Commas

Use commas correctly in series, direct address, and parenthetical expressions. Use commas correctly in punctuating dates, time zones, addresses, geographical items, and appositives.

Basic Guidelines for Using Commas  Series  Direct Address  Parenthetical Expressions  Dates  Time Zones  Addresses  Geographical Items  Appositives

 Series Use commas to separate three or more equally ranked elements (words, phrases, or short clauses) in a series. Remember to place a comma before the conjunction introducing the final item in a series. 5

 Series Examples Series of Words: He submitted all production, distribution, sales, and financial data. Series of Phrases: Government is of the people, by the people, and for the people. Series of Clauses: Lee investigated hiring, Kelly studied compensation, and Mark researched benefits. Repeated Conjunctions (no commas needed): I copied and Mike collated and Lisa stapled. 5

 Direct Address Direct address occurs when a person is being addressed or spoken to directly, rather than being spoken about. Use commas to set off words and phrases of direct address. We assure you, Ms. Ortiz, that your bill will be corrected. Do you know when the results will be available, Dr. Martin? Professor Lacayo, here is my final project. 5

 Parenthetical Expressions Use commas to set off nonessential words, phrases, and clauses. Examples of parentheticals: as a result by the way consequently finally for example fortunately however in addition in conclusion in fact in the meantime incidentally needless to say nevertheless no doubt of course that is yes/no 5

 Parenthetical Expressions Examples By the way, have you made your appointment yet? (Beginning of sentence) You did, no doubt, make payment with a credit card. (Middle of sentence) We’ll need an answer immediately, needless to say. (End of sentence) Exception: We have no doubt that your plan will succeed. 5

 Dates When dates contain more than one element, use commas to set off the second and following elements. A sales record was set November 14 in Chicago. (No comma needed for one element.) A sales record was set Wednesday, November 14, in Chicago. (Two commas set off second element.) A sales record was set Wednesday, November 14, 2017, in Chicago. (Commas set off second and third elements.) In April 2016 we opened a second office. (Exception: The comma is omitted in writing month and year only.) 5

 Time Zones Use commas to set off time zones used with clock times. Our virtual meeting will be promptly at 1:30 p.m., PDT. His flight left at 11:10 a.m., EST, and arrived in Los Angeles at 1:50 p.m., PST. 5

 Addresses When addresses are written in sentence form, separate the parts of the address with commas. Do not place a comma between the state and zip code. The letter from Jane Mangrum, Miami-Dade Community College, Miami, Florida 33176, was provocative. 5

 Geographical Items In geographical items use commas to set off a state when it follows the name of a city. We received inquiries from New York City, New York, and Tampa, Florida. 5

 Geographical Items In geographical items also use commas to set off the name of a country when it follows the name of a city. Last summer we traveled to Paris, France, and London, England, for our honeymoon. 5

 Appositives Appositives rename, describe or explain preceding nouns or pronouns. Use commas to set off an appositive that provides information not essential to the identification of its antecedent. Douglas Dawson, the wireless customer service rep, called. (The appositive adds nonessential information; commas set it off.) 5

 Appositives When an appositive is essential (needed to identify the noun or pronoun referred to earlier in the sentence), do not set it off with commas. The wireless customer service rep Douglas Dawson called. (The appositive is needed to identify which sales representative called; therefore, no commas are used.) One-word appositives do not require commas. My brother Keith will visit in December. (One-word appositives do not require commas.) 5

Parenthetical Expression Insert needed commas in these sentences. Conservationists are working to save endangered tigers whales pandas and rhinos. They fear as a matter of fact that the great apes will soon become an endangered species. , , , Series , , Parenthetical Expression

, , , , , Insert needed commas in these sentences. George Schaller a world- renowned field biologist said that conventional approaches have not worked. Our next meeting is at 1 p.m. EST in Providence Rhode Island. , Appositive (nonessential) , , , Time Zone, Geographical Item

Date, Geographical Item Insert needed commas in these sentences. Conservation International held a meeting on Monday November 17 in Rio de Janeiro Brazil to discuss the Amazon ecosystem. Do you plan to attend the meeting Dr. Leavey? , , , , Date, Geographical Item , Direct Address

Use commas correctly in punctuating independent adjectives and with the adverb too. Use commas correctly in punctuating introductory verbal phrases, prepositional phrases, independent clauses, introductory dependent clauses, terminal dependent clauses, and nonessential clauses.

