Commas Uses and abuses By: Myra, Corey, Nadica, and Jennifer. English 111, Summer 2007

Definition of the comma  According to Purdue University’s OWL (Online Writing Lab), “The comma is a valuable... punctuation device because it separates elements of a sentence into manageable segments.”

9 Rules for comma usage Rule 1  Use a comma when you want to separate a series of items. Example: Example: Mr. Blake fell down, broke his foot, fractured his knee, and broke his nose on the way to the hospital. Mr. Blake fell down, broke his foot, fractured his knee, and broke his nose on the way to the hospital.

Rule 2 Rule 2  Use a comma to separate two clauses with a conjunctive coordinator. Example: Example: Jesse Kincaid went to the market to buy groceries, but she had a cupboard full of food. Jesse Kincaid went to the market to buy groceries, but she had a cupboard full of food.

Rule 3 Use a comma to set off introductory elements. Use a comma to set off introductory elements. Example: Example: “Speeding down the interstate, she suddenly realized she was low on gas.” “Speeding down the interstate, she suddenly realized she was low on gas.”

Rule 4  Use a comma to set off parenthetical elements  Example: Newport News, one of the many cities in Virginia, is very quiet. Newport News, one of the many cities in Virginia, is very quiet.

Rule 5  A comma must be used to set off coordinate adjectives  Example: The huge, dirty, wild bear ran after Goldilocks. The huge, dirty, wild bear ran after Goldilocks.

Rule 6  Use a comma to set off quoted elements  Example: Mary Jane states, “Spiderman is the greatest.” Mary Jane states, “Spiderman is the greatest.”

Rule 7  A comma may be used to show a contrast or a turn in the elements of a sentence. Example: Example: She was looking for a dress that was simple, not dressy. She was looking for a dress that was simple, not dressy. The BMW was beautiful, but cost too much for a college student. The BMW was beautiful, but cost too much for a college student.

Rule 8  A comma may be used to avoid a confusing sequence of words in a sentence. Example: Inside the house was painted all white. (incorrect) Inside the house was painted all white. (incorrect) Inside, the house was painted all white. Inside, the house was painted all white.

Rule 9  A comma is used for typographical reasons, such as the following: A city and stateA city and state The concert was performed in Chicago, Illinois. The concert was performed in Chicago, Illinois. A date and yearA date and year Today is July 5, Today is July 5, A name and a title when the titles come after the nameA name and a title when the titles come after the name Timothy M. Kaine, Governor of Commonwealth of Virginia. Timothy M. Kaine, Governor of Commonwealth of Virginia.

Rule 9 continued Note that we use a comma to make the year parenthetical when the date of the month is included.  September 11, 2001, was the date of the most infamous terrorist attack on the United States. Without the date itself, however, the comma disappears Without the date itself, however, the comma disappears September 2001 was a sad time for all Americans. September 2001 was a sad time for all Americans.  In long numbers 5,677,891 and $15,256 5,677,891 and $15,256

Comma abuse Don’t separate subject from verb. Example: The eighteen-year-old in Virginia, is considered an adult The eighteen-year-old in Virginia, is considered an adult

Abuse  Don’t put commas between compound verbs. Example: Example: We laid out food and drink, and began to party. We laid out food and drink, and began to party.

Abuse Abuse  Don’t put commas between the two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses in a compound subject or compound object. Example: Example: The Sunday school teacher from your church, and the rock star from mine are engaged. The Sunday school teacher from your church, and the rock star from mine are engaged.

Abuse  Don’t put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast). Example: Example: Her mother screamed, while her music was blasting. Her mother screamed, while her music was blasting.

Works Cited  “Rules For Comma Usage.” Guide to Grammar and Writing. Capital Community College Foundation. 3 July  “Using Commas.” The OWL at Purdue. Purdue University. 3 July omma.htmlhttp://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_c omma.html