Comma Uses
Here’s the idea
•Commas make writing clearer by
separating words, ideas, and other
elements in sentences.
Commas in a Series
• In a series of three or more items, use a comma after every item
except the last one.
The items in a series may be words, phrases or clauses.
Rocks, snags and shoals can be hazardous to boats.
The boat hit a rock, took on water and sank into the sea.
We do no know when the boat sank, where it was headed or
who was aboard.
• No commas are needed if the items in a series are joined by
“and,” “or,” or “nor.”
The sea was dark and deep and menacing.
• Use a comma after the introductory words first, second and
so on when they introduce items in a series.
You’ll pass three landmarks on the way to the island: first,
the lighthouse; second, Star Point; and third, Lil’s Landing.
• Use commas between two or more adjectives that
modify the same noun.
A thick, damp fog blanketed the coastline.
Here’s How: Adding Commas Between
Adjectives
The captain issued orders in a low tense voice.
1. First, switch the order of the adjectives and insert the word “and”
between them
The captain issued orders in a tense and low voice.
2. Add a comma if the meaning of the sentence has not changed, AND
the word “and” sounds natural between the adjectives.
The captain issued orders in a low, tense voice.
• In general, don’t use commas after numbers and adjectives of size,
shape and age.
five small boats
a big yellow moon
a round nylon cushion
the old stone lighthouse
Commas with Introductory Elements
• Use a comma after an introductory word or a mild interjection at
the beginning of a sentence.
No, our crew was unable to call for help.
Eventually, a ship spotted us.
Hey, what’s that in the water over there?
• Use a comma after an introductory prepositional phrase that
contains one or more additional prepositional phrases.
In the spring of 1930, marine science took a giant step forward.
For the first time in history, a scientist explored the ocean’s depths.
A single prepositional phrase at the beginning of a sentence may be set
off by a comma if it is followed by a natural pause when it is read out
loud. Don’t use a comma if the sentence is very short or if you would
not pause: At first they didn’t know what they would find.
• Use a comma after a verbal phrase at the beginning of a sentence.
To make the half-mile dive, scientists and engineers designed a
deep-sea vehicle.
• Use a comma after an introductory adverb or an adverb clause at
the beginning of a sentence.
Fortunately, the vehicle worked well.
When scientist William Beebe made the first dive, he was amazed
by what he saw.
Watch Out tip:
• Do not use a comma after a phrase or a clause that is
the subject of a sentence.
To survive at such depths is difficult.
What he saw amazed him.
Commas with Interrupters
• Use commas to set off a parenthetical expression.
A parenthetical expression provides explanatory or
supplementary information that is closely related to the
sentence.
Beebe did, of course, keep a journal.
He took notes, I believe, on several previously unknown
species.
Common parenthetical expressions
After all
Furthermore
I suppose
nevertheless
By the way
However
In fact
Of course
For example
I believe
Moreover
Therefore
• Use commas to set off words of direct address.
Words of direct address are names, titles, terms of respect
and phrases used to address an individual directly.
“Thank you, Captain Lowry, for a job well done.
“It was nothing, sir.”
Commas with Nonessential Material
• Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and nonessential
participial phrases. Both these sentence parts add information to a
sentence, but the information is not essential to the meaning of the
sentence.
Advanced Lifesaving, which is an excellent course, prepares students to be
lifeguards. (Nonessential Clause)
Mrs. Lewis, worried about her daughter’s safety, paced nervously on the shore.
(Nonessential participial phrase)
• Use commas to set off nonessential appositives. A nonessential
appositive is a word or a phrase that adds information about a noun
or pronoun.
• Scientist transformed the H.M.S. Challenger, a British warship, into
a floating laboratory.
An essential appositive is not set off with commas.
Rachel Carson’s book The Sea Around Us helped raise public
awareness of ocean pollution.
Practice and Apply
1. On a warm day in 1620 King James I of England witnessed an
amazing test.
2. Cornelis Drebbel a Dutch scientist demonstrated an underwater
boat for the king.
3. Drebbel had in fact invented the first successful submarine.
4. To waterproof the wooden vessel Drebbel covered it with greased
leather.
5. Because few sources of energy were available Drebbel relied on
manpower to propel the vessel.
•Stop
More Comma Uses
Commas with Quotations
• Use commas to set off the explanatory words (such as he said or
she asked) of a direct quotation
• Commas, like periods, always go inside closing quotation marks.
Mrs. Lewis called, “ a boat has capsized!”
Mrs. Lewis pointed out at the ocean. “The boat tipped over, “ she explained,
“about 100 yards due east of here.”
Commas in Compound Sentences
• Use a comma before the coordinating conjunction that joins the two
independent clauses of a compound sentence.
Ida Lewis jumped into her rowboat, and she headed due east.
• Use a comma before the conjunctions yet and for when they join
independent clauses.
Lewis feared the worst, yet she hoped for the best.
She was worried about the victims, for the water was cold.
• Do not use a comma to separate the verb phrases of a
compound predicate.
Lewis jumped into her rowboat and quickly headed due
east.
compound predicate
Watch Out!
• Make sure you use a comma and a conjunction between
independent clauses. Using a comma without a conjunction
will result in a run-on sentence.
