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Table of Contents | Reference Texts | Workbook: Lessons & Exercises

English
Guidelines for Using Commas

  • Commas are used to separate three or more equal elements (words, phrases, or short clauses) in a series; eg., Business letters usually contain a dateline, address, salutation, body, and closing.  James came to school, wrote his exam, and then drove to the ballgame.  Today I lost my wallet, I crashed my car, I missed my plane, and I caught the flu.
  • Commas are used to set off the names of individuals bring addressed; eg., Your question, Mrs. Robinson, is not a foolish one.
  • When parenthetical expressions interrupt the flow of a sentence and are unnecessary for its grammatical completeness, they should be set off with commas; eg., As a matter of fact, I sold my car yesterday.  I am, however, shopping for a new one today.
  • When dates, addresses, and geographical items contain more than one element, the second and succeeding elements are normally set off by commas; eg.,  The meeting was held on March 6 at our home.  The meeting was held on March 6, 2001, at our home.  The parcel from Banff, Alberta, was lost.
  • When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, or, nor, or but), use a comma before the conjunction; eg., We can mail your package this Friday, but we must have your payment first.
  • When a dependent clause precedes an independent clause, it is followed by a comma; eg., Although I am tired, I will keep working.
  • If a dependent clause falls at the end of a sentence, use a comma only if the dependent clause is an afterthought; eg., I will keep working, although I am tired.  I will keep working since I am not tired.  (No comma needed.)
  • If a dependent clause provides information that is unnecessary for the grammatical completeness of a sentence, use commas to set it off; eg., Jack Simpson, who retired early, has too much time to waste.
  • In determining whether a dependent clause is essential or nonessential, ask yourself whether the reader needs the information contained in the clause to identify the word it explains; eg., The man who retired early has too much time to waste.
  • A phrase that precedes a main clause is followed by a comma only if the phrase contains a verb form or has five or more words; eg., Beginning March 1, Eric began his fitness program.  In a period of only one month, he lost 20 pounds.
  • Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives that equally describe a noun; eg., The employer is looking for a flexible, friendly administrative assistant.  (Note:  If and could be inserted between the two adjectives, use a comma.)  Susie bought a shiny new blue sports car.  (No commas between the adjectives because and could not be inserted.)
  • An appositive that provides information not essential to the identification of the word it describes should be set off by commas; eg., Roxanne Stirling, the new marketing manager, has a reputation for tardiness.
  • Degrees following individuals’ names are set off by commas.  (Abbreviations such as Jr. and Sr. are also set off by commas unless the individual referred to prefers to omit the commas; eg., Freda G. Mitchell, M.B.A., works at the downtown branch of our firm.
  • The abbreviations Inc. and Ltd. Are set off by commas only if a company’s legal names has a comma just before this kind of abbreviation; eg., Sampson and Bleeks, Inc., is based in Edmonton.  Computers Inc. is establishing a fine reputation in this city.  (Note:  If there is a comma before the abbreviation, there must be a comma after it.)
  • A comma is used to show the omission of words that are understood; eg., On Tuesday we received ten cards; on Wednesday, only three.
  • Commas are used to set off contrasting or opposing expressions; eg., The greater the effort, the greater the reward.
  • Commas are used to separate words repeated for emphasis; eg., The project is a long, long way from completion.
  • Commas are used to separate words that may be misread if not separated; eg., Whatever is, is correct.
  • A comma is used to separate a short quotation from the rest of a sentence; eg., The magician asked, “Has anyone seen my rabbit?”  “Not I,” said the trapeze artist, “but I think the lion tamer may know.”
  • A comma is used to separate a question added to a statement; eg., You will take me to the party, won’t you?

 

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