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Using Commas
Use Commas in Lists
Use commas to separate three or more
elements in a series.
A comma is optional (but recommended) before “and”
Business Administration involves courses in
communication, computer applications,
accounting, and business principles.
Between Adjectives
Use commas between coordinate
adjectives
(if the comma could be replaced by “and”)
A warm, wet puddle appeared by the dog.
A warm and wet puddle appeared by the dog.
Use Commas to Interrupt
To set off the names of people being
addressed
We look forward to your visit, Miss Piggy.
To restate names or titles (appositives)
Arnold Ziffle, Manager of cows Processing,
comes in every Monday.
To interject comments
We will , of course, keep your resume on file.
It is a profitable thing , if one is wise, to seem
foolish. Aeschylus
Joining Independent
Clauses
Use commas to join independent clauses with a
coordinating conjunction: and, or, but, nor, so
,
Show me a man with both feet firmly on the ground
and I will see a man who can't get his pants off!
It's a small world but I wouldn't want to have to paint
it.
,
Introductory Material
When he looked over my resume, he shook
his head sadly. (introductory clause)
As a matter of fact , I do own the road.
(introductory phrase)
Okay, I’ll buy it. (interjection)
Dependent Clauses
When a dependent clause begins the
sentence, a comma is needed.
,
Because he needed money Hal robbed a gas
station.
A comma is not needed when a dependent
clause ends the sentence.
Hal robbed a gas station because he was too lazy
to work.
Commas Clarify Meaning
Notice how punctuation changes the
,
, sentences
meaning in these
A woman without her man is nothing.
A woman without her man is nothing.
,
:
,
,
Do Not Use Commas
To separate a subject from a verb
Employers all over the worldØ are looking for
people with computer skills. (no commas)
My supervisor noticed thatØ money was missing.
(no commas)
When joining short independent clauses
You are uglyØ and your mother dresses you funny.
Do Not Use Commas
When joining restrictive clauses
You should wear shoes at work that are
comfortable for walking.
(The underlined clause is essential to the meaning)
However
Non-restrictive clauses do require commas
I recommend that you buy work shoes that are both
comfortable and stylish but these can be hard to
find.
,
(The underlined clause is not essential to the meaning)