Special Guidelines for Using Commas  Independent Adjectives  With the Adverb too  Introductory Verbal Phrases  Prepositional Phrases  Independent Clauses  Introductory Dependent Clauses  Terminal Dependent Clauses  Nonessential Clauses

 Independent Adjectives Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives that equally modify or describe a noun. The well-written, exciting book will be made into a film. How many laborious, inefficient procedures can we eliminate? 5

 With the Adverb too When the adverb too is used to mean “also” and appears at the end of a sentence or clause, omit the comma. If too appears elsewhere in a sentence, set it off with commas. Many employees voted for the proposal too. (End of sentence—no commas) My supervisor, too, voted for the proposal. (Middle of sentence—commas) 5

 With the Adverb too When the adverb too is used to mean “excessively,” omit commas. Some people talk too much during meetings. Some people think baseball players are paid too much. 5

 Introductory Verbal Phrases Verbal phrases that precede main clauses are followed by commas. Prepositional phrases containing verb forms are also followed by commas. To complete the job, we must work overtime. Hoping to get a seat, James arrived early. Shocked, we listened to the CEO’s announcement. By offering better benefits, we were able to attract better candidates. 5

 Prepositional Phrases Follow one or more introductory prepositional phrases totaling four or more words with a comma. For the past six months, wireless service has been erratic. In the spring of next year, we will purchase new laptops for the office staff. 5

 Prepositional Phrases Introductory prepositional phrases of three or fewer words require no commas. By next Monday you will receive your order. In 2019 the new tax will be repealed. In this case we will not intervene. On Friday I placed an order on your website. 5

 Prepositional Phrases Do NOT use commas to set off internal prepositional phrases that do not interrupt the sentence. Our company will release an exciting new product at the start of next year. We do not at this time expect layoffs. 5

 Independent Clauses When a coordinating conjunction joins independent clauses, use a comma before the conjunction. When short clauses (up to 13 words) are joined by the conjunction and, no comma is needed. The computer is an efficient tool of management, but it does not eliminate the need for managers. We have tried many times and we have failed. (No comma) 5

 Introductory Dependent Clauses Follow dependent clauses that precede independent clauses with commas. When Mark was hired, his manager outlined his duties. If Jennifer applies, we will surely hire her. 5

 Terminal Dependent Clauses Use a comma before a dependent clause at the end of a sentence ONLY if the clause adds nonessential information. Information is considered essential if it answers questions such as When? Why? and How? 5

 Terminal Dependent Clauses Examples His duties were outlined when he was hired. (No comma) Please call me if you have any questions. (No comma) We are usually open from 10 until 5, although we can make special arrangements if necessary. (Dependent clause adds nonessential information—set off by comma) 5

 Nonessential Clauses Use commas to set off nonessential clauses (clauses that are parenthetical or supply information unneeded for the grammatical completeness of a sentence. Claudia Paredes, who teaches in California, submitted excellent suggestions. (Nonessential clause—set off by commas) 5

 Nonessential Clauses Do NOT use commas to set off clauses that contain essential information The professor who teaches in California submitted excellent suggestions. (Essential clause—no commas) 5

, , Insert needed commas in these sentences. Traveling across the country I wanted a hotel that was tech savvy. I hoped for a room with an adjustable comfortable chair too. , Introductory Verbal Phrase , Independent Adjectives

, , Insert needed commas in these sentences. In the past I had difficulty finding rooms with high- speed wireless access and I was not hopeful this time. On my latest trip I did not expect to find a tech-savvy hotel. , Independent Clauses , Prepositional Phrase

Terminal Dependent Clause Insert needed commas in these sentences. I checked into a Hilton and immediately locked myself in my room and opened my laptop. The manager told me to call her if I needed anything. No commas needed Terminal Dependent Clause

Introductory Dependent Clause , Insert needed commas in these sentences. When I finished my report I went down to the hotel restaurant for a burger and some fries. Liz Cabiles who travels frequently recommends Hyatt hotels. Introductory Dependent Clause , , Nonessential Clause

Use commas correctly in punctuating abbreviations, degrees, professional designations, and numerals. Use commas correctly to indicate omitted words and contrasting statements, to separate repeated words, for clarity, and with short quotations.

