Comma Rules Rule #1: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that links independent clauses. Independent Clause, and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet independent clause. (FANBOYS) Sample: The sky turned dark gray, and the wind died suddenly. When an independent clause containing other commas is linked by a coordinating conjunction, you may choose to use a semicolon in place of comma. The two sentences must be closely related. Sample: Since temperatures remained low all winter, the snow could not melt until spring; some people felt that they would never see grass again.

Rule #2 Use a comma after an introductory clause, phrase, or word. 1.

Introductory Clause

1.

An adverb clause is a dependent clause. It cannot stand-alone because it starts with a subordinating conjunction. When an adverb clause comes before an independent clause, use a comma after the adverb clause Sample: When it comes to eating, you can sometimes help yourself more by helping yourself less. List of Subordinating Conjunctions: Words

Relationship Time Reason or Cause Result or effect Condition

after, before, once, since, until, when, whenever, while as, because, since in order that, so, so that, that if, even if, provided that, unless

Contrast

although, even though, though, whereas

Location

when, wherever

Choice

rather than, than, whether

b. Introductory phrase A phrase is a group of words that cannot stand-alone as a sentence. When a phrase comes before an independent clause, use a comma after the phrase.

1.

Prepositional phrase:

Common prepositions About, above, according to across, after, against, along, along with, among, apart from, around a, as for, at, because of, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, but, by, by means of, concerning, despite, down, during, except, except for, excepting, for, from, in, in addition to, in back of, in case of, in front of, in place of, inside, in spite of, instead of, into, like, near, next of, off, on, onto, on top of, out, out of, outside, over, past, regarding, round, since, through, throughout, till, to toward, under, underneath, unlike, until, up, upon, up to, with, within, without Sample: Between 1544 and 1689, sugar refineries appeared in London and NY.

2.

Past-Participial phrases – the "ed" form of a regular verb

Sample: Obtained mainly from sugar cane and sugar belts, sugar is also developed from sap and maple trees

3.

Present-Participial phrases – verbs ending in –ing form

Sample: Beginning in infancy, we developed lifelong tastes for sweet foods.

4. Sample:

Infinitive Phrases –

To satisfy a craving for ice cream, even timid people sometimes brave midnight streets

c. Introductory words Transitional expressions:

Relationship -----Words Addition = also, in addition, too, moreover, and, besides, furthermore, equally important, then, finally Example = for example, for instance, thus, as an illustration, namely, specifically, Contrast = but, yet, however, on the one hand/on the other hand, nevertheless, nonetheless, conversely, in contrast, still, at the same time.

Comparison = similarly, likewise, in the same way Concession = of course, to be sure, certainly, granted Result = therefore, thus, as a result, so, accordingly Summary = hence, in short, in brief, in summary, in conclusion, finally Time Sequence = first, second, third, next, then, finally, afterwards, before, soon, later, meanwhile, subsequently, immediately, eventually, currently

Place = in the front, in the foreground, in the back, in the background, at the side, adjacent, nearby, in the distance, here, there Conjunctive Adverbs: Relationship ----- Words

Addition = also, furthermore, moreover, besides Contrast = however, still, nevertheless, conversely, nonetheless, instead, otherwise Comparison = similarly, likewise Summary = therefore, thus, consequently, accordingly, hence, then Time = next, then, meanwhile, finally, subsequently Emphasis = indeed, certainly

Rule #3 Use commas to separate items in a series. A series is a group of three or more elements – words, phrases, or clauses. Items in a series must be parallel Samples Culture is a way of thinking, feeling, and believing. (thinking, feeling, believing are all parallel) My love of flying goes back to those early days of roller skates, of swings, of bicycles. (of is the parallel) We have been taught that children develop by ages and stages that the steps are pretty much the same for everybody, and that to grow out of limited behavior of childhood, we must climb them all.

Rule #4 Use commas to separate coordinating adjectives Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives that equally modify a noun. Sample: The huge, restless crowd waited for the concert to begin. (Both huge and restless modify crowds, so a comma is used.)

Rule #5 Use commas to set off nonrestrictive (nonessential) elements. Restrictive elements contain information essential for the reader to understand the full meaning of the word or words that it modifies. Comas are not needed. Sample: Some states retest drives that are over the age sixty-five to check their driving competency. The relative clause "who are over age sixty-five” limits the word drivers so that a reader understands which drives are being retested (not all drivers, only those over age sixtyfive.) Therefore, who are over age sixty- five is restrictive. Commas are not needed. Nonrestrictive element is not essential for a reader to understand the full meaning of the word or words that it modifies. It describes but does not limit (does not "restrict") what it modifies. Commas are needed. Sample: My parents, who are both over age sixty-five, took a defensive driving course last year.

The relative clause "who are over age sixty-five” describes "my parents," but it is not essential to a reader’s understand which parents took a defensive driving course last year. Therefore "who are both over age sixty-five" is nonrestrictive. Commas are needed.

Rule #6 Use commas to set off transitional and parenthetical Expressions of contrast, words of direct address, and tag sentences. Words, phrases, or clauses that interrupt a sentence but do not change its essential meaning should be set off, usually, with commas. 1. Transitional Phrases Conjunctive Adverbs: (See list Rule #2) Introductory Words (See list Rule # 2)

1.

Parenthetical Expressions are "asides." They add information to sentences. Set them off with commas. Sample: A major drought, sad to say, reduces wheat crop drastically.

2.

Expressions of contrast describe something by stating what it is not.

Sample: Feeding the world’s population is a serious, though not intractable, problem.

3.

Words of direct address indicate the person or group spoken to.

Sample: Join me, brothers and sister, to end hunger.

4.

Tag sentences consist of a verb, a pronoun, and often the word is used as a contraction. Sample: People’s response to the announcement of a blood shortage was impressive, wasn’t it? People will give blood regularly, I hope.

Rule #7 Use commas in dates, names, addresses, correspondence, and numbers.

Sample Dates: • • •

July 20, 1969. Sunday, July 20. Everyone wanted to be near a television set on July 20, 1969, to watch the lunar landing.

Sample names, places, and addresses • • • • • • • •

Rosa Gonzales, M.D. The jury listened closely to the expert testimony of Rosa Gonzales, M.D., last week. Martin Luther King, Jr. Henry Ford II Troyka, Davis Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Liberty Bell has been on display in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for many years. I wrote to Mr. U. Lern, 10-01 Rule Road, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458, for the instruction manual.

Sample correspondence • • •

Dear Betty, Sincerely yours, Best regards,

Rule #8 Use commas to set off quoted words from explanatory word Sample Speaking of ideal love, the poet William Blake wrote, "Love seekth not to itself to please." Sample "My love is a fever," said William Shakespeare about love’s passion Sample "I love no one," proclaimed Mary, "but thee."

Rule #9 Use commas to clarify meaning. Sometimes a comma can clarify the meaning of a sentence, even though no other rules call for one. Often, revising the sentence is a better solution than relying on a comma. Sample • • •

Of the gymnastic team’s twenty, five were injured. Those who can, practice many hours a day. George dressed, and he performed for the sellout crowd.