The Comma
Paraphrased from Warriner’s English Grammar and
Composition, Fifth Course
Use commas to separate items in a series
 Ex: the guidance counselor
recommended that I take English,
algebra, chemistry, and French.
 Ex: Will you spend your vacation in the
mountains, on the lake, or at the shore?
Use commas to separate two or more
adjectives that modify the same noun
 Ex: She is a young, dynamic, and creative
woman.
Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for,
yet when they join independent clauses.
 Ex: We subscribe to seven magazines,
and I find it impossible to read each one
every month.
 Ex: Mr. Ballin is a popular teacher, for
he is known to be fair, and he has a sense
of humor.
Use commas to set off nonessential
clauses and nonessential participial
phrases.
 Ex: Margaret Mead, who is a disciple of
Ruth Benedict, is a noted anthropologist.
Use a comma after certain introductory
elements.
 After words such as well, yes, no, why, etc when they begin a
sentence
 Ex: Why, I can’t believe it!
 Ex: No, it’s impossible to leave now.
 Ex: Well, I will think it over.
 Ex:Yes, I can join you tomorrow.
 After an introductory participial phrase
 Ex: Struck by lightening, the ancient oak tree crashed to the
ground.
 After a succession of introductory prepositional phrases
 Ex: During the first half of our trip down the Mississippi, all
five of us were seasick.
 After an introductory adverb clause
 Ex: Because the magazine sometimes contains clever satires
and parodies, we sometimes read it in English class.
Use commas to set off expressions
that interrupt the sentence.
 Appositives ( a word – with or without modifiers -
that follows a noun or pronoun and identifies it or
explains it.)
 Ex: Have you met Mr. Lauro, our new Spanish
teacher?
 Words in direct address
 Ex: Helen, did you hear what I said?
 Ex: I know, Ramon, that you will do well.
 Ex: What is your chief complaint, children?
Parenthetical expressions
A word or phrase that may serve as explanation or qualification, but does not affect
the grammatical construction of the sentence.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
After all
As a matter of fact
By the way
Consequently
For example
However
I believe/hope/think
Incidentally
In fact
In the first place
Naturally
Nevertheless
On the other hand
therefore
 Ex: As a matter of fact, I was just going to call you.
 Ex: That is, of course, only one option.
Use a comma in certain conventional
situations.
 To separate items in dates and addresses
 Ex: The reunion was held on Wednesday,
June 16, 2010.
 After the salutation of a friendly letter and the
closing of any letter
 Ex: Dear Rosa,
 Ex: Sincerely yours,
Do not use unnecessary commas.