Comma Rules

Along with some semi-colon and colon tips

Comma Rule #1

• Use commas at the end of introductory clauses and phrases. 

• Before you go, I need your address and phone number.

• Notice how the comma is placed where the speaker would naturally pause.

Comma Rule #2

• Use commas to separate words, phrases, and clauses in a series.   

• They will deliver pizza to Portland, Westbrook, and Gorham, but not Standish.

• Notice how the commas are placed where you would start a new line if you were making a list.

Comma Rule #3

• Use commas before coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so, when they join two main clauses.  

• They agreed to meet in 20 years, yet they doubted it would really happen.

• Remember these conjunctions by the acronym FANBOYS

Comma Rule #4

• Use commas before and after most dependent clauses modifying a noun or a verb.   My toaster oven, which has never been cleaned, is hidden away in a cabinet.

• In this example, the clause “which has never been cleaned” modifies “oven” and needs to be set off by commas.

• Notice how you naturally pause when you read this sentence.

Comma Rule #5

• Use commas to separate adjectives if the two adjectives could have the word “and” between them or if the the adjectives could be reversed.

• He gave a short, evasive statement to the media about the controversy. 

• Note: If in doubt, leave the comma out, as in this example: She had a profound spiritual longing.

• The word “profound” could be modifyng “spiritual” or “longing, so it’s best to leave the comma out.

Comma Rule #6

• Use commas either to introduce quotations or at the end of the quotation (if the speaker is identified there).”

• “I am not a crook,” said the president.

• The president said, “I am not a crook.”

• PLEASE notice how the comma goes inside the quotation mark in the first example!

Comma Rule #7

• Use commas after transitional words such as: however, therefore, and finally.

•  The team was expected to win the tournament. However, the opposing team had other ideas.

• Note that the two main clauses could be separated by a semicolon instead of a period.

• Which brings us to a short discussion of….

Semicolon Tip #1

• Using a semicolon to connect two independent thoughts or sentences is most appropriate when there is a cause/effect or some other relationship between the two.

• She was ecstatic with her grade on the test; it meant that she would pass the class.

• Note how the second independent clause wouldn’t make much sense without the first, thus establishing the relationship between them.

Semicolon Tip #2

• The semicolon can also act as a “super comma” when listing items that already contain commas.

•  The photos for my book came from: The Museum of Modern History, New York City, NY; The Library of Congress, Washington DC; and The Boston Public Library, Boston, Mass.

• Notice how the list is introduced with a colon.

Finally

• Using dashes and colons is the sign of a thoughtful writer—one who understands how to emphasize points and make connections in an interesting way.

• However, they can be overused very easily.

• Try not to use them more than a couple of times in a 2-3 page essay.