Comma+Help

COMMA RULES


 * **1. Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by conjunctions:** // **and** // **,** // **but** // **,** // **for** // **,** // **or** // **,** // **nor** // **,** // **so** // **,** // **yet** // **.**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">**2. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">a. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// after // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// although // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// as // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// because // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// if // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// since // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// when // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// while // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door. Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class. If you are ill, you ought to see a doctor. When the snow stops falling, we'll shovel the driveway. <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Having finished the test, he left the room. To get a seat, you'd better come early. After the test but before lunch, I went jogging. The sun radiating intense heat, we sought shelter in the cafe.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">c. Common introductory words that should be followed by a comma include <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">// yes // <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">, <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">// however // <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">, <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">// well // <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Well, perhaps he meant no harm. Yes, the package should arrive tomorrow.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">3. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;">**Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.** <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">Here are some clues to help you decide whether the sentence element is essential:

<span style="font-family: Symbol,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">If you leave out the clause, phrase, or word, does the sentence still make sense? <span style="font-family: Symbol,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Does the clause, phrase, or word interrupt the flow of words in the original sentence? <span style="font-family: Symbol,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">If you move the element to a different position in the sentence, does the sentence still make sense?

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">If you answer "yes" to one or more of these questions, then the element in question is nonessential and should be set off with commas. Here are some example sentences with nonessential elements: <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;">**Clause:** <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"> That Tuesday, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// which happens to be my birthday // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">, is the only day when I am available to meet. <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;">**Phrase:** <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"> This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// on the other hand // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">, is rather bland. <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;">**Word:** <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"> I appreciate your hard work. In this case, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// however // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">, you seem to have over-exerted yourself.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;">**4.** <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;">**Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning with** <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">// **that** // <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;">**(relative clauses).** <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">The book <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">//__ that I borrowed from you __// <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"> is excellent. The apples <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">//__ that fell out of the basket __// <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"> are bruised. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Examples of other <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;">**essential** <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"> elements (no commas): <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Students <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// who cheat // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"> only harm themselves. (tells which student) The baby <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// wearing a yellow jumpsuit // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"> is my niece. (tells which baby) <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Examples of <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;">**nonessential** <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"> elements (set off by commas): <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Fred, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// who often cheats // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">, is just harming himself. Apples, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// which are my favorite fruit // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">, are the main ingredient in this recipe. Tom, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// the captain of the team // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">, was injured in the game. It is up to you, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">// Jane // <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">, to finish.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;">**5. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series** <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. The candidate promised to lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce crime, and end unemployment. The prosecutor argued that the defendant, who was at the scene of the crime, who had a strong revenge motive, and who had access to the murder weapon, was guilty of homicide.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;">**6. Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun.** <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">He was a <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal;">__ difficult, stubborn __ <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"> child. (coordinate) They lived in a white frame house. (non-coordinate)

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">**7. Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift.**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He was merely ignorant, not stupid. The chimpanzee seemed reflective, almost human. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">**8. Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer back to the beginning or middle of the sentence.**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">1. Nancy waved enthusiastically at the docking ship <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;">**,** <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"> laughing joyously. (correct) 2a. Lisa waved at Nancy, laughing joyously. (incorrect: Who is laughing, Lisa or Nancy?)

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">**9. Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names.**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England. July 22, 1959, was a momentous day in his life. Who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC? Rachel B. Lake, MD, will be the principal speaker. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">(When you use just the month and the year, no comma is necessary after the year: "The average temperatures for July 1998 are the highest on record. <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">John said without emotion, "I'll see you tomorrow." "I was able," she answered, "to complete the assignment." In 1848, Marx wrote, "Workers of the world, unite!"
 * 10. Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation.**

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal;">**11. Use commas wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading** <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">. Ex: To George, Harrison had been a sort of idol.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 13pt;">**Comma Abuse**

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">**12. Don't use a comma to separate the subject from the verb.**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">An eighteen-year old in California, is now considered an adult. (incorrect) <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal;">**13. Don't put a comma between the two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate.**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">We laid out our music and snacks, and began to study. (incorrect) I turned the corner, and ran smack into a patrol car. (incorrect)

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal;">**14. Don't put a comma between the two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses in a compound subject or compound object** <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">The music teacher from your high school, and the football coach from mine are married. (incorrect: compound subject) Jeff told me that the job was still available, and that the manager wanted to interview me. (incorrect: compound object)

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">**15. Don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast).**

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">1. She was late for class, because her alarm clock was broken. (incorrect) 2. The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating. (incorrect) 3. She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar. (correct: extreme contrast) ||