1. How to use a Comma
English b10

2. In general
One of the biggest mistakes with commas is that they are OVERUSED
Although commas are used to indicate a pause in the sentence, this is not enough of a reason to use a comma
Please only use commas when they have a reason (possible reasons are suggested throughout this presentation)

3. Reason 1 Examples Explanation
"He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to first base.“
“She bought milk, butter, and macaroni and cheese.”
Explanation
Use a comma to separate the elements in a series (three or more things), including the last two.
If you don’t use a comma between items it suggests the words go together (“macaroni and cheese” versus “macaroni, and cheese).

4. Reason 2 Example "He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base."
Explanation
Use a comma + a little conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so) to connect two independent clauses
You can leave out the comma in a sentence with short, balanced independent clauses (see the example just given).
IN GENERAL- comma does not go after the conjunction, goes before it

5. Reason 3
Example
"Running toward third base, he suddenly realized how stupid he looked."
Explanation
Use a comma to set off introductory elements (use it to transition)

6. Reason 4
Example
"The Founders Bridge, which spans the Connecticut River, is falling down.“
“Eleanor, his wife of thirty years, suddenly decided to open her own business.”
Explanation
Use a comma to set off parenthetical elements
The parenthetical element is sometimes called "added information." This is the most difficult rule in punctuation because it is sometimes unclear what is "added" or "parenthetical" and what is essential to the meaning of a sentence.

7. Reason 5
Example "That tall, distinguished, good looking fellow drank his tea.”
VERUS
“That little old lady” (you wouldn’t use commas as you wouldn’t say “that little and old lady”
Explanation
Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives.
If you can put an and or a but between the adjectives, a comma will probably belong there.

8. Reason 6
Example
Summing up this argument, Peter Coveney writes, "The purpose and strength of the romantic image of the child had been above all to establish a relation between childhood and adult consciousness."
Explanation
Use a comma to set off quoted elements.
DO NOT use a comma if the quoted elements are introduced by the word “that” or quoted elements that are embedded in a larger structure:
“Peter Coveney writes that "[t]he purpose and strength of . . ."
We often say "Sorry" when we don't really mean it.

9. Reason 7 Examples “Some say the world will end in ice, not fire.”
“It was her money, not her charm or personality, that first attracted him.”
“The puppies were cute, but very messy.”
Explanation
Use commas to set off phrases that express contrast.

10. Reason 8 Example “For most the year is already finished.”
VERSUS “For most, the year is already finished.”
Explanation
Use a comma to avoid confusion. This is often a matter of consistently applying rule #3 (Use a comma to set off introductory elements )

11. Reason 9 Example “Bob Downey, Professor of English”
“Regina, Saskatchewan”
“June 15, 1997”
Explanation
Typographical Reasons: Between a city and a state/province, a date and the year, a name and a title when the title comes after the name

12. Other rules
Never use only one comma between a subject and its verb (a verb is an action).
Example: "Believing completely and positively in oneself is essential for success.“
Although readers might pause after the word "oneself," there is no reason to put a comma there.

13. Which is correct? What is the reason?
“The Red Sox were leading the league at the end of May, but of course, they always do well in the spring.”
VERSUS
“The Yankees didn't do so well in the early going, but, frankly, everyone expects them to win the season. “

14. Answer
“The Red Sox were leading the league at the end of May, but of course, they always do well in the spring.”
Why? No comma after “but”
(“The Yankees didn't do so well in the early going, but, frankly, everyone expects them to win the season.”)

15. Which is correct? What is the reason?
“July 4, 1776, is regarded as the birth date of American liberty.”
VERSUS
“July , is regarded as the birth date of American liberty. “

16. answer
“July 4, 1776, is regarded as the birth date of American liberty.”
WHY? Because “1776” is parenthetical

17. Is this correct? Why or why not?
“I'm telling you, Juanita, I couldn't be more surprised.”

18. ANSWER YES! “I'm telling you, Juanita, I couldn't be more surprised.”
-”Juanita” is a parenthetical element

19. All info adapted from http://grammar. ccc. commnet