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Comma Rules

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Comma Rules

Uploaded by

Bella Shye

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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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Rules for Using Commas

American vs. British English Use of a Comma

The major difference between American and British English and the use of the comma is with the serial
comma (or Oxford comma in the UK). In the U.S. serial commas are most often used in all lists, no matter
what. In the UK, however, Oxford commas are only used when the meaning of the items in the list would
be unclear. Here’s an example of when both American and British English would use the serial/Oxford
comma:

I’m going to the park with my sisters, Kelly, and June. – By using the serial/Oxford comma here, we are
making it clear that the author is going to the park with their sisters and Kelly and June. Writing it as ‘I’m
going to the park with my sisters, Kelly and June‘ may imply that the sisters are called Kelly and June. So
to avoid confusion, we use the serial/Oxford comma.

Below we’ll provide an example in which American writers and British writers might differ in their use of
the serial or Oxford comma:

British Example:

I’m going to pick up bananas, grapes, apples and pears. – In British English it would be seen as
unnecessary to use an Oxford comma after apples and before pears, because it is obvious that the two
are separate items. Remember, British English only requires the use of an Oxford comma if it is otherwise
confusing.

American Example:

I’m going to pick up bananas, grapes, apples, and pears. – In American English, a serial comma is often
used in all lists, regardless of whether it would make sense without one.
When to Use a Comma

Comma Rules

1. We use commas to separate a series of words

2. To separate a series of phrases

3. To connect two independent clauses

4. To set off introductory phrases or clauses

5. Used after certain words that introduce a sentence

6. To separate the parenthetical elements

7. To separate coordinate adjectives

8. To separate the quoted parts

9. To set off phrases to express contrast

10. To avoid confusion

11. To set off expressions that interrupt the sentence flow

12. To separate dates, years, addresses…

13. To separate a statement from a tag question

When to Use Commas (with Examples of Using Commas in Sentences)

1. Separate a Series of Words

We use commas between words in a series. Notice that a comma does not follow the last word in the
series.

Examples:

 See, listen, and be silent, and you will live in peace.

 He was tall, dark, and handsome.

 Do you want some cakes, candies or ice cream?

2. Separate a Series of Phrases

Examples:

 I like reading books, listening to music, watching TV, and studying English.
3. Connect Two Independent Clauses

We use commas to separate two complete statements.

Examples:

 It’s an old car, but it’s very reliable.

 I was feeling hungry, so I made myself a sandwich.

 Although she is very poor, she has not lost her dignity.

 He walked all the way home, and he shut the door.

4. Set off Introductory Phrases or Clauses

We use a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of the sentence.

 Having finally arrived in town, we went shopping.

 As the day came to an end, the firefighters put out the last spark.

 Talking with her, you’d try to head off your happy marriage.

5. After Certain Words that Introduce a Sentence

Examples:

 Well, I’m not going home on foot, at any rate.

 Hey, don’t tell me what to do.

 Yes, I’ll be there. Thanks for reminding me.

6. Separate the Parenthetical Elements

A parenthetical element adds extra information and can be removed from the sentence without
changing the meaning of the sentence.

Examples:

 Football, which is a popular sport, is very good for health.

 My grandmother, old and sick, never goes out of the house.

 We visited Sydney Opera House, Australia, last week.

7. Separate Coordinate Adjectives

We place commas between adjectives, if two ore more adjectives modify a noun in the same way. These
are called coordinate adjectives which can be identified by the fact that the word and can be inserted
between them and their order can be reversed.

Example:

 Followers feel energetic, confident and happy.

 He is a competent, efficient worker.

8. Separate the Quoted Parts

Examples:

 He asked,”Do you want to go with me?”

 The teacher asked, “Do you love English?”

 “I don’t think you should do that,” he said.

9. Set off Phrases to Express Contrast

We also use commas to set off contrasting expressions beginning with not, but…

Examples:

 Money is a good servant, but a bad master.

 The golden age is before us, not behind us.

 Adversity makes a man wise, not rich.

10. Avoid Confusion

We also add a comma in some cases to make a sentence clear.

Examples:

 For most, the year is already finished.

 I saw that she was busy, and prepared to leave.

11. Set off Expressions that Interrupt the Sentence Flow

Examples:

 This, after all, is a company which is awash with cash.

 On the other hand, many women choose to go out to work.

 We all tried our best. However, we lost the game.

12. Separate Dates, Years, Addresses…

Examples:

 We will meet Friday, July 15.

 I was born in August 26, 2001.

 The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500.

13. Separate a Statement from a Tag Question

We use this punctuation mark to set off a tag question which is used at the end of the statement to ask
for confirmation.

 There weren’t any problems when you talked to Jack, were there?

 Let’s take the next bus, shall we?

 We have never seen that, have we?

 You’re moving to London, are you?

 This will work, won’t it?

 There‘s nothing wrong, is there?

When Not to Use a Comma

The following section will cover the instances when using a comma is unnecessary. We don’t have the
space to tell you all the situations in which you shouldn’t use a comma, but we will highlight all the
situations in which people most often use a comma, when it isn’t necessary. This should help you avoid
making these same mistakes.

