Elizabeth Bowers's COMMA RULES
Elizabeth Bowers
Golden West College

COMMA RULES

DO YOU HAVE A RULE FOR THAT COMMA?


RULES FOR USING COMMAS

RULES FOR USING COMMAS

 

 

  1. A comma separates words and numbers in a series.
    1. Julie, Theresa, and Tri are in class this evening.
    2. The price of our room includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 

  1. A comma may be used to set off an appositive.  An appositive is a word or a group of words that functions as a noun.  An appositive explains more about the noun or pronoun that it follows.  If a comma is not used in setting off the appositive, the meaning can be changed. (See b and c below)
    1. Julie, my sister, is an ESL teacher who teaches in Saudi Arabia. 
    2. Marie, my friend is here.  ( I am addressing Marie)
    3. Marie, my friend, is here. (Marie is my friend)

 

  1. A comma is used after a dependent clause at the beginning of a sentence.
    1. When the sun set in the west, the sky turned a bright red.
    2. After the people left the building, an inspection was done.

 

  1. A quotation (direct speech) is set off by commas from the rest of the sentence.
    1. Diana shouted, “Watch out for that cone in the highway.”
    2. “That book is due in two weeks,” stated the librarian.

 

  1. The comma is used to set off the second and all following items in complete dates and in addresses.
    1. His last trip to Thailand was on December 11, 2000.
    2. Please send your check to 1000 First Street, Alhambra, California.
    3. The play opened on May 1, 2002, and closed on May 15, 2002.

 

  1. Use the comma to set off most parenthetical expressions (unrelated words in a sentence).  These expressions interrupt the thought of the sentence. 
    1. Thang, you know, is graduating in one year. 
    2. Katie, I believe, will win.

 

  1. Such words as of course, indeed, for instance, moreover, and no doubt are set off by commas from the rest of the sentence.
    1. Tom, of course, will attend the meeting.
    2. Your blue jacket, for instance, is warm enough for the ski trip.

 

  1. Introductory words are separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma.
    1. Yes, I will be attending the presentation for your award.
    2. Ms. Nguyen, please return the materials loaned to you last week.

 

  1. A comma is used before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, yet) in a compound sentence.
    1. Jane wants to go to Spain, but I want to go to Peru.
    2. She either went to work, or she cared for her elderly mother.

 
Home | Bio |