Commas for Beginners

From the TEL Library: Grammar

2 | Grammar

InquireConfused About Com m as?

Overview

Other than the period, the comma is the most frequently used punctuation mark in English. The comma is also the most complicated of English's punctuation marks when it comes to placement. In this lesson, we'll look at some rules for comma placement.

Big Quest ionWhat are commas and where should they be placed?

Figure 1.1: A woman writes in her notebook

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Wat chLet 's Pause For a Mom ent t o Consider Why Com m as Mat t er

Like the period, the comma was an invention for written texts to tell readers when to pause or how ideas and other items were to be grouped and separated.

The modern comma was invented by a printer and publisher named Aldus Manutius. He was looking for the right symbol to indicate a pause in speech in a text, and had been experimenting with the slash. He finally lowered it in relation to the line of text and gave it a slight curve. The result was the comma, from the Greek word koptein, which means ?to cut off.?

While the comma is the most frequently used punctuation mark in English, other than the period, many people are unsure when to use it. The primary purpose of the comma is to insert a pause in the text. It tells us to separate the previous word or phrase. Look at this advertisement for a room that someone is looking to rent. [$900 Pretty Safe Furnished Room] The ad would be much clearer with the addition of commas after ?Pretty? and ?Safe.? Here?s another example of how adding a comma can avoid confusion. This was taken from an actual road sign. [?Slow children crossing?] We assume that the sign was meant to tell motorists that they should drive slowly and watch for all children who might be crossing the road, although it could as easily be telling motorists that slow-moving children will be crossing the road.

Scan the QR code below to watch the video online. The following text is an edited transcript from the video.

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Sometimes, adding one comma too many can give people the wrong idea. Here is the description of a goat cheese salad.

[Goat cheese salad ingredients: lettuce, tomato, goat, cheese]

The accidental inclusion of an extra comma has suddenly made the menu a lot less vegetarian-friendly.

We also use commas to separate items in a list, as well as independent clauses when a conjunction is used, as in the compound sentence: ?Alice went to the grocery store, and she bought juice, walnuts, and cream cheese.?

Commas have many other uses as well. For example, we use them stylistically to set apart phrases that are removed from the rest of a sentence.

[Sheila, reconsider ing her opt ions, did not want to go to the movie.]

We also use commas to set off introductory phrases like this one.

[Reading over her not es, Julie realized she missed an important detail.]

In its uses, however, the purpose of the comma remains constant. It serves to introduce a pause in a sentence or to separate items and phrases.

ReadCom m on Uses of t he Com m as

Next to the period, the comma is the most frequently used punctuation mark in English. Its use is complex, as there are so many situations in which a comma can be deployed.

What follows is a list of common uses of the comma in English. As you read through and study the list, keep in mind the original purpose for the comma ? to create a pause in the reading and to separate items.

1. We use commas to separate all items in a series (three or more).

I found two saws, an axe, and a hammer in the garage.

In formal writing, it is always best to include a comma between each item in the series, including the last two. This last comma is an example of the Oxford or ser ial com m a, which occurs after the next-to-last item in a list of three or more Figure 1.2: An urban building with a comma painting

Oxford com m a:

a comma placed immediately before the coordinating conjunction in a series of three or more terms

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items and before the words "and" or "or."

They were so shy, so subtle, and so swift of foot that it was difficult to come at them.

It would make the reader pity me to tell what odd, misshapen, ugly things I made.

They groaned, they stirred, they all uprose.

Commas may be used even when conjunctions are expressed, if the members of the series consist of several words, or if the writer wishes to emphasize their distinctness. Also, note that clauses in a series are commonly separated by semicolons unless they are short and simple.

2. We also use commas to set off introductory elements.

Backing out of the driveway, I noticed a package on our front porch.

By the way, did you see Mary?

3. Use a comma to set off parent het ical st at em ent s when the parenthetical statement is brief or closely related to the rest of the sentence.

I exercised a piece of hypocrisy for which, I hope, you will hold me excused.

If the parenthetical statement is longer, and more independent, it is generally marked by dashes or enclosed in marks of parenthesis.

The connection of the mail with the state and the executive government? a connection obvious, yet not strictly defined? gave to the whole mail establishment an official grandeur.

4. Commas are also used to separate coordinat e adject ives. The general rule of thumb here is this: if you can put an and or a but between the adjectives, a comma probably belongs there.

That tall, distinguished, good-looking fellow lives in the house on the corner.                 

He drives a very old, unreliable car.

Figure 1.3: An old, rusted car sits in a lot

Parent het ical st at em ent :

a phrase that explains or qualifies something

Coordinat e adject ive:

adjectives that appear in sequence with one another to modify the same noun

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5. Use a comma before a direct quotation in a sentence.

The cry ran through the ranks, ?Are we never to move forward?? Closing with an exhortation, he said, ?Remember, this is the best chance some of you have at redemption.?

When a direct quotation comes in the middle of a sentence, two commas are used.

"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many things."

As a final note, be careful not to use commas to set off quoted elements introduced by the word that.

Marshall McLuhan writes to Ezra Pound that ?There is a real, living unity in our time, as in any other, but it lies submerged under a superficial hubbub of sensation.?

6. We use commas to set off phrases that express contract, or to set off words and phrases out of their regular order.

It was her money, not her charm or personality, that first attracted him.

Seated on her accustomed chair, with her usual air of apathy and want of interest in what surrounded her, she seemed now and then mechanically to resume the motion of twirling her spindle.

To most people, this will seem absurd.

7. Use commas after a noun or phrase of direct address.

John, tell me the truth.

Little boy, what is your name?

8. Use commas to set off the words however, nevertheless, and moreover, and introductory phrases like in the first place, on the one hand, etc.

Ref lectAnybody Need an Oxford Com m a?

