Comma Rules Flashcards
Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.
The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave.
The student explained her question, yet the instructor still didn’t seem to understand.
Yesterday was her brother’s birthday, so she took him out to dinner.
Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.
While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door.
Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class.
INCORRECT: The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating.
Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause.
Clause: That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only day when I am available to meet.
Phrase: This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food, on the other hand, is rather bland.
Word: I appreciate your hard work. In this case, however, you seem to have over-exerted yourself.
Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning with that (relative clauses). That clauses after nouns are always essential. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential.
The book that I borrowed from you is excellent.
She believes that she will be able to earn an A.
Students who cheat only harm themselves.
Fred, who often cheats, is just harming himself.
Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.
The candidate promised to lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce crime, and end unemployment.
Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. Be sure never to add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself or to use commas with non-coordinate adjectives.
He was a difficult, stubborn child. (coordinate)
They lived in a white frame house. (non-coordinate)
She often wore a gray wool shawl. (non-coordinate)
Your cousin has an easy, happy smile. (coordinate)
Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift.
He was merely ignorant, not stupid.
The chimpanzee seemed reflective, almost human.
You’re one of the senator’s close friends, aren’t you?
Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer to the beginning or middle of the sentence. Such phrases are free modifiers that can be placed anywhere in the sentence without causing confusion. (If the placement of the modifier causes confusion, then it is not “free” and must remain “bound” to the word it modifies.)
Nancy waved enthusiastically at the docking ship, laughing joyously. (correct)
INCORRECT:Lisa waved at Nancy, laughing joyously. (Who is laughing, Lisa or Nancy?)
Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names.
Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England.
July 22, 1959, was a momentous day in his life. Who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC?
Rachel B. Lake, MD, will be the principal speaker.
Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation.
John said without emotion, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I was able,” she answered, “to complete the assignment.”
In 1848, Marx wrote, “Workers of the world, unite!”
Use commas wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading.
To George, Harrison had been a sort of idol.
