Usage of Commas
Uses of Commas Uses of Commas
· To separate items in a series
· To separate two or more adjective preceding a noun
· Before and, but, or, not, so, and yet when they join independent clauses
· To set off nonessential clauses and nonessential participial phrases
· After certain introductory elements
· To set off expressions that interrupt the sentence
· In conventional situations
When commas are separating items in a series, the series can consist of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, phrases, or subordinate clauses.
Verbs Ex) The teacher prepared, graded, and evaluated the assignments.
Phrases Ex) The teacher prepared the lesson, graded the assignment, and recorded the grades.
Subordinate clause Ex) I know you will pass the test if you take good notes, if you do your assignments, and if you study hard.
Exceptions to the rule of commas used to
separate items in a series.
· If all items are joined by and or or (nor), you should not use commas to separate them.
Ex. We wrote and typed and even scribbled the notes.
· Semicolons usually separate independent clauses in a series; however, short independent clauses may be separated by commas.
Ex. For class we took notes on grammar; we discussed Lord of the Flies; and we worked on our writing skills.
For class we took notes, we discussed, and we wrote.
Commas Between Independent Clauses Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet when they join independent clauses.
Remember an independent clause can stand on its own.
Ex) I went and bought a whole bunch of Christmas presents for my kids, but they will not receive the gifts if they do not behave.
Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and nonessential participial phrases.
A nonessential clause is a clause that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. The clauses add extra information to the sentence.
If the clause is needed to make the meaning clear in the sentence it is an essential clause and should not be set off by commas.
* a clause set off by commas can be taken out of the sentence without changing the meaning
Introductory Elements · Use a comma after words such as well, yes, no, and why when they begin a sentence. Exclamations like wow, good grief, and gee whiz, if not followed by an exclamation point must be set off by commas.
Ex. Wow, look at that car!
· Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase.
Ex. Cleaned out, the parents told their children no when they asked for more money.
· Use a comma after a succession for introductory prepositional phrase.
This means more than one prepositional phrase, just one prepositional phrase should not have a comma; unless it is needed to make the meaning clear.
· Use a comma after an introductory adverb clause.
An introductory adverb clause is a subordinate clause preceding an independent clause.
After having spent an entire day at work, George had no energy left to do his household chores.
Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt Appositives & appositive phrases are usually set off by commas.
Ex. We, Traci & Tiffani, are beautiful and intelligent.
Words used in direct address are set off by commas- if directly speaking to a person, the person's name is set off by commas.
Ex. Run, Jill, run.
Parenthetical expressions are set off by commas. Examples of parenthetical expressions: I believe (think, suppose, hope, etc.) on the contrary, on the other hand, of course, in my opinion, for example, however, to tell the truth, nevertheless, in fact, on the whole, also, too, in addition, thus. These are just blurps that are added to the sentence, they do not add to the meaning.
Ex. You will, I think, do wonderfully on your semester exams
Use a comma in conventional situations Use a comma with items in dates and addresses.
Use a comma after the salutations of a friendly letter and after the closing of any letter.
Use a comma after a name followed by Jr., Sr., Ph.D., etc.
· To separate items in a series
· To separate two or more adjective preceding a noun
· Before and, but, or, not, so, and yet when they join independent clauses
· To set off nonessential clauses and nonessential participial phrases
· After certain introductory elements
· To set off expressions that interrupt the sentence
· In conventional situations
When commas are separating items in a series, the series can consist of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, phrases, or subordinate clauses.
Verbs Ex) The teacher prepared, graded, and evaluated the assignments.
Phrases Ex) The teacher prepared the lesson, graded the assignment, and recorded the grades.
Subordinate clause Ex) I know you will pass the test if you take good notes, if you do your assignments, and if you study hard.
Exceptions to the rule of commas used to
separate items in a series.
· If all items are joined by and or or (nor), you should not use commas to separate them.
Ex. We wrote and typed and even scribbled the notes.
· Semicolons usually separate independent clauses in a series; however, short independent clauses may be separated by commas.
Ex. For class we took notes on grammar; we discussed Lord of the Flies; and we worked on our writing skills.
For class we took notes, we discussed, and we wrote.
Commas Between Independent Clauses Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet when they join independent clauses.
Remember an independent clause can stand on its own.
Ex) I went and bought a whole bunch of Christmas presents for my kids, but they will not receive the gifts if they do not behave.
Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and nonessential participial phrases.
A nonessential clause is a clause that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. The clauses add extra information to the sentence.
If the clause is needed to make the meaning clear in the sentence it is an essential clause and should not be set off by commas.
* a clause set off by commas can be taken out of the sentence without changing the meaning
Introductory Elements · Use a comma after words such as well, yes, no, and why when they begin a sentence. Exclamations like wow, good grief, and gee whiz, if not followed by an exclamation point must be set off by commas.
Ex. Wow, look at that car!
· Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase.
Ex. Cleaned out, the parents told their children no when they asked for more money.
· Use a comma after a succession for introductory prepositional phrase.
This means more than one prepositional phrase, just one prepositional phrase should not have a comma; unless it is needed to make the meaning clear.
· Use a comma after an introductory adverb clause.
An introductory adverb clause is a subordinate clause preceding an independent clause.
After having spent an entire day at work, George had no energy left to do his household chores.
Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt Appositives & appositive phrases are usually set off by commas.
Ex. We, Traci & Tiffani, are beautiful and intelligent.
Words used in direct address are set off by commas- if directly speaking to a person, the person's name is set off by commas.
Ex. Run, Jill, run.
Parenthetical expressions are set off by commas. Examples of parenthetical expressions: I believe (think, suppose, hope, etc.) on the contrary, on the other hand, of course, in my opinion, for example, however, to tell the truth, nevertheless, in fact, on the whole, also, too, in addition, thus. These are just blurps that are added to the sentence, they do not add to the meaning.
Ex. You will, I think, do wonderfully on your semester exams
Use a comma in conventional situations Use a comma with items in dates and addresses.
Use a comma after the salutations of a friendly letter and after the closing of any letter.
Use a comma after a name followed by Jr., Sr., Ph.D., etc.