Commas
Commas with Compound Sentences
• Use a comma before the conjunction to
separate two independent clauses in a
compound sentence.
Marco Polo was fascinated with China, and
he took home many souvenirs.
He told Italian friends about China, but
they did not believe his stories.
Commas with Compound Sentences
• Use a comma before a conjunction only when
there are complete thoughts on both sides of the
conjunction. Do NOT use a comma when there
is just a word, phrase, or subordinate clause on
either side of the conjunction.
Polo visited cities and farming areas.
The Chinese established systems for
delivering mail and for carrying goods.
Kublai Khan was a man who ruled strictly but
could also be kind.
Commas Between Items in a Series
• Use commas to separate three or more
words, phrases, or clauses in a series.
– Notice in the following examples that the number of
items in the series is one more than the number of
commas needed.
The beverages included fruit juice, ginger ale, and
jasmine tea.
Ceramic vases were placed on the table, on the
mantel, and on the windowsill.
We needed to know where we would catch the plane, when
it would leave, and how much baggage we were allowed.
Commas Between Items in a Series
• One exception to the rule for using
commas in a series occurs when each
item is separated from the others by a
conjunction.
My sister collects stamps and coins and pottery.
Commas Between Adjectives
• Use commas to separate adjectives of
equal rank.
• Two methods can be used to help decide whether two or
more adjectives are of equal rank.
1.If the word and can be placed between the
adjectives without changing the meaning of
the sentence, then the adjectives are of
equal rank.
2.If the order of the adjectives can be
changed, then they are equal.
Commas Between Adjectives
You have m ad e a sim ple, polite requ est.
Flavorful, spicy, nutritious soups are common
in Chinese cuisine.
Commas Between Adjectives
• Do NOT use commas to separate
adjectives that must stay in a specific
order.
I r e a d d e scr ip t io n s o f se v e r a l a n cie n t
t e m p le s in m y gu id e b o o k .
Some colorful birds perched on the temple roof.
Commas Between Adjectives
• A comma should NEVER be used to
separate the last adjective in a series from
the noun it modifies.
Incorrect: An efficient, helpful, interesting, guide
led our party.
Correct: An efficient, helpful, interesting guide
led our party.
Commas to Set Off Added Elements
• Use a comma after an introductory word,
phrase, or clause.
Introductory Words
• Well, I need a minute to decide.
• Tom, where are you?
• Plea se, p ut so m e c la m s in the c ho w d er.
Introductory Phrases
• In the vibrant city of Hong Kong, trade is
booming.
• Located on the coast of China, Hong Kong
is an important port.
• To visit Hong Kong, you need a passport.
Introductory Clauses
• If the British had not relented, they might
still rule Hong Kong.
• Where there is bustling trade, there you will
find a colorful night life as well.
When a prepositional phrase of
only two words begins a sentence,
a comma is not absolutely
necessary.
• At n i g h t w e h e a r d t h e cr i ck e t s.
• For hours we nervously remained
awake.
Commas with Parenthetical Expressions
• Use commas to set off parenthetical
expressions.
– Parenthetical expressions are sometimes
written at the beginning of a sentence as
introductory material. They may also be
written in the middle or at the end of a
sentence. A parenthetical expression in the
middle of a sentence needs a comma before
it and a comma after it to set it off. If it is
written at the end of the sentence, only one
comma is needed.
Commas with Parenthetical Expressions
• Watch, Frank, while I show you another
early Chinese invention.
• Stop w hisp ering , Pa m ela a nd Da n.
• You are, therefore, the person I would choose.
• Your a nsw er is inc orrec t, how ever.
• One Chinese invention, on the other hand,
helped sailors all over the world.
• They a re not g iven enoug h c red it, I
b elieve .
Commas with Nonessential Expressions
• Use commas to set off nonessential
expressions. Do not set off essential
material with commas.
Commas with Nonessential Expressions
• Appositives and Appositive Phrases:
• Essential: The Chinese thinker Confucius
taught the importance of tradition.
• Nonessential:
Confucius, a Chinese thinker,
taught the importance of
tradition.
Commas with Nonessential Expressions
• Participial Phrases:
• Essential: The man leading a European
expedition to China was Marco Polo.
• Nonessential:
Marco Polo, leading a European
expedition to China, arrived
there in 1275.
Marco Polo arrived in 1275,
leading a European expedition.
Commas with Nonessential Expressions
• Adjective Clauses:
• Essential: The invaders who swept into China in
the 1200’s ruled with an iron hand.
• Nonessential :
The Mongols, who swept into
China in the 1200’s, ruled with
an iron hand.
The country was ruled by the
Mongols, who swept into China
in the 1200’s.
Commas with Dates
• When a date is made up of two or more
parts, use a comma after each item except
in the case of a month followed by a day.
– On July 12, 1979, Aunt Mai arrived in this
country with just a few possessions.
– Tuesday, March 18, was carefully circled on his
calendar.
• When a date contains only a month and a
year, commas are unnecessary.
– I will graduate in June 2016.
Commas with Geographical Names
• When a geographical name is made up of
two or more parts, use a comma after
each item.
– They lived in Marietta, Georgia, for several years
and then moved to Sarasota, Florida.
– My friend Pedro was born in El Salto, Durango,
Mexico.
Commas in Addresses
• Use a comma after each item in an
address that is made up of two or more
parts.
• She is corresponding with her friend Arlene
Blackwell, 32 Birdsong Avenue, Falmouth,
Massachusetts 02540.
• When an address is written in 3 lines on
an envelope, most of the commas are not
necessary
• Arlene Blackwell
32 Birdsong Avenue
Falmouth, MA 02540
Commas in Letters
• Use a comma after the salutation in a
personal letter and after the closing in all
letters.
– Salutations: Dear Kaori,
– Closings:
With affection,
My dear Ann,
Sincerely,
Commas with Numbers
• With numbers of more than three digits
add a comma before every third digit,
counting from the right.
2,532 bricks
a population of 1,860,421
82,471,908 grains of sand
• No commas should be used with ZIP
codes, telephone numbers, page
numbers, or serial numbers.
Commas with Quotations
• Use commas to set off a direct quotation
from the rest of a sentence.
Gordon murmured with a yawn, “This is a
dull movie.”
“I thought, “ Lydia said, “that you liked mar tial
ar ts movies.”
“It’s the third time I’ve seen this one,” Gordon
replied.