Lakewood High School
English Department
Comma Essentials
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Lakewood High School English Department
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Read each slide and Click Next and Prev to move between pages. Any text highlighted in blue has help information you can see by moving your mouse over it. You can stop at any time. You can retake this module as often as you like. |
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For returning students who need a refresher or students referencing the Rule Codes for Writing Mechanics, you can skip directly to a rule. C1 Commas After Introductory Word Groups C2 Commas with Lists of Words, Phrases, and Clauses C3 Commas: Multiple Adjectives Before a Noun C4 Commas in Compound Sentences C5 Commas with Interrupters C6 Commas with Nonrestrictive Phrases and Clauses C7 Commas with Dialog C8 Commas to Avoid Misunderstanding C9 Other Common Uses of the Comma C10 Avoid Common Misuses of the Comma Click here to download rule codes. |
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After taking this tutorial, you will be able to do the following:
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Place a comma after an introductory adverb at the beginning of a sentence, such as unfortunately, therefore, however, consequently, meanwhile, and frequently. Examples: Unfortunately, I was too sick to go to work last week. Consequently, I did not get paid the usual amount.
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Place a comma after an introductory phrase at the beginning of a sentence: During the process, In the meantime, While waiting for the bus, Searching for the right answer. Examples: During the process, he became confused and could not finish the project. In the meantime, his partner found another answer. While waiting for the bus, I saw her drive by.
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Do not use commas when the phrase or clause ends the sentence.
Examples: Chop the vegetables while you wait for the water to boil. She always washes her face before she puts on her makeup. I cannot go to the concert with you because I have to work. Note: There are no punctuation before the word because.
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When listing three or more items in a sentence, place a comma after each item. Example: At the grocery store, he bought eggs, milk, and bread. Note: the comma placed after the last item and before the conjunction and is often omitted. It is becoming more common in the U.S. to include the comma here.
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Do not use a comma when listing only two items joined with a conjunction such as and. Examples: The child was tired and hungry. Her favorite activities were playing the piano and making cookies. The dog was excited but remained loyal. He listened and learned quickly how to play the song
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Place a comma between adjectives. Examples: He found a rusty, dull nail. He found a dull, rusty, broken nail. It was a gloomy, dark night. It was a long, dark, gloomy night.
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Do not place a comma between adjectives before a noun when the description makes sense with only one word order. Examples: The man raced his brand new truck. (not new brand truck) She brushed her long black hair. (not her black long hair)
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There are seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, yet, so, and for. Place a comma before the coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence. Example: Tell me why I should believe her, for she has lied far too often in the past. Return to Quick Links |
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Do not place a comma before a coordinating conjunction for compound nouns or predicates. Example: I neither read the book nor watched the movie. Note: No comma before the conjunction nor because it connects two verb phrases (i.e., predicates).
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Two independent sentences (independent because they form a complete thought) can be combined into a compound sentence Examples: I wanted to buy those shoes. I didn't have enough money. becomes... I wanted to buy those shoes, but I didn't have enough money.
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Place a comma around words and phrases that tend to interrupt the flow of the sentence. Examples: He was not, however, as unlucky as he claimed. A dog, not a wolf, terrorized the neighborhood. I know, Mother, that it is time for me to do my homework.
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A restrictive phrase or clause is necessary for the sentence to make a specific sense. The meaning would change without the phrase or clause. No commas are used with restrictive phrases and clauses. Examples: The girl with the blue hair was the one who screamed. (We wouldn't know which girl if she was not distinguished by her hair color.) Daft Punk's song "Technologic" is a perfect example of a trochaic foot.
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A nonrestrictive clause may clarify the point but the sentence does not change meaning without it. Commas are used to set off nonrestrictive phrases or clauses much like an interrupter. Examples: Arthur Miller's play about Salem witches, The Crucible, was inspired by the McCarthy era accusations. Daft Punk's song "Technologic" is a perfect example of a trochaic foot, which is opposite the stressed syllables used in iambic meters.
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Commas are used with dialogue to separate the he said and she asked expressions from the direct dialogue. Examples: "I am surprised you don't have to help," said Ron. "Why don't you bother someone else?" Warren asked. "I'm busy."
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Sometimes a comma is necessary to avoid confusion. Examples: Clearly avoiding traffic is impossible. Clearly, avoiding traffic is impossible. √ Clearly avoiding traffic, he was able to get to school on time. Note: Consider how differently clearly is used in each of these sentences.
In Colorado ski resorts are highly popular. √ In Colorado, ski resorts are highly popular. Note: Without the comma, readers will read through Colorado ski resorts. Return to Quick Links |
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Other cases where the comma is used include the following:
Examples:
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Commas are often mistakenly overused. The following slides will show common errors and provide examples. a. Do not automatically use a comma before the word because. x The child screamed, because she thought she saw a monster. √ The child screamed because she thought she saw a monster.
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b. Do not place a comma between the subject and the predicate (verb phrase) of a sentence. x Another example of a comma error, is to place a comma between the subject and the verb in a sentence. √ Another example of a comma error is to place a comma between the subject and the verb in a sentence.
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Do not automatically use a comma with the conjunctions and, but, or, nor, so, for, yet. Commas should not be placed between the compound subjects, compound predicates (verb phrases), or compound objects. Do not place commas before the first or last item in a series. Examples: x The torn clothes, and clashing colors highlighted the new trend in fashion. (Compound subject) √ The torn clothes and clashing colors highlighted the new trend in fashion. x The dog learned how to shake hands, and to sit and beg. (Compound predicate) √ The dog learned how to shake hands and to sit and beg.
Note: This rule may be somewhat confusing because commas are necessary before the coordinating conjunction when used to form a compound sentence. See Rule C4. |
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A comma is placed before, not after, the conjunctions such as but and yet. x She thought she did everything correctly but, she received a bad grade. √ She thought she did everything correctly, but she received a bad grade anyway.
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Commas should not be placed before or after items in a series. x He wanted to learn how to, throw, catch, and kick, his new football. √ He wanted to learn how to throw, catch, and kick his new football.
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Do not place a comma (nor a colon) after the phrase such as. x Do not place commas before conjunctions such as, but and and. √ Do not place commas before conjunctions such as but and and.
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Do not automatically use a comma with an indirect quote. x The teacher said that, I should not overuse commas. √ The teacher said that I should not overuse commas.
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You have completed the tutorial on Essential Comma Rules.
To take the module again click here.
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