End Comma Abuse!

…please…

No! Please! I’m just one comma…

First:

List all the reasons you would use a comma.

Rule 1

Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.

Ex: We bought marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate bars for our camping trip.

Rule 2

Use commas to separate two or more coordinate (interchangeable) adjectives that describe the same noun. Be sure never to add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself.

Ex: She often wore a gray wool shawl. (can’t say “wool gray shawl”: no commas)

Ex: Your cousin has an easy, happy smile. (can say “happy, easy smile”: commas)

Rule 3

Use a comma to shift between the main narrative and a quotation.

Ex: John said without emotion, "I'll

see you tomorrow.“ Ex: "I was able," she answered, "to

complete the assignment."

Rule 4

Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names.

Examples of Rule 4

Geography: Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England.

Date: July 22, 1959, was a momentous day in his life.

Address: Please send all correspondence to 1 Maple Terrace, Danvers, MA, 01908.

Title: Khaled Hosseini, MD, will read from his new novel.

Rule 5

Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.

Ex: Yesterday was her brother's birthday, so she took him out to dinner.

Rule 6

Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

Generally, they interrupt the sentence to give new information or a side thought.

Examples of Rule 6

Clause: That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only day when I am available to meet.

Phrase: This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food, on the other hand, is rather bland.

Word: I appreciate your hard work. In this case, however, you seem to have over-exerted yourself.

Rule 7

Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.

Rule 7a

Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, instead of, since, when, while.

Ex: While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door.

Ex: Sometimes when all has gone wrong and there is nothing left for us, we run away from our problems.

Rule 7b

Common introductory phrases should be followed by a comma, including long prepositional phrases (over four words).

Ex: Having finished the test, he left the room.

Rule 7c

Common introductory words that should be followed by a comma include also, yes, however, well.

Ex: However, you may not be satisfied with the results.

Rule 8

Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning with that (relative clauses).

Ex: The book that I borrowed from you is excellent.

Ex: She said that she will earn an A.

Rule 9

Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift.

Ex: The speaker seemed innocent, even gullible.

Rule 10

Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer back to the beginning or middle of the sentence. (If the placement of the modifier causes confusion, then it is not "free" and must remain "bound" to the word it modifies.)

Ex: Lisa waved at Nancy, laughing joyously. (incorrect: Who is laughing, Lisa or Nancy?)

Ex: Nancy waved enthusiastically at the docking ship, laughing joyously. (correct)

Rule 11

Use commas wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading.

Ex: For Jennifer, Lopez was a fantastic second-baseman.

Comma Abuse!

Don't use a comma to separate the subject from the verb.

Ex: An eighteen-year old in California, is now considered an adult. (incorrect)

Ex: Victor’s arrogance and sense of becoming a god-like figure, eventually led him to his demise.

Comma Abuse!

Don't put a comma between the two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate.

Ex: We laid out our music and snacks, and began to study. (incorrect)

Comma Abuse!

Don't put a comma between the two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses in a compound subject or compound object.

Ex: The music teacher from your high school, and the football coach from mine are married. (incorrect)

Ex: Jeff told me that the job was still available, and that the manager wanted to interview me. (incorrect)

Comma Abuse!

Don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast).

Ex: She was late for class, because her alarm clock was broken. (incorrect)

Ex: She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar. (correct: extreme contrast)

Comma Abuse!

Don’t avoid commas altogether.

Ex: When the creature saved the girl from drowning instead of being grateful her companion shot him. (incorrect)

Ex: Even though the creature seems to be innocent based on his statements he really should take responsibility for his actions. (incorrect)

Evil Comma Splice!

Don’t use a comma by itself between two independent clauses. You need a semi-colon.

Ex: Oedipus wanted to know the meaning of the prophecy, as a result, tragedy struck his family. (incorrect)

Bottom Line:

Know the rules. Don’t just put commas where you

think there might be a pause.