Comma Usage

(1) Use a comma before the conjunction to separate two

independent clauses in a compound sentence.

Examples:• Nick went to the parade last night, and he caught an entire bag of golden

beads. • Donald enjoys visiting foreign countries, but Christina prefers to explore the

United States.

• Note: Do not use a comma if there is not a complete sentence on both sides of the conjunction.

• Example: Nick went to the parade last night and caught an entire bag of beads.

(2) *Use commas to separate words, phrases, or clauses

in a series.

Examples:

• Trina’s report was clear, pertinent, and well-written.• Elizabeth reached the ruins by bus, by mule, and by foot.

• Note: Do not use commas when conjunctions are used to separate all the items in a series.

• Example: Brittany said she needed to buy oranges and milk and bread.

(3) *Use commas to separate adjectives of equal rank.

Examples:

• The confident, dignified woman rose to speak.

• Sam’s impatient, excited puppy yelped loudly.

(4) Do not use commas to separate adjectives that must stay in a

specific order.

Examples:

• Most serious accidents can be prevented.

• Ali’s little brother pedaled off on the little red tricycle.

(5) *Use a comma after an introductory

word, phrase, or clause.Examples:

• Well, Jarrett finds it difficult to decide.• Certainly, Ashley may borrow that book.• At the very top of the mountain, Thomas saw snow.• Walking slowly, Stephanie reached the top of the

mountain in about ten hours.• To get to the store before it closed, Kim ran all the way.• When the team got off the plane, hundreds of fans

cheered

(6) *Use commas to set off words of direct address.

Examples:

• Shey, stop this car right now.

• Pay attention, class, while we review comma usage.

(7) *Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions and/or words that interrupt the flow of a

sentence.

Examples:• The tennis match,

therefore, was held.• You know, of course,

that she is ill.• Courtney wore the

red coat, not the blue one.

(8) *Use commas to set off nonessential expressions.

Examples:

• The part was played by Johnny Depp, the famous actor.

• Neil, my student, used to live in Texas.

• My Camry, which is blue, needs a new battery.

• Francis Scott Key, who was a lawyer, wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner."

(9) Do not use commas to set off essential expressions.

Examples:• The part was played by the famous actor

Johnny Depp.• My student Kristen used to live in Russia.• The farm described in the brochure has

already been sold.• Students who are tardy to class for the

fourth time will earn an unexcused absence.

(10) *When a geographical name is made up of two or more parts,

use a comma after each item.Examples:

• My Aunt Becky in Fairhope, Alabama, is a doctor.

• Jessica traveled to Denver, Colorado, this past summer.

• Sarah visited London, England, when she was a member of the Theodore High School Band.

(11) *When a date is made up of two or more parts, use a comma after each item except

when the month is followed by a year or when the date is inverted.

Examples:• Thursday, September

23, is my birthday.• Jessica saw that play

on October 6, 2006, with my cousin.

• In August 2007 we started school.

• On 14 December 2008 Rebecca will visit his cousins in Paris, France.

(12) When a name is followed by one or more titles,

use a comma after the name and after each title.

Examples:

• Ciara York, M.D., is my doctor.

• John Taylor Smith, Jr., received the scholarship.

(13) *Use a comma after each item in an address made up of two or more parts, but do not place a comma

before the zip code.

Examples:

• Jessica used to live at 278 Mims Drive, Denver, Colorado, when she was a little girl .

• Nick’s address is 569 Park Street, Mobile, Alabama 36619.

(14) Use commas to set off a direct quotation from the rest of

the sentence.

Examples:

• "I finished my book report," said Sarah.

• Jessica said, "I finished my book report, too."

(15) Use a comma to prevent a sentence from being

misunderstood.

Examples:

• Unclear:

After the storm clouds disappeared.

• Clear:

After the storm, clouds disappeared.