COM 2600, COM 3210
Punctuation: Rules for Using Commas
1.
Commas separate, by working with a conjunction, the clauses of a compound sentence.
Commas precede conjunctions (and, but, for, or, nor, yet, so), which join independent clauses to
form compound sentences.
Example: She managed the restaurant, but he did the cooking.
2.
Commas separate elements in a series.
Commas follow all elements in a series except a final pair joined by a conjunction. Such
elements are usually adjectives, verbs or nouns.
Example: The captivated, excited crowd hailed, lauded, and applauded Duncan, Amanda, Joseph
and Adam.
3.
Commas separate attribution from quoted material.
a. Commas set off words of attribution from words of a one-sentence quotation unless a question
mark or exclamation mark is preferred.
Example: "Hello," he said.
Example: “Talent often is inherited,” said Alicia June, professor of psychology.
b. Commas set off words of attribution in an indirect quotation.
Example: This storm, however, isn't expected to dump much precipitation and should exit
the area by Saturday afternoon, forecasters said.
4.
Commas follow introductory matter.
a. Commas follow introductory adverbial clauses.
Example: When he was forced to kick, the coach sent in his best players.
Example: If he is forced to kick, the coach will send in his best players.
b. Commas follow two or more introductory prepositional phrases.
Example: In the spring of 1991, she returned to her hometown.
Example: On the day she returned to her hometown, she saw her best friend.
c.
5.
Commas follow introductory phrases containing verbals.
Example: Singing as she worked, Mary set the table. (gerund phrase)
Example: Kicked by a horse, Don was more than stunned. (participial phrase)
Example: To cure hiccups, eat a teaspoon of sugar. (infinitive phrase)
Commas come before the abbreviation etc. at the end of a series.
Example: Send us what you have: the books, the tapes, etc.
6.
Commas come before the adverbs also, as well, too or yet at the end of a sentence.
Example: The older alumni attended the event, too.
7.
Commas come before the word not when showing contrast.
Example: She said she thought voters preferred Stephens, not Tate.
8.
Commas follow the salutation of a friendly letter and complimentary close of any letter.
©2005 Calvin L. Hall
3/7/16
Commas follow these capitalized elements, such as “Sincerely” and “Very truly yours.” A colon
follows the salutation of any business letter.
Example: Dear Erick,
Example: Dear Dr. Bashir:
9.
Commas follow the date and the year after a month and before and after the abbreviation for
a state following a city.
Example: Dec. 28, 1984, is the date of his birth.
Example: The couple met in Wilmington, N.C., while working at a theater there.
10.
Commas surround the age of a person.
Example: Julius Anyone, 33, was charged Tuesday with 25 felony counts of aiding and abetting,
and 10 counts of misdemeanor aiding and abetting.
11.
Commas surround non-essential words or phrases.
a. Commas set off all parenthetical expressions.
Example: Well, I still don't know, darn it all, if we can get it published.
b. Commas set off appositives, which are words or phrases that describe or modify a noun.
Example: Betty Brown, his mother-in-law, has been married four times.
Example: Betty Brown, a woman who has been married four times, is his mother -in-law.
c.
Commas set off non-essential or nonrestrictive modifying clauses and phrases.
Example: The president, who was still suffering from a cold, canceled his speech.
NOTE: When writing with non-essential or nonrestrictive clauses, be sure you want to add detail, as
opposed to describe a particular item or person.
12.
Commas surround words of direct address.
Commas set off names and titles used in direct address.
Example: Betty, pass the butter.
13.
Commas indicate omitted verbs.
Commas mark the omission of verbs already expressed. Such an expression usually is in another
part of the same sentence.
Example: Talent often is inherited; genius, never.
14.
Commas are used to separate the numbers in numbers 1,000 or greater, except in
addresses.
Example: She drove 1,000 miles to buy her new car, which cost her $27,000.
Example: She drove to 1000 Main St.
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