Guide to commas

Guide to commas

• 1.
  Guide to Commas Andrew O’Leary
• 2.
  Use commas toseparate independent clauses when they are joined by any of the 7 conjunctions  But  For  Nor  So  Yet • Yesterday was her brother's birthday, so she took him out to dinner.
• 3.
  Use commas afterintroductory  Clauses  Phrases  Words that come before the main clause. • Because he kept barking insistently, we threw the ball for Smokey.
• 4.
  Do not usecommas to set off essential elements of the sentence  The person checking tickets at the counter asked for a form of identification.
• 5.
  Use commas tothree or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series  When the snow stops falling, we'll shovel the driveway.
• 6.
  Use commas toseparate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun.  Your cousin has an easy, happy smile.
• 7.
  Use commas nearthe end of the sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift  The chimpanzee seemed reflective, almost human.
• 8.
  Use commas toset off phrases at the end of a sentence that refers back to the beginning or middle of a sentence  Nancy waved enthusiastically at the docking ship, laughing joyously.
• 9.
  Geographic names anddates  Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England.  July 22, 1959, was a momentous day in his life.
• 10.
  Use commas toshift between the main discourse and a quotation  John said without emotion, "I'll see you tomorrow."  "I was able," she answered, "to complete the assignment."  In 1848, Marx wrote, "Workers of the world, unite!"
• 11.
  Use commas necessaryto prevent possible confusion  To George, Harrison had been a sort of idol.