PollRead the following sentence and vote whether it would be less confusing with the addition of an Oxford comma.

John found himself in the cabin with his ex-girlfriend, an herbalist and a pet minister.

(Hint: It depends on how many people are in the cabin.)

ExpandMore Com m a Fun! Now that you understand the basics of comma usage, here are some additional rules to consider.

1. Use the comma after each word of a series of words that all have the same grammatical relation to the rest of the sentence, unless conjunctions are used between all those words.

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Ours is a red, white, and blue flag.

He talked, smoked, and read.

He talked and smoked and read.

However, do not precede a series of words with a comma.

Wrong: He lectures on, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Right: He lectures on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

2. Use the comma to separate two adjectives modifying the same noun, but not if one modifies both the other adjective and the noun.

An honest, upright man.

A soiled red dress.

3. Use the comma to set off an apposit ive expression , or a geographical name that limits a preceding name.

He was told to see Dr. Morton, the principal of the school.

Muncy, Pennsylvania is not spelled the same as Muncie, Indiana.

4. Use the comma to separate the members of a compound sentence when those members are short and closely connected in their thought.

John carried the suit-case, I the hat box, and William the umbrella.

5. Use the comma to separate dependent and conditional clauses introduced by such words as if, when, and though, unless the connection be close.

He did not stop, though I called repeatedly.

Your solution is right in method, even if you have made a mistake in the work.

But, you are wrong when you say that.

6. Use the comma when for any reason there is any distinct pause in the sentence that is not otherwise indicated by punctuation, or whenever something clearly is omitted.

We want students, not boys who simply come to school.

Cæsar had his Brutus; Charles the First, his Cromwell; ...

7. You should put a comma before but only when but is connecting two independent clauses.

I would go for a walk, but it is really hot outside.

One final note: Don't forget to put one space between a comma and the next letter that follows the comma.

Apposit ive expression:

noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it

Independent clause:

one that can function on its own as a complete sentence

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ExploreConfusion for t he Lack of a Com m aDo an Internet search and find an example in which a legal case hinged on the lack of an Oxford comma.

After reviewing such an example, now look at several news articles from different online newspapers. Journalists do not generally use the Oxford comma. Can you find an example where it might have been less confusing to include one?

DiscussReceiving and Giving Feedback on Com m as in Form al Wr it ingPost to the discussion forum a paragraph from a paper you are working on. Next, in 75-100 words, comment on the paragraphs of two of your classmates. Are their commas placed correctly or do they have issues that need correction?

Check Your Know ledgeSelf -Check QuizIdentify whether the comma or commas are placed correctly in the following sentences.

Yes or No: William said, "Good morning."

Yes or No: We want students not boys, who simply come to school.

Yes or No: Two women Susan and Tamika, were injured.

Yes or No: To most people, this will seem absurd.

Yes or No: Such a man, however can seldom be found.

Yes or No: She can sing well but, she seldom will sing in public.

Yes or No: Ours is a red, white, and blue flag.

Yes or No: John carried the suit-case, I the hat box and, William the umbrella.

Yes or No: He was told to see Dr. Morton, the principal of the school.

Yes or No: He did not stop though, I called repeatedly.

Yes or No: By the way did, you see Mary?

(1) Y; (2) N; (3) N; (4) Y; (5) N; (6) N; (7) Y; (8) N; (9) Y; (10) N; (11) N

GlossaryOxford com m a ? In English language punctuation, an Oxford or serial comma is a comma placed immediately before the coordinating conjunction (?and?) in a series of three or more

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terms.

parent het ical st at em ent ? a phrase that explains or qualifies something. It is generally not essential to the framing of a sentence.

coordinat e adject ive ? adjectives that appear in sequence with one another to modify the same noun.

apposit ive expression ? noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it.

independent clause ? An independent clause is one that can function on its own as a complete sentence. Example: Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.

Key TakeawaysOther than the period, the comma is the most frequently used punctuation mark in English.

The primary purpose of the comma is to insert a pause in the text. It tells us to separate the previous word or phrase.

Our main uses of commas are to insert a pause between thoughts, separate items in a list, and set off introductory and parenthetical elements in a sentence.

Lesson ToolboxResource 1 Title: Rules for Comma Usages -- Resource 1 URL: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm

Resource 1 Description: A set of tips on using commas from the Guide to Grammar and Writing, sponsored by the Capital Community College Foundation.

Resource 2 Title: Five Uses of a Comma

Resource 2 URL: http://www.whitesmoke.com/uses-of-commas

Resource 2 Description: A guide to using commas from White smoke Inc., a provider of writing tools for English.

Resource 3 Title: Rules for Comma Usage

Resource 3 URL: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/comma/

Resource 3 Description: A quick guide to using commas from Grammarly, the online grammar-checking site.

Resource 4 Title: Commas

Resource 4 URL:http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp Resource 4 Description: More review and practice with commas from GrammarBook.com

Lit eracies and Com pet enciesInform at ion and Media Lit eracy: Knowing how to locate, evaluate, and effectively use needed information, and to analyze and produce content in a variety of media forms through a variety of delivery channels

Cr it ical Think ing Com pet ency: Ability to identify, analyze and evaluate situations, ideas and information to formulate responses and solutions

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Com m unicat ion: Ability to listen to, understand, convey and contextualize information through verbal, nonverbal, visual and written means.

At t r ibut ionsFigure 1.1: "Writing Writer Notes Pen Notebook" is licensed under CC by 1.0. https://pixabay.com/en/writing-writer-notes-pen-notebook-923882/

Figure 1.2: "Northern Quarter #4" by DaveBleasdale is licensed under CC by 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/sidelong/6859136709/

Figure 1.3: "Holden" by Jason Goulding is licensed under CC by 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/14373548@N03/5678790021/

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