EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO

KNOW ABOUTCOMMAS

Are commas important?

A woman without her man is nothing.

Use a comma before the conjunction in a compound

sentence The play’s star is Glenda Glimmer, and

its author is Tennessee Miller.

Miller’s early plays were widely acclaimed, but his more recent ones have failed.

Do not use a comma if there is no full clause after the conjunction

Wrong: George straightened his tie, and put on his jacket.

Right: George straightened his tie and put on his jacket.

Do not use a comma after a conjunction

Wrong: I ordered chicken but, he ordered lobster.

Right: I ordered chicken, but he ordered lobster.

Wrong: But, what did you say?

Right: But what did you say?

Do not use a comma between independent clauses not joined by a

conjunction; use a semicolon instead.

Wrong: the starting gun sounded, the crowd roared.

Right: The starting gun sounded; the crowd roared.

Use a comma to set off introductory elements

Introductory adverb clause:If you pay full tuition now, you may register by

mail.

Introductory prepositional phrase:In the cool air of that April morning, we strolled

along the boulevard.

Introductory verbal phrase:Speaking off the record, the mayor admitted the

error.

Use a comma to separate items in a series

Words: I enjoy the old films of Bogart, Cagney, Garbo and Hepburn.

Phrases: The book is available in bookstores, at newsstands or by mail.

Clauses: She took French lessons, she studied guidebooks and she talked to people who had been to Paris.

Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives

Tall, stately trees lined the roadway.

Vulgar, snide or obscene remarks are not appreciated here.

Note: some combinations flow naturally together and need no comma: little red schoolhouse

Use a comma to separate parenthetical expressions from the main part of the sentence.

She was, in my opinion, outstanding.

He, on the other hand, performed unconvincingly.

It is unfortunate, to be sure.

Use a comma to set off nonrestrictive clauses or phrases

Clauses: Parsons Boulevard, which runs past my

home, is being repaved. Penny Prentiss, who lives in Hill Hall, has

won the award.Phrases: Ms. Atlee, wearing red, is Jack’s sister. Locker 356, with the Yosemite poster, is

mine.

Do not use a comma to set off restrictive (essential) phrases

Clauses: The street which runs past my home is

being repaved. A woman who lives in Hill Hall has won

the award.Phrases: The woman wearing red is Jack’s sister. The locker with the Yosemite poster is

mine.

Use a comma to set off appositives

America’s greatest playwright, Eugene O’Neill, was once a sailor.

The hermit crab, a South Pacific species, seals itself into its home for life.

Use a comma to set off absolute phrases (-ing)

The day being warm, we headed for the beach.

Bosley, his clothes hanging in tatters, staggered into camp.

Other uses of commas:Yes or no at the beginning of a sentence:Yes, we have neckties on sale.

Mild interjections:Well, I’ll have to think that over.

Names or other words used in direct address:

Henry, what are you doing?

Use a comma to set off a direct quotation

“I love you,” she whispered.

“And I,” he replied, “love you.”

Note: With direct quotations, the comma ALWAYS goes inside the quotation marks.

More uses of commas:In place of omitted or understood words:Shirley attends Harvard; her brother, Yale.

Before a confirmatory question:It’s a nice day, isn’t it?

Dates and addresses: September 27, 2001Reno, Nevada

Salutations: Dear John,

Test!1. The car having broken down because of a dirty

carburetor we missed the first act in which Hamlet confronts his father’s ghost.

2. After she had paid her tuition she went to the room in the dormitory where she began unpacking her clothes.

3. The day was so warm and sunny that the entire class wished fervently that the lecture would take place outdoors.

4. Linda Rondstadt who has recorded dozens of hit songs has also starred in the operetta The Pirates of Penzance.