As a general rule though, whenever we use a comma in a sentence we should test if it works by reading
it and taking an exaggerated pause where the comma is. If it feels unnecessary or as though it takes
away from the meaning or tone of the sentence, then you should probably remove the comma and see if
the sentence works better without it.
Common Mistakes with a Comma

Below are the most common mistakes that people make when using a comma.

 When There Are Only Two Items in a List

People often get in the habit of adding a comma whenever there are more than one
item/object/subject/character in a sentence, and people can be tempted to add an unnecessary comma
here. For example:

 From the store, I just need to pick up lipstick, and eyeshadow. (incorrect)

This comma is unnecessary because there are only two items on this list. We should write it as:

 From the store, I just need to pick up lipstick and eyeshadow. (correct)

Notice how the first comma remains. That is because ‘From the store’ is an introductory phrase that is a
subordinate clause, because it makes no sense without the rest of the sentence. So, a comma is
necessary here, but not to separate the two items in the list.

 When Two Actions Relate to One Subject

If there are two actions that both relate to the same subject of the sentence, then a comma is
unnecessary. However, plenty of people still make this mistake. For example:

 I walked home through the park, and sang along to my music. (incorrect)

A comma is unnecessary in this case because both actions refer to the subject ‘I’. So we should write it as:

 I walked home through the park and sang along to my music. (correct)

 After the Last Item in a List

If a list is given and then the sentence continues after the list, people are tempted to place a comma
after the last item. This is, however, a mistake, and a very common one at that. For example:

 Jamie, Daniel, and Lisa, were terrified the moment they stepped inside. (incorrect)

The problem with this mistake is that pausing after Lisa where the comma is somewhat natural. So when
reading back your work to identify the mistake, it may be difficult. Just remember, that a comma is never
necessary before the first item in a list, or after the last item in a list. We should write it as:

 Jamie, Daniel, and Lisa were terrified the moment they stepped inside. (correct)
Questions

Now that you know all about commas, we’ve put together this little quiz to see if we can catch you out.
Decide whether the following sentences use a comma correctly or incorrectly, and if you think it’s
incorrect, think about how it should be written:

1. Walking down the street I spotted two of my friends Tim, and Alice.

2. I need to pick up chocolate, eggs, sugar, and butter from the store.

3. Alice, whose tattoo was still healing, decided not to get in the swimming pool.

4. I have to remember a toothbrush, a change of clothes, a drink, and a towel, for the trip.

5. Tim switched on the TV, and sat down to watch.

Practice with Commas

Directions: Put commas where they belong. A few of these sentences do not need commas.

1. We are having peas and carrots roast beef and cake for dinner.

2. Mr. Morton my English teacher says we have to learn how to use commas.

3. He says “Remember Bob use commas before and after you address someone directly.”

4. Kelly said “Did you do the homework Angie?”

5. The teachers at Ericson Academy work hard to teach the students.

6. Alex painted the fence white blue and green.

7. We waited at the bus stop on Central Park Avenue after school.

8. My mom who is a nurse cares for the sick injured and disabled

9. One famous basketball player Michael Jordan won five MVP awards.

10. “Don’t go there” said Formica.

11. Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish writer of novels poems and essays.

12. Now Mr. Bond we will saw you in half.

13. Tequita said “Stop talking to me Renisha.”

14. Chicago the largest city in the Midwest is the home of the skyscraper blues and deep-dish pizza.

15. No Jackie I don’t want to go with Mark.

16. Alice said “But they keep picking on me Rudy.”

17. Emilio my next-door neighbor has two daughters a son and a puppy.

18. That Tuesday which also happens to be my birthday is the only day we can take the test.

19. Fred who often cheats on his homework is really only harming himself.

20. Brett Favre the quarter back for the team is having a bad week.

Part Two: On the back of this sheet write three sentences for each of the following tasks:

1. Use commas to set of an interruption in the flow of the sentence.

2. Use commas before and/or after directly addressing someone.

3. Use commas to separate three or more items in a series.

4. Use commas before or after a quotation.

Semicolon or Comma?

Directions: determine whether the clauses need to be joined with commas or semicolons. Put the

proper punctuation on the blank.

1. The artist preferred to paint in oils ____ he did not like watercolors.

2. Even when the house looks clean ____ there is usually a bunch of dirt swept under the rug.

3. I’m going to leave early today ____ unless the boss comes back from the meeting.

4. The computer can perform many calculations at once ____ however, it cannot reason like a
human.

5. In the first place, it was snowing too hard to see the road ____ in the second place, we had
no chains.

6. Italy is my favorite foreign country ____ in fact, I plan on staying there for three weeks this
summer.

7. The challenges are not impossible ___ but they are very hard to clear.

8. I’m going to do all of my English homework every night ____ because that’s how you get an
“A”.

9. If he misses his appointment ____ he’ll have to wait another six months to see the dentist.

10. There are many negative side effects to smoking ___ there are no positive side effects from
smoking.
Comma or Semicolon 2

Directions: Determine whether each sentence needs a comma or semicolon. Put the correct
punctuation

mark on the line. Then explain why that punctuation mark best completes the sentence.

1. When the islanders started fighting amongst themselves _____ the monkeys took control.