O – 1
THE COMMA
1. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to separate two complete thoughts (independent
clauses). The comma is placed before the coordinating conjunction. The coordinating conjunctions are:
and
but
or
nor
for
so
yet
EXAMPLES:
I went to the store, and I bought the ingredients to bake a cake.
Last night it rained, but the roof didn’t leak.
Our cousins want to have a weekend party, or they may decide to go on a cruise.
Jazelle can’t seem to save money, nor can she plan a budget.
Sebastian is going to quit college, for he has agreed to play professional soccer.
It has taken four hours to complete the assignment, so the class will take a break right now.
Bradley is in preschool, yet it seems like yesterday that he was learning to walk.
2. Use a comma to separate items in a list (series).
Maryann woke up, made breakfast, got dressed, and went to work.
3. Use a comma to set off long groups of words at the beginning of a sentence.
Without money to buy a saddle, the stranger had to ride bareback.
4. Use a comma to set off a dependent word group at the beginning of a sentence (but not at the
end).
Because it was raining, Michael couldn’t go to the show.
Michael couldn’t go to the show because it was raining.
5. Use a comma for parenthetical expressions (words that may be placed in parentheses).
My husband, I know, is devoted to his family.
6. Use a comma to separate a descriptive dependent word groups that is not needed to identify
the person or thing described
Margarite, who enjoys folk dancing, lives in Los Angeles.
(You don’t need the words who lives in Los Angeles to identify Margarite.)
7. Don’t use a comma if the descriptive word group is needed to identify the person or thing.
The young people who enjoy folk dancing meet twice a week to practice.
8. Use a comma to set off the name of the person you are speaking to. (direct address)
Jenny, where are you? I can’t find you, Jenny.
9. Use a comma to separate phrases and clauses that might be confused.
As she turned the car got out of control.
As she turned, the car got out of control.
10. Use a comma in titles.
Marcus Welby, M.D.
11. Use a comma with quotation marks.
“I want to see the doctor,” he said.
12. Use a comma in addresses.
41 Marigold Lane, Toledo, Ohio
13. Use a comma in dates. (when it includes months, day, and year )
November 24, 1977
Place commas where they are needed, and, in the space provided, write the number of the rule to which it applies.
_____ 1. Since my cake was cooled I started to frost it.
_____ 2. Debbie come pick up your clothes.
_____ 3. By the way I like your dress.
_____ 4. We played basketball baseball football and soccer.
_____ 5. I would like to go to Vermont but I can’t afford it.
_____ 6.With all the money from his paycheck Bobby treated his friends to lunch.
_____ 7. Margaret Johnson the woman from accounting got married.
_____ 8. My brother received an honorable discharge from the army on May 14 1970.
____ 9. The girl who was Kenny’s girlfriend decided to move to Oregon.
____ 10. I moved to 1400 S.W. 109 Street Miami Florida.
____ 11. My friend goes to Jack Martinez M.D.
____12. “Be there by noon” he ordered.
____ 13. Wherever I eat my dog begs for food.
____ 14. The Gay Rights movement in my opinion has created significant social change.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentences.
1. A string broke in the middle of his selection but the violinist continued to play.
2. As we left the school auditorium the band played “Marching to Praetoria.”
3. The children of course did not refuse the cake and ice cream.
4. Skyscrapers railroads bridges and automobiles require large amounts of steel.
5. The car was found in front of a store at 2400 Jackson Avenue Tulsa Oklahoma.
6. If you have forgotten Herb’s birthday is next Tuesday.
7. Uncle Ben my mother’s brother from Virginia breeds and trains racehorses.
8. You’ll be fine old boy in just a few more days.
9. We couldn’t go out to the farm because it was raining.
10. When you hear the thunder you may be safe from that lightning bolt.