Commas
In the most general sense, commas are used to separate things. One example of this is the use of
commas between the items of a list of more than two things.
This, that, and the other
Classes in English, math, history, and science
Note: There is no comma in a list of two things because the word and makes a clear distinction
between one thing and the other one.
Commas are also used to show separation between the clauses of a sentence.
Mary is a good friend, and she is beautiful too.
Jesse likes her, so he asked her out.
A dependent clause may or may not be set off by a comma, depending on its position. No comma
is used if an independent clause is written before one which is dependent upon it. If the
dependent clause comes first, a comma should be used.
I like to listen to music while I write. (no comma is needed)
While I eat my sandwich, I often read as well.
An appositive, a reference to the word or phrase right before it, also requires a comma.
The team captain, Jim, made MVP.
She likes that one, the one on the end.
K. Kirouac 10/14