Commas 10 Rules When Using Commas Caitlin Gordon and Julie Holton

The Purpose of a Comma. o The comma was created to help readers distinguish between two parts of a sentence. o Without a comma, there is a chance for a misreading of the information.

Rule 1: Using a comma before a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses.

Rule 1: Using a comma before a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses. Independent clauses: word groups that could stand alone as separate clauses.

Rule 1: Using a comma before a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses. There are 7 coordinate conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, for, so and yet.

Rule One Continued… What does the comma do? The comma is used to tell the reader that the first independent clause is done and the second is about to begin.

Rule One Continued… What does the comma do? The comma is used to tell the reader that the first independent clause is done and the second is about to begin. Example: I usually wake up late for class, but today I woke up on time.

Exception for Rule One. Reminder: Do not use a comma in a sentence of two coordinate word groups if they are not independent clauses. Example: Today we are learning about commas and how to use them.

Rule 2: Using a comma after an introductory word group. Deals with sentences that tell information such as when, where, how, and why, or under what conditions the main action is about to begin.

Rule 2: Using a comma after an introductory word group. Deals with sentences that tell information such as when, where, how, and why, or under what conditions the main action is about to begin. Example: While I was getting ready to leave, I realized that I was missing my keys.

Rule Two Exception. Rule exception: A comma is unnecessary after a short adverb clause or phrase, if there is no danger of misreading. Example: After much work we made it to the top.

A Tip for Rule Two. A helpful tip when using the second rule is the place a comma after the third descriptive word.

A Tip for Rule Two. A helpful tip when using the second rule is the place a comma after the third descriptive word. Example: While driving home, I began to remember everything that I left at school.

Rule Two Continued… This rule is also used in sentences that begin with a participle phrase, which are describing the subject. It introduces the reader to the fact that they are about to learn the identity of the subject.

Rule Two Continued… This rule is also used in sentences that begin with a participle phrase, which are describing the subject. It introduces the reader to the fact that they are about to learn the identity of the subject. Example: Wearing her new dress, Kayla walked confidently into the room. Can also be used with transitions and absolute phrases.

Rule 3: Using a comma between all items in a series. When three or more items are present in a series, they should be separated from one another using commas.

Rule 3: Using a comma between all items in a series. When three or more items are present in a series, they should be separated from one another using commas. Example: I liked the shirt so much that I got it in pink, blue, purple, and black.

Rule Three Continued… Tip: Although sometimes the comma is omitted after the second to last item in a series, doing so may result in a misreading of the sentence. Example: My list of daily chores includes making my bed, washing the dishes, sweeping and vacuuming the carpet.

Rule 4: Using a comma between coordinate adjectives not joined by and. Do not use a comma between cumulative adjectives. Coordinate adjectives: Two or more adjectives that each modify a noun separately. They are coordinate if they can be connected using and.

Rule 4: Using a comma between coordinate adjectives not joined by and. Do not use a comma between cumulative adjectives. Coordinate adjectives: Two or more adjectives that each modify a noun separately. They are coordinate if they can be connected using and. Example: The snow was cold, shimmering and bright.

Rule 4: Using a comma between coordinate adjectives not joined by and. Do not use a comma between cumulative adjectives. Coordinate adjectives: Two or more adjectives that each modify a noun separately. They are coordinate if they can be connected using and. Example: The snow was cold, shimmering and bright. Cumulative adjectives are those that cannot modify a noun separately. Example: My annoying little brother broke my mom’s favorite vase.

Rule 4: Using a comma between coordinate adjectives not joined by and. Do not use a comma between cumulative adjectives. Coordinate adjectives: Two or more adjectives that each modify a noun separately. They are coordinate if they can be connected using and. Example: The snow was cold, shimmering and bright. Cumulative adjectives are those that cannot modify a noun separately. Example: My annoying little brother broke my mom’s favorite vase. A tip to remember for this rule, is if you can put the word and into the sentence, they are coordinate adjectives and a comma can be used. If and can be used in replacement of a comma, the adjectives are coordinate rather than cumulative.

Rule 5: Using a comma to set off nonrestrictive elements. Do not use commas to set off restrictive elements. Words that describe a noun or pronoun are either restrictive or nonrestrictive. Restrictives change the meaning of a sentence greatly if removed and are important in clarification. Nonrestrictives are used for words whose meaning has already been described and for nonessential information.

Rule Five Continued… Example for restrictive: We all got new shoes, that were black. Example for unrestrictive: My mom bought me a new pair of pants, which were too big.

Rule 6: Using commas to set off transitional and parenthetical expressions, absolute phrases, and contrasted elements. What are transitional expressions: They are bridges that connect sentences or parts of sentences. Examples: however, moreover, therefore.

Rule 6: Using commas to set off transitional and parenthetical expressions, absolute phrases, and contrasted elements. What are transitional expressions: They are bridges that connect sentences or parts of sentences. Examples: however, moreover, therefore. Example of transitional expression using a comma: I thought the assignment for class was due tomorrow; however, it was due today. Parenthetical example: We all did well on the quiz, or so we thought.

Rule 6: Using commas to set off transitional and parenthetical expressions, absolute phrases, and contrasted elements. What are transitional expressions: They are bridges that connect sentences or parts of sentences. Examples: however, moreover, therefore. Example of transitional expression using a comma: I thought the assignment for class was due tomorrow; however, it was due today. Parenthetical example: We all did well on the quiz, or so we thought. Absolute phrases example: I decided that I need to do laundry, Having discovered that I was out of clean shirts. Contrasted Elements example: We were hoping for a snow day, not a snow delay.

Rule 7: Using commas to set off nouns of direct address, the words yes and no, interrogative tags, and mild interjections. Direct address example: I’m sorry, Mom, for not telling you that I would be late for curfew. Yes and no example: No, I’m not busy this weekend. Interrogative tags example: That party was a lot of fun, yes? Mild interjections example: Well, I didn’t think it was.

Rule 8: Using commas with expressions such as he said to set off direct quotations Place the comma at the end of the word before the quote begins. Example: On the first day of class, the professor told the class, “If you’re going to fall asleep in class, don’t bother even showing up.”

Rule 9: Using commas with dates, addresses, titles, and numbers. Dates: Use a comma to set the year off from the rest of the sentence. Example: We learned that on July 4, 1776, the US Constitution was signed. Addresses: Place names and the various parts of an address are separated by commas. Example: The correct mailing address for Alma College is 614 W. Superior St., Alma, MI

Rule Nine Continued… Titles: Titles should be separated from the rest of a name using a comma. Example: Gregory House, MD, is a fictional television character. Numbers: If a number is four or more digits long, use a comma to separate numbers in groups of three, starting from the last digit to the right. Example: 3500 ➜ 3,500

Rule 10: Using a comma to prevent confusion. Some contexts, including those where a word is omitted, has two similar words next to one another, or those with words that could accidently be grouped, a comma is needed to prevent confusion.

Rule 10: Using a comma to prevent confusion. Some contexts, including those where a word is omitted, has two similar words next to one another, or those with words that could accidently be grouped, a comma is needed to prevent confusion. Example: For those who are able, please exit to your left.