COMMAS
The Basics 1. Separate three or more words She plays volleyball, lacrosse, squash, and tennis. 2. Separate three or more phrases He went down the hill, around the corner, but not into the house. 3. Separate three or more clauses We cannot decide if we're going to the party, if we're going to Note: the clauses begin with “if” 4. Separate coordinate adjectives preceding a noun The narrow, winding road is especially hazardous in winter. Note: Coordinate adjectives work together to describe the noun 5. Separate two sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction She went to work, so he went home. Note: Coordinate conjunctions help two complete sentences make sense together. Use the word FANBOYS to remember the common coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. 6. Set off introductory phrases or clauses in a sentence At the end of the year, we celebrate the death of the old and the birth of the new. Note: To be sure that you need a comma, look at what happens if you delete the introductory words (before the comma) from the sentence. You should have a complete sentence left after the comma. 7. Set off non-restrictive elements in a sentence The dog wagged his tail, which he broke last week. Note: Here, think of the commas as weak parentheses. Non-restrictive means that the elements do not need to be in the sentence--they provide extra or helpful information to the reader. To check that you need a comma, omit the word or words and see if the meaning of the sentence remains clear and unchanged. 8. Set off contrasting phrases I play squash, not tennis. Some Special Occasions 9. Set off interjections, names used in direct address, and tag questions Finals week is, alas, a horrible time for me. 10. Set off non-restrictive appositives "The Bells," by E. A. Poe, is one of my favorites. Note: Appositives are words that are not needed to identify the noun they modify 11. To show omission One plant in our town makes cars; another, furniture. 12. In dates November 7, 1896, is my grandmother's birth date. Note the comma after the year 13. In letters Dear Alanni, 14. In addresses We live at 100 New Street, Oak Tree, Ohio 00000. Note that there is no comma between the state and the ZIP code 15. With quotations Lucy said, "No, I cannot go with you." You are welcome to bring a draft of your paper to the Writing Center for more help. Call 777-2078 for an appointment or for more information.
the movies, or if we're staying home.
She went to work, but he went home.
Walking down the street, Maria found a new penny.
Although it's raining, we're still going to the fair.
Everyone who is late will be penalized.
Time, not money, is the most important thing to spend on children.
Ari, do we need to study together tonight?
We need to study for at least three hours, don't we?
My son, Russ, has black hair.
Shana Troy, who was elected mayor, is my boss.
Sincerely,
One-hundred New Street, Oak Tree, Ohio 00000, is our new address.
"No," Lucy said, "I cannot go with you."
"No, I cannot go with you," said Lucy.