Comma Uses

Here’s the idea

•Commas make writing clearer by separating words, ideas, and other elements in sentences.

Commas in a Series

• In a series of three or more items, use a comma after every item except the last one.

The items in a series may be words, phrases or clauses.Rocks, snags and shoals can be hazardous to boats.

The boat hit a rock, took on water and sank into the sea.

We do no know when the boat sank, where it was headed or who was aboard.

• No commas are needed if the items in a series are joined by “and,” “or,” or “nor.”

The sea was dark and deep and menacing.

• Use a comma after the introductory words first, second and so on when they introduce items in a series.

You’ll pass three landmarks on the way to the island: first, the lighthouse; second, Star Point; and third, Lil’s Landing.

•Use commas between two or more adjectives that modify the same noun.

A thick, damp fog blanketed the coastline.

Here’s How: Adding Commas Between AdjectivesThe captain issued orders in a low tense voice.

1. First, switch the order of the adjectives and insert the word “and” between themThe captain issued orders in a tense and low voice.

2. Add a comma if the meaning of the sentence has not changed, AND the word “and” sounds natural between the adjectives.The captain issued orders in a low, tense voice.

• In general, don’t use commas after numbers and adjectives of size, shape and age.

five small boats a big yellow moon

a round nylon cushion the old stone lighthouse

Commas with Introductory Elements

• Use a comma after an introductory word or a mild interjection at the beginning of a sentence.

No, our crew was unable to call for help.

Eventually, a ship spotted us.

Hey, what’s that in the water over there?

• Use a comma after an introductory prepositional phrase that contains one or more additional prepositional phrases.

In the spring of 1930, marine science took a giant step forward.

For the first time in history, a scientist explored the ocean’s depths.

A single prepositional phrase at the beginning of a sentence may be set off by a comma if it is followed by a natural pause when it is read out loud. Don’t use a comma if the sentence is very short or if you would not pause: At first they didn’t know what they would find.

• Use a comma after a verbal phrase at the beginning of a sentence.To make the half-mile dive, scientists and engineers designed a deep-sea vehicle.

• Use a comma after an introductory adverb or an adverb clause at the beginning of a sentence.

Fortunately, the vehicle worked well.When scientist William Beebe made the first dive, he was amazed by what he saw.

Watch Out tip:

•Do not use a comma after a phrase or a clause that is the subject of a sentence.

To survive at such depths is difficult.

What he saw amazed him.

Commas with Interrupters

• Use commas to set off a parenthetical expression.A parenthetical expression provides explanatory or supplementary information that is closely related to the sentence.

Beebe did, of course, keep a journal.

He took notes, I believe, on several previously unknown species.

Common parenthetical expressions

After all Furthermore I suppose nevertheless

By the way However In fact Of course

For example I believe Moreover Therefore

• Use commas to set off words of direct address.Words of direct address are names, titles, terms of respect and phrases used to address an individual directly.

“Thank you, Captain Lowry, for a job well done.

“It was nothing, sir.”

Commas with Nonessential Material

• Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and nonessential participial phrases. Both these sentence parts add information to a sentence, but the information is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

Advanced Lifesaving, which is an excellent course, prepares students to be lifeguards. (Nonessential Clause)

Mrs. Lewis, worried about her daughter’s safety, paced nervously on the shore. (Nonessential participial phrase)

• Use commas to set off nonessential appositives. A nonessential appositive is a word or a phrase that adds information about a noun or pronoun.

• Scientist transformed the H.M.S. Challenger, a British warship, into a floating laboratory.

An essential appositive is not set off with commas.Rachel Carson’s book The Sea Around Us helped raise publicawareness of ocean pollution.

Practice and Apply

1. On a warm day in 1620 King James I of England witnessed an amazing test.

2. Cornelis Drebbel a Dutch scientist demonstrated an underwater boat for the king.

3. Drebbel had in fact invented the first successful submarine.4. To waterproof the wooden vessel Drebbel covered it with greased

leather.5. Because few sources of energy were available Drebbel relied on

manpower to propel the vessel.

•Stop

More Comma Uses

Commas with Quotations

• Use commas to set off the explanatory words (such as he said or she asked) of a direct quotation

• Commas, like periods, always go inside closing quotation marks.

Mrs. Lewis called, “ a boat has capsized!”

Mrs. Lewis pointed out at the ocean. “The boat tipped over, “ she explained, “about 100 yards due east of here.”

Commas in Compound Sentences

• Use a comma before the coordinating conjunction that joins the two independent clauses of a compound sentence.

Ida Lewis jumped into her rowboat, and she headed due east.• Use a comma before the conjunctions yet and for when they join

independent clauses.Lewis feared the worst, yet she hoped for the best.

She was worried about the victims, for the water was cold.

• Do not use a comma to separate the verb phrases of a compound predicate.

Lewis jumped into her rowboat and quickly headed due east.

compound predicate

Watch Out! •Make sure you use a comma and a conjunction between

independent clauses. Using a comma without a conjunction will result in a run-on sentence.

