Comma Conventions When and How to Use Commas

Table of Contents What You Already Know Introductions & Commas Clauses, Conjunctions, and Commas Extra Information and Commas

What You Already Know Use commas to separate lists of 3 or more things. –I went running, swimming, and biking. Use commas between the day-of-the-month and year in all dates. –November 20, 2006 Use commas between cities and states. –State College, PA

Introductions Use commas to separate introductory clauses from independent clauses. –If we want to win, we need to practice hard. Use commas to separate introductory phrases from independent clauses. –A great teacher, Stewy died way too soon. Use commas to separate introductory words from independent clauses. –Still, there’s more to learn.

Clauses, Conjunctions, and Commas Use a comma and a conjunction to combine 2 independent clauses. –Today is the first day after our break, and I’d rather be at home. Do you remember your conjunctions? –Hint: FAN BOYS –for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so Instead of a comma and a conjunction, you could use a semicolon 2 combine 2 sentences. –Today is the first day after our break; I really missed school!

Nonessential Information Use commas before and after nonessential words, phrases, and clauses. –The average world temperature, however, has continued to rise significantly. –The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates was sentenced to death. –CLC teachers, seeking more discipline, put all of the students in metal cages. –The person at the front counter collects the tickets. –**Phrases that begin with prepositions are usually essential, while phrases that begin with words ending in -ing are usually not.