It was the middle of winter, the water was extremely cold. (run-on sentence)
It was the middle of winter, and the water was extremely cold. (correct)
Commas in Dates, Place Names, and Letters
• In dates, use a comma to separate the day of the month from the
year.
April 15, 2003
November 1, 1960
• Don’t use a comma when only the month and the year are given.
April 1965
• When a date is part of a sentence, use a comma after the year.
On October 1, 1975, a ship was lost at sea.
• Use a comma to separate the name of a city or town
and the name of its state, province or country.
Dallas, Texas
Houston, Texas
When an address is part of a sentence, use a comma after
each item; however, o not put a comma between the name of
a state and the Zip code.
Please forward my mail to 4795 Seaside Drive, Manisota,
Florida 36006.
• Use a comma after the salutation of a friendly letter
and after the closing of a friendly or business letter.
• Hello Aunt Lucy,
Dearest Charlie,
• Love,
Yours truly,
Sincerely,
Commas with Names and Numbers
• Use a comma between a personal name and an
abbreviation that follows it, such as Jr., Sr., or M.D. Also
use a comma between a business name and an
abbreviation, such an Inc.
• Lara Johnson, M.D.
Paradise Cruises, Inc.
• When names and abbreviations are part of a sentence, set off the
abbreviations with commas.
Paradise Cruises, In., has hired Lara Johnson, M.D., as its medical director.
Commas to Avoid Confusion
• Use a comma to separate words or phrases that might be
misunderstood when they are read.
• Here are four ways commas can clear up confusion in your
sentences.
1. Use a comma before the conjunction “but” or “for”
when it may be mistaken for a preposition.
Confusing: The victims were grateful for the young woman
had saved their lives.
Clear: The victims were grateful, for the young woman had
saved their lives
2. Use a comma after an introductory adverb that could
be mistaken for a preposition.
Confusing: Inside the boat was in good condition
Clear: Inside, the boat was in good condition
3.
Use a comma to separate a short introductory verbal phrase from
the noun that follows it.
Confusing: While rocking the boat almost capsized
Clear: While rocking, the boat almost capsized.
4. Use a comma to separate repeated words
Confusing: What an “old salt” is is an experienced
sailor.
Clear: What an “old salt” is, is an experienced.
• Use a comma to indicate the words left out of
parallel word groups, or word groups that repeat the
same structure.
The captain was old; the crew, young.
David ordered lobster, and Connie, softshell crabs.
Practice and Apply
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
It was a lazy day in September 1859. Off Lime Rock Rhode Island the breeze
was light; the sea calm.
Captain Hosea Lewis leapt out of his rocking chair for he saw an alarming
sight.
“Have a look out there” he called to his daughter. He added “Those boys
bobbing in the water can’t swim.”
Ida Lewis scanned the sea with her eyes and located the problem.
Nearby four boys were clinging to their capsized sailboat.
•Stop
Semicolons and Colons
• Here’s the idea:
• a semicolon separates different elements within a
sentence
• a colon indicated that an example or explanation
follows
Semicolons
• Use semicolons to separate items in a series if any of the items
contain commas.
• The divers gathered at dawn; put on their tanks, masks, gloves and wet suits;
and jumped off the pier into the ocean.
• Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by a
conjunction if either clause contains commas.
The deep sea once appeared to be cold, murky and lifeless; but scientist have
discovered strange fish living in this region.
• Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses of a compound sentence if no
coordinating conjunction is used (this indicates a stronger relationship). Don’t
use a semicolon, unless they are closely related.
The storm struck with savage fury, but our house was not damaged at all. (not a
strong relationship)
The storm struck with savage fury; it demolished most of the coastal town.
Use a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb or a parenthetical expression that
joins the clauses of a compound sentence. Use a comma after the adverb.
• Conjunctive adverb: The weather was stormy; therefore, we postponed our
sailing trip.
• Parenthetical expression: Storms pose great risks for sailors; in fact, they can
be deadly.
Colons
• Use a colon to introduce a list of items.
On a short sailing trip, you should bring these items: a lifejacket, a pair of
sunglasses, a tube of sunscreen and water.
Do not use a colon in the following situations: after a verb, in the middle
of a prepositional phrase or after the word “because” or “as.”
Incorrect: The three longest rivers in
the world are: the Nile, the Amazon
and the Yangtze.
Correct: These are the three longest
rivers in the world: the Nile, the
Amazon and the Yangtze.
Incorrect: I have swum in: the Atlantic
Ocean the Pacific Ocean and the
Mediterranean Sea.
Correct: I have swum in the following
bodies of water: the Atlantic Ocean, the
Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean
Sea.
Incorrect: The ship was in danger
because: a terrible storm was
approaching.
Correct: The ship was in danger because
a terrible storm was approaching.
• Use a colon between two independent clauses when the second
clause explains or summarizes the first.
The captain was right: we should have waited out the storm.
• Use a colon to introduce a formal or long quotation.
Winston Churchill inspired the people of England with there words:
“ We shall fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire.”
Hot Tip!
• After a colon, capitalize the first word of a formal statement. If the
statement is informal, it should begin with a lowercase letter.
Other uses of Colons
• After the formal salutation of a business letter
Dear Madam:
• After labels that signal important dates
Beware: These waters contain sharks.
• Between the hour and minute figure of clock time
12:15 PM
• Between chapter and verse when referring to certain religious
works
Psalm 23:7