The Comma

1. The Comma Tanya Foulk

2. When to use a comma within a sentence • Before any of the seven coordinating conjunctions that link the main clauses • Coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet • I am so tired, but I have to write my paper. • Lynda is a kind boss, yet her expectations are high. Exception: You may omit the comma between main clauses that are very short and closely related • I’m tired but I’m listening.

3. To set off most introductory elements (at the beginning of a sentence) • Subordinate clause • Since I arrived early, I didn’t have to wait. • Verbal or verbal phrase • Concerned, Jon’s mother called the school. • Prepositional phrase • In the spring, I will plant my garden • Transitional expression • Incidentally, school funding has suffered over the years. Exception: You may omit comma for short subordinate, prepositional, and transitional clauses if it does not cause confusion • Thus the debate continues.

4. To set off nonessential elements • Nonessential phrases can be omitted with no loss of clarity • Friday, which is my birthday, is the day of the test. • The facts are clear. The issues, on the other hand, are difficult to solve. • In Turkey, however, the laws are more stringent. Test: Remove the element - If the fundamental meaning of the sentence doesn’t change, it’s a nonessential element

5. Nonessential elements cont… Exception: When an expression that we read without pauses such as also, hence, next, now, then, thus, therefore, and instead falls inside or at the ends of clauses the commas may be omitted. • Asian students therefore go to school all year round. Remember: If it’s an essential element (no commas required) • Those who won a gold medal came to our school.

6. Other non essential elements… • Phrases of contrast • The clarity, not the style, is important • Tag questions • They won’t give in, will they? • Yes and no • Yes, Lynda is amazing. • Words of direct address • John, remove your hat. • Mild interjections • Well, I guess I can cover your shift.

7. To set off items in a series • A series consists of three or more items of equal importance which may be words, phrases, or clauses • Robert E. Lee graduated from West Point, governed the state of Virginia, and commanded the Confederate army. • The three main parts of an atom are the proton, electron, and neutron.

8. Between two or more adjectives that modify the same word • These coordinate adjectives may be separated by and or by a comma • Frogs have long, sticky tongues. • Frogs have long and sticky tongues. Note: Adjectives are not coordinate - and should not be separated by commas – when the one nearer the noun is more closely related to the noun in meaning • Many students may choose to go to a nearby community college. • John’s son works various part -time jobs.

9. Test for comma with adjectives… • Identify the adjectives • She was a faithful sincere friend. • They are dedicated medical students. • Can the adjectives be reversed without changing meaning • She was a sincere faithful friend. Yes • They are medical dedicated students. No • Can the word and be sensibly inserted between the adjectives • She was a faithful and sincere friend. Yes • They are dedicated and medical students. No • If yes to both questions, adjectives are coordinate and should be separated by a comma • She was a faithful, sincere friend. • If no to both, the adjectives are not coordinate and should not be separated by a comma. • They are dedicated medical students.

10. In dates, addresses, place names, and long numbers • Any date, address, or place name that contains a comma should also end with a comma • July 4, 1776, is the date of our nation’s independence. • Sunday, December 7, 1941, is the date of Pearl Harbor. Note: Don’t use a comma between parts of a date that are inverted (7 December 1941) or dates consisting of month or season and year (December 1941)

11. Dates, addresses, place name, long numbers cont… • To separate parts of an address • Use the address 123 Bay Street, Sumner, Ohio 22345, for all letters. • Columbus, Ohio, is the location of Ohio State University. Note: Do not use a comma between a state name and a zip code. • To separate the digits in long numbers • The new car plant cost $125,000,000. • A mile is 5,280 feet (or5280 feet). Note: The comma may be omitted for numbers with four digits .

12. With quotations according to standard practice • The author states, “Writing is a process.” (comma before the quotes when quote follows) • “Writing is a process,” Scanlon wrote. (comma inside quotes when at beginning)

13. Note: Don’t use a comma when quote contains an ! or ? • “Run!” he exclaimed. Don’t use a comma if the quote is integrated into your sentence • Robert Frost advised “Don’t ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up.” Don’t use a comma with a quoted title unless it is nonessential • The Beatles recorded “Hey Jude” in 1968.

14. Other don’ts… • Between subject and verb • The soldier received his letter • In most compound structure • Banks and credit unions have helped older people withmoney management and investment. • After a conjunction • Lynda is a kind boss, yet her expectations are high. • Around essential elements • Hawthorne’s work The Scarlet Letter is a classic. • Around a series • The skills of prewriting, writing, and rewriting are essential. • Before an indirect quote • The author concluded that the problem has not been solved.

15. Works Cited • Aaron, Jane E. The Little, Brown Compact Handbook. New York: Longman, 2010. Print The End