Why are commas important?
Commas can help make the meaning of sentences
clearer. In general, commas help separate or set
apart elements in a sentence.
Too many commas can clutter the sentence and
may confuse readers.
Problem: Unnecessary commas
My friend, Jessica, said she would
feed my cat, and my dog while I’m
away, but now, she tells me, she will
be too busy.
Why are commas important?
Missing commas may also confuse readers.
Problem: Missing commas
The friends I have invited are Ruth Ann Jerry Lee
Derrick Martha and Julie.
Without commas, it is unclear how many friends
are invited.
Is this Ruth
or Ruth Ann?
Is this Jerry
or Jerry Lee?
Why are commas important?
Commas make the meaning of this sentence clear
by separating the names in the list.
The friends I have invited are Ruth Ann, Jerry
Lee, Derrick, Martha, and Julie.
Ruth Ann
, Jerry Lee
,
Derrick
,
Martha
,
Julie
[End of Section]
Independent clauses
An independent clause expresses a complete
thought and can stand by itself as a sentence.
An independent clause has a subject and a verb
and expresses a complete thought.
subject
verb
Hector pressed
subject
The engine
the button.
verb
started.
Independent clauses
Use a comma before and, but, for, nor, or, so, or
yet when it joins independent clauses.
Hector pressed the button, and the engine
started.
She would never argue, nor would she complain
to anyone.
Are you going to the football game, or do you
have other plans for Saturday?
Independent clauses
Do not be fooled by compound
verbs, which can make a sentence
look like a compound sentence.
You do not need to use a comma
between the parts of a compound
verb.
Mara cleared the table and did the
dishes.
If both parts of the sentence cannot
stand alone, do not use a comma:
Mara cleared the table. The second part
cannot stand
Did the dishes.
alone, so do not
use a comma.
Independent clauses
Identify whether the following items are
missing commas (M) or are correct as is (C). For items
missing commas, add the comma where needed.
1. She liked the story but she did not like the
ending.
2. High school graduates may go on to college
or may begin working immediately.
3. A few rowdy spectators tried to grab the star
so the bodyguards formed a ring around
him.
Independent clauses
Identify whether the following items are
missing commas (M) or are correct as is (C). For items
missing commas, add the comma where needed.
1. She liked the story,but she did not like the
ending.
M
Independent clauses
Identify whether the following items are
missing commas (M) or are correct as is (C). For items
missing commas, add the comma where needed.
2. High school graduates may go on to college
or may begin working immediately.
C
Independent clauses
Identify whether the following items are
missing commas (M) or are correct as is (C). For items
missing commas, add the comma where needed.
3. A few rowdy spectators tried to grab the star,
so the bodyguards formed a ring around
him.
M
Independent clauses
Answers
Add commas where needed in the following
sentences.
1. It is important to know first aid for an accident can
happen at almost any time.
2. More than eighty thousand people in the United
States die in accidents each year and many
millions are injured.
3. Emergency exits were clearly marked so people
were able to evacuate quickly when the alarm
sounded.
[End of Section]
Independent clauses
On Your Own
Add commas where needed in the following
sentences.
1. It is important to know first aid,for an accident can
happen at almost any time.
2. More than eighty thousand people in the United
States die in accidents each year, and many
millions are injured.
3. Emergency exits were clearly marked,so people
were able to evacuate quickly when the alarm
sounded.