Additional Guidelines for Using Commas  Abbreviations  Degrees and Professional Designations  Numerals  Omitted Words  Contrasting Statements  Repeated Words and Clarity  Short Quotations

 Abbreviations The abbreviations Jr. and Sr. and Roman numerals added to a person’s name are not set off by commas unless the person chooses to include them. Ken Griffey, Jr., played professional baseball for 22 years. Tom Riddle Sr. is a popular character in the Harry Potter series. Henry VI was only eight months old when he became the King of England. 5

 Abbreviations Set off the abbreviations Inc. and Ltd. with commas if the company’s legal name includes the commas. Scandia, Inc., advertised this dining set. (Legal name included comma before Inc.) Loblaw Companies Ltd. is a Canadian food retailer. (Legal name does not include comma before Ltd.). 5

 Degrees and Professional Designations Degrees and professional designations following individuals’ names are set off by commas. Paul William Murphey, PhD, is the keynote speaker. Expert witness Stacy Shergold, CPA, supported the defense. 5

 Numerals Separate unrelated numerals appearing side by side with commas. By 2018, 125 billion purchases will be made annually using mobile devices. Numbers with more than three digits require commas when expressed in U.S. format. Kith Brooklyn opened the first-ever cereal bar in New York City, serving up 3,000 unique cereal combinations. 5

 Numerals Calendar years, zip codes, telephone and cell numbers, house numbers, decimals, page numbers, serial numbers, metric numbers, social security numbers, policy numbers, and contract numbers are written without commas. Call us at (925) 969-2339 or drop by our office at 4800 Broadway Lane in Concord. 5

 Omitted Words Use a comma to show the omission of understood words. Some employees leave work at 5 p.m.; some, at 5:30 p.m. (A comma shows the omission of employees leave work.) 5

 Contrasting Statements Use commas to set off contrasting or opposing statements. These expressions are often introduced by such words as not, never, but, and yet. The greater the sales, the greater the profits. Managers are made, not born. 5

 Clarity and Repeated Words Use commas to separate words repeated for emphasis and words that may be misread if not separated. We had a long, long meeting to iron out differences. What it is, is hard work. In short, employees must be more courteous. 5

 Short Quotations Use a comma to separate a short quotation from the rest of the sentence. Use two commas if the quotation is divided into two parts. Mark Twain said, “We all have our limitations in the matter of grammar.” “I have never seen a book,” he added, “which had no grammatical defects in it.” 5

Degree and Professional Designation Insert needed commas in these sentences. Speakers included William Lee PhD and Phyllis Wilson CPA. By December 1 45 people had applied for our seasonal holiday positions. , , , Degree and Professional Designation , Numerals

, , Insert needed commas in these sentences. Last year we hired 120 temporary employees; this year only 50. Although tired employees tried to stay alert during the night shift. , Omitted Words , Clarity

, , Insert needed commas in these sentences. Portland is the largest city in Maine; it has a population of about 67000. Suzy said “Are you sure this is the last question?” , Numeral , Short Quotation

Which is correct? The actress Amy Adams says Meryl Streep is the best actress in films. OR The actress Amy Adams, says Meryl Streep, is the best actress in films. See the difference?

Which is correct? Mr. Lee, the secretary is two hours late. OR See the difference?

Which is correct? I’m hungry so let’s eat John. OR See the difference?

“Writing is an exploration. You start with nothing and learn as you go – E. L. Doctorow, American author/editor/ professor (1931-2015)