remember that the conjunctive adverb should be
preceded by a semicolon.
Dr. Jennings is a fair man; however, his standards are extreme.
7) Use commas to set apart parenthetical expressions.
Their grand trip, a total waste of time, ended last week.
8) Use commas to set apart phrases expressing
contrast unless these phrases
are extremely short phrases preceded by but.
Her mother, not her father, rescued her from drowning.
She is a powerful but quiet ally.
9) Use a comma or a set of commas to set apart an
absolute phrase. An absolute
phrase may be inserted anywhere in a sentence
without changing the sentence’s
meaning.
Happiness making him beam, he took the picture.
He, happiness making him beam, took the picture.
He took, happiness making him beam, the picture.
He took the picture, happiness making him beam.
10) Signal a direct quotation using a comma
unless the quotation is extremely
brief or preceded by that.
He said, “Come here!”
He always says “no” when he means “yes.”
He told me that “there is no fool like an old fool.”
11) Use commas with yes and no,
mild interjections, tag questions, and the names
or titles of people directly
addressed.
Is his father upset? Yes, he is.
Well, that dilemma is not my fault.
The train should arrive at four o’clock, correct?
Please, Molly, sit down and be quiet.
12) Set apart dates, states, countries, and addresses using commas.
On July 4, 2008, American Independence Day shall take place.
Aloha, Oregon, does not suit me.
In Beeville, Texas, USA, I met my best friend.
Using Commas Improperly
1) Do not use commas to separate subjects from their
verbs or verbs from their
objects.
The man wearing the red hat, was my father.
BECOMES
The man wearing the red hat was my father.
2) Do not use commas between words or phrases joined by
correlative conjunctions
or a string of coordinating conjunctions.
The dean sputtered, and gasped, and choked.
BECOMES
The dean sputtered and gasped and choked.
3) Do not use commas before the first item in a series or after the last item in a series.
We visited, my aunt, my grandmother, my first cousin, and my second cousin, yesterday.
BECOMES
We visited my aunt, my grandmother, my first cousin, and my second cousin yesterday.
4) Do not set apart an indirect quotation using a comma.
Mr. Reynolds told us, we were in trouble.
BECOMES
Mr. Reynolds told us we were in trouble.
5) Do not set apart restrictive words, phrases, or
clauses using commas. Restrictive
words, phrases, or clauses provide
essential information.
The dog, that I think is starving, haunts our backyard looking for scraps.
BECOMES
The dog that I think is starving haunts our backyard looking for scraps.