It was the middle of winter, the water was extremely cold. (run-on sentence)

It was the middle of winter, and the water was extremely cold. (correct)

Commas in Dates, Place Names, and Letters• In dates, use a comma to separate the day of the month from the

year.April 15, 2003 November 1, 1960

• Don’t use a comma when only the month and the year are given.April 1965

• When a date is part of a sentence, use a comma after the year.On October 1, 1975, a ship was lost at sea.

•Use a comma to separate the name of a city or town and the name of its state, province or country.

Dallas, Texas Houston, Texas

When an address is part of a sentence, use a comma after each item; however, o not put a comma between the name of a state and the Zip code.

Please forward my mail to 4795 Seaside Drive, Manisota, Florida 36006.

•Use a comma after the salutation of a friendly letter and after the closing of a friendly or business letter.

• Hello Aunt Lucy, Dearest Charlie, Sincerely,

• Love, Yours truly,

Commas with Names and Numbers• Use a comma between a personal name and an

abbreviation that follows it, such as Jr., Sr., or M.D. Also use a comma between a business name and an abbreviation, such an Inc.• Lara Johnson, M.D. Paradise Cruises, Inc.

• When names and abbreviations are part of a sentence, set off the abbreviations with commas.

Paradise Cruises, In., has hired Lara Johnson, M.D., as its medical director.

Commas to Avoid Confusion• Use a comma to separate words or phrases that might be

misunderstood when they are read.

• Here are four ways commas can clear up confusion in your sentences.

1. Use a comma before the conjunction “but” or “for” when it may be mistaken for a preposition.

Confusing: The victims were grateful for the young woman had saved their lives.

Clear: The victims were grateful, for the young woman had saved their lives

2. Use a comma after an introductory adverb that could be mistaken for a preposition.

Confusing: Inside the boat was in good condition

Clear: Inside, the boat was in good condition

3. Use a comma to separate a short introductory verbal phrase from the noun that follows it.

Confusing: While rocking the boat almost capsized

Clear: While rocking, the boat almost capsized.

4. Use a comma to separate repeated words

Confusing: What an “old salt” is is an experienced sailor.

Clear: What an “old salt” is, is an experienced.

•Use a comma to indicate the words left out of parallel word groups, or word groups that repeat the same structure.

The captain was old; the crew, young.David ordered lobster, and Connie, softshell crabs.

Practice and Apply1. It was a lazy day in September 1859. Off Lime Rock Rhode Island the breeze

was light; the sea calm.2. Captain Hosea Lewis leapt out of his rocking chair for he saw an alarming

sight.3. “Have a look out there” he called to his daughter. He added “Those boys

bobbing in the water can’t swim.”4. Ida Lewis scanned the sea with her eyes and located the problem.5. Nearby four boys were clinging to their capsized sailboat.

•Stop

Semicolons and Colons•Here’s the idea: • a semicolon separates different elements within a

sentence• a colon indicated that an example or explanation

follows

Semicolons

• Use semicolons to separate items in a series if any of the items contain commas.

• The divers gathered at dawn; put on their tanks, masks, gloves and wet suits; and jumped off the pier into the ocean.

• Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by a conjunction if either clause contains commas.

The deep sea once appeared to be cold, murky and lifeless; but scientist have discovered strange fish living in this region.

• Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses of a compound sentence if no coordinating conjunction is used (this indicates a stronger relationship). Don’t use a semicolon, unless they are closely related.

The storm struck with savage fury, but our house was not damaged at all. (not a strong relationship)The storm struck with savage fury; it demolished most of the coastal town.

Use a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb or a parenthetical expression that joins the clauses of a compound sentence. Use a comma after the adverb.

• Conjunctive adverb: The weather was stormy; therefore, we postponed our sailing trip.

• Parenthetical expression: Storms pose great risks for sailors; in fact, they can be deadly.

Colons• Use a colon to introduce a list of items.

On a short sailing trip, you should bring these items: a lifejacket, a pair of

sunglasses, a tube of sunscreen and water.

Do not use a colon in the following situations: after a verb, in the middle of a prepositional phrase or after the word “because” or “as.”

Incorrect: The three longest rivers in the world are: the Nile, the Amazon and the Yangtze.

Correct: These are the three longest rivers in the world: the Nile, the Amazon and the Yangtze.

Incorrect: I have swum in: the Atlantic Ocean the Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Correct: I have swum in the following bodies of water: the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Incorrect: The ship was in danger because: a terrible storm was approaching.

Correct: The ship was in danger because a terrible storm was approaching.

• Use a colon between two independent clauses when the second clause explains or summarizes the first.

The captain was right: we should have waited out the storm.

• Use a colon to introduce a formal or long quotation.Winston Churchill inspired the people of England with there words: “ We shall fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire.”

Hot Tip!• After a colon, capitalize the first word of a formal statement. If the

statement is informal, it should begin with a lowercase letter.

Other uses of Colons• After the formal salutation of a business letter

Dear Madam:

• After labels that signal important datesBeware: These waters contain sharks.

• Between the hour and minute figure of clock time12:15 PM

• Between chapter and verse when referring to certain religious worksPsalm 23:7