Commas in a series Use commas to separate items in a series/list Ex. Beasley likes to eat, sleep, and bark. (words) Beasley is naughty in the morning, during school, and at night. (phrases) When using and, or, or nor, people sometimes omit the last comma. This, however, can make sentences unclear. Ex. Mike, Emma and Beasley went to the park. It looks as though Mike is being addressed in the sentence. Mike, Emma, and Beasley went to the park. It is evident that the three are a group. Special rules: 1. If all items in a series are separated by and, or, or nor, do not add commas. Ex. Beasley and Mike and Emma went to the park. 2. Commas are generally not added before or after the list. Ex. I enjoy, walking, running, and cuddling with Beasley. The comma after enjoy is unneeded. I enjoy walking, running, and cuddling, with Beasley. The comma after cuddling is unneeded. 3. Short independent clauses (complete thoughts) may be separated by commas. Ex. I came, I saw, I conquered. -Julius Caesar 4. Use commas to separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun. Ex Beasley is a stubborn, defiant dog. NOTE do not use a comma before the final adjective if it s considered a part of a compound noun. Ex. Let s play this new video game. A comma after new isn t necessary since video is considered a part of the noun.
Independent Clauses 1. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) when it joins independent clauses. Ex. Beasley ate a plate of chocolate, and now he is sick. These two clauses are connected by and and a comma. The comma may be omitted from two short independent clauses if the sentence isn t awkward without it. CLEAR The phone rang and I answered it. UNCLEAR The teacher called on Maria and John began to answer. CLEAR The teacher called on Maria, and John began to answer. MAKE SURE THE COMMA IS SEPARATING TWO SEPARATE SENTENCES. Simple sentence Beasley had eaten an entire plate of cookies but didn t get sick from eating them. didn t get sick from eating them isn t a complete sentence. Compound sentence Beasley ate an entire plate of cookies, but he didn t get sick from eating them. Two complete sentences.
Nonessential Clauses and Phrases Commas separate subordinate clauses and nonessential participial phrases. A nonessential subordinate clause is not a complete thought and it does not add to the meaning of the sentence. Nonessential clauses Shakespeare, who was born in England, wrote many plays in his lifetime. Beasley, carrying the toy, is turning one in May. An essential subordinate clause or phrase is needed in the sentence in order to make sense. Ex. The election won by Barack Obama was in November of 2008. If you take out the phrase, it doesn t make sense. The election was in November of 2008. (which election?) Sometimes a sentence may contain either. John s cousin, who wants to be a nurse, attended medical school. John has only one cousin, and he attended medical school. John s cousin who wants to be a nurse attended medical school. John has more than one cousin. The one who wants to be a nurse attended medical school. That dress, the one in the window, is the one I want. The dress the one in the window is the one I want.
Introductory Elements Use a comma after certain introductory elements. 1. Use a comma to set off a mild exclamation or interjection. Ex. Well, Beasley seems to be getting better. Yikes, we are late! Yes, I ll go to the mall later. 2. Use a comma after a participle or participial phrase (end in -ing or ed and work as adjectives) Ex. Exhausted, Beasley took a nap. Sitting in his chair, Beasley watched the neighborhood. Do not confuse a participial phrase with a gerund phrase. Gerunds work as nouns and are necessary in sentences. Ex. Training for marathons is challenging. Training for marathons is the subject of the sentence. Ex. Training for marathons, Mrs. Slowinski runs a lot during the year. Training for marathons is used as a participial phrase. 3. Use a comma after two or more introductory prepositional phrases or one long prepositional phrase. Ex. In the morning during breakfast, Beasley tends to get rowdy. In the secret chamber called the golden temple, the treasure was found. A single prepositional phrase doesn t need a comma unless it is awkward without one. At the track, meet me by the snack bar. The comma is needed to avoid reading the track meet 4. Use a comma after an introductory adverb clause (answers when, where, how, to what extent) Ex. After the door was locked, I remembered that my keys were still in my car. If I hadn t gone to the dance, I wouldn t have lost my shoe. If the clause comes first, then the comma is necessary. The comma isn t necessary if the clause comes second.
Interrupters Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt sentences. 1. Nonessential appositives and appositive phrases are set off by commas. Appositives are nouns/pronouns that are placed beside other nouns/pronouns. Nonessential means that it isn t necessary. Ex. Harper Lee s first novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, won the Pulitzer Peace Prize. (The book title is a noun next to the noun novel.) Ex. Beasley, my crazy dog, eats my shoes. Essential appositives are not set off by commas. Ex. Does your friend Mike play the piano? Mike is a noun next to the noun friend. Mike is needed in the sentence to say which friend. 2. Words in direct address are set off by commas. Ex. Mom, can I stay out later tonight? Your essay, John, is very creative. 3. Parenthetical expressions (side remarks) are set off by commas. Commonly used parenthetical expressions are on pg. 358. After all, at any rate, by the way, consequently, for example, however, incidentally, in fact, meanwhile, naturally, nevertheless, therefore, etc. Ex. Incidentally, I won t be home for dinner. It s too late to call now, I believe.
Conventional uses 1. Separate items in dates and addresses. On Sunday, May 2, 2010, Beasley will turn one. Ashwaubenon High School is located at 2391 S. Ridge Road, Green Bay, WI 54304 Commas are used between the: day and the date Sunday, May 2 date and the year May 2, 2010 street and the city 2391 S. Ridge Road, Green Bay the city and the state Green Bay, WI They are not used between the: Month from the day No May, 2, 2010 Yes May 2, 2010 Day from the month if the number is given first No 2, May, 2010 Yes 2 May 2010 Month from the year if no day is given No May, 2010 Yes May 2010 House number from a street name No 2391, S. Ridge Road Yes 2391 S. Ridge Road 2. Use commas in salutations or after closings in letters Dear Grandma, Sincerely, 3. Use commas to set off a title that follows a name Emma Slowinski, M.D. Mike Slowinski, Jr., is a teacher. Comma goes before the abbreviation and after if the abbreviation is in the middle of the sentence. DO NOT USE UNNECCESARY COMMAS!!!