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Comma Rules. Joining Independent Clauses (579). A comma may be used between two independent clauses that are joined by coordinating conjunctions such as these: but, or, nor, for yet, and, so. I would have liked to speak to him , but I did not know what to say.
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Joining Independent Clauses (579) A comma may be used between two independent clauses that are joined by coordinating conjunctions such as these: but, or, nor, for yet, and, so. • I would have liked to speak to him,but I did not know what to say. • Our clothes had been left behind in the other block, and we had been promised other outfits. Note: Do not confuse a sentence with a compound verb for a compound sentence. • I had to burn her trash and then sweep up her porches and halls.
Separating a Series of Three (580) Commas are used to separate individual words, phrases, or clauses in a series. (Series = at least three) • I’d never known anything about having meat, vegetables, and a salad. • I took her for walks