Comma

Comma rules 1

100

Series Comma

• We brought pizzas, burgers, chocolate, and a chocolate cake on tour.
• He is a player, a singer, an actor, and a director.

200

Direct Address

• Hey, Joe, what are you doing?

300

Adding Nonessential Ideas and Nonrestrictive Clauses

• There’s a palace in London, just across the river, where I visited last week.

Comma rules 2

100

Names and Dates

• Jefferson City, Missouri, is one of the biggest cities in the world.
• He was born June 24, 1993, in London.

200

Tag Questions

• They’re ready to go, aren’t they?

300

Introductory Clauses, Phrases, and Expression

• If you take off your jacket, you’ll catch a cold. (If the subordinators are used at the beginning of the sentences, the comma marks the separation of the two clauses)
• When you came here, Alex was the general manager.
• Well, I cannot play in the next match.

Comma rules 3

100

Independent Clauses

(and, but, or, nor, or for). However, if the clauses are very short, no comma is needed.

• I wanted to watch a movie after dinner, but I could not tell her as I was confused about her reactions.
• We had dinner and then I watched a movie. (No comma is needed between these clauses)

300

Dialog

• I told him, “Don’t go there!”

Comma,n Mistakes

100

two verbs or verb phrases joined by a coordinator

Commas do not separate two verbs or verb phrases joined by a coordinator.

Incorrect: I cleaned, and painted the box.

Correct: I cleaned and painted the box.

200

two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses which are joined by a conjunction

Commas do not separate two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses which are joined by a conjunction.

Incorrect: My coach, and our board president both sent letters.

Correct: My coach and our board president both sent letters.

300

Subordinate clauses joined by a conjunction between them.

Subordinate clauses do not need commas when they are joined by a conjunction between them.

Incorrect: I’ll be late, if you don’t let me go now.

Correct: I’ll be late if you don’t let me go now. (If you don’t let me go now, I’ll be late.)