Commas Separation at best! When and why to separate!

Commas Separate Use commas to keep words, phrases and/or clauses from making run-on sentences. Use commas to keep words, phrases and/or clauses from making run-on sentences. Use commas to clarify meaning to the sentence. Use commas to clarify meaning to the sentence. Use commas in a series or list. Use commas in a series or list. Most of all, use commas carefully!

Use Commas after an Introductory element An introductory element is denoted by a word such as: after, as, because, if, since, etc. and is a dependent clause (not a complete sentence). While I went out to eat my sister watched cartoons. (this sentence is confusing; are you eating your sister?) While I went out to eat my sister watched cartoons. (this sentence is confusing; are you eating your sister?) Correct: While I went out to eat, my sister watched cartoons.

Commas Enclose Sometimes sentences contain unnecessary, “extra” information that doesn’t add to the sentence meaning. This extra info is called a nonessential modifier and should have a comma before and after. Tom Jones who owns four cars received a speeding ticket. Tom Jones who owns four cars received a speeding ticket. The reader doesn’t NEED to know that Tom owns four cars to understand that he received a speeding ticket. Therefore, it’s a nonessential modifier. The reader doesn’t NEED to know that Tom owns four cars to understand that he received a speeding ticket. Therefore, it’s a nonessential modifier. Correct: Tom Jones, who owns four cars, received a speeding ticket.

Use to clarify “wordy” sentences. And convey to your reader to take a breath or pause. Instead of: The Sabers it would seem are having a great year. Instead of: The Sabers it would seem are having a great year. Try: The Sabers, it would seem, are having a great year. Try: The Sabers, it would seem, are having a great year.

Separate Items One of the most frequent uses of commas is in a list. One of the most frequent uses of commas is in a list. Oranges, apples, bananas and mangoes are all in season right now. Oranges, apples, bananas and mangoes are all in season right now. Cats, dogs, rabbits and horses are all cared for at the shelter. Cats, dogs, rabbits and horses are all cared for at the shelter. Minneapolis, MN and St. Paul, MN are both metropolitan cities. Minneapolis, MN and St. Paul, MN are both metropolitan cities.

Linking Coordinating Adjectives Words that change the meaning of a word or phrase are called adjectives. Coordinating adjectives are interchanging and need commas to link them together sensibly. You have gracious, kind, compassionate friends. OR You have kind, gracious, compassionate friends. You have gracious, kind, compassionate friends. OR You have kind, gracious, compassionate friends. Either way, the sentence means the same, this makes the coordinating adjectives. Either way, the sentence means the same, this makes the coordinating adjectives. The church is a quiet reverent place. The church is a quiet reverent place. “Quiet” and “reverent” work together to modify “place” so they are non-coordinate adjectives and don’t need a comma. “Quiet” and “reverent” work together to modify “place” so they are non-coordinate adjectives and don’t need a comma.

Beware the Unnecessary Comma! Nothing will confuse your reader more than an unnecessary comma! These are examples of what NOT to do: Nothing will confuse your reader more than an unnecessary comma! These are examples of what NOT to do: After fighting, Copper for the bone Anya took it, and started chewing on it. After fighting, Copper for the bone Anya took it, and started chewing on it. This sentence doesn’t make sense, did Anya take Copper or the bone? This sentence doesn’t make sense, did Anya take Copper or the bone? To get the kids to pay attention, won’t be easy. To get the kids to pay attention, won’t be easy. The infintive phrase “to get the kids to pay attention” is the subject of the verb “won’t be” so it doesn’t need a comma. The infintive phrase “to get the kids to pay attention” is the subject of the verb “won’t be” so it doesn’t need a comma. I went skiing, and then I snowboarded. I went skiing, and then I snowboarded. “And then I snowboarded” is not an independent clause, so a comma isn’t needed. “And then I snowboarded” is not an independent clause, so a comma isn’t needed. There are many ways to cook chicken such as, frying, baking, battered, and steaming. There are many ways to cook chicken such as, frying, baking, battered, and steaming. Commas shouldn’t precede series started with “such as”,” “including” or “the following.” Commas shouldn’t precede series started with “such as”,” “including” or “the following.”

The Last Word… Read a sentence aloud – if you take a breath or pause naturally, it’s a safe bet that’s where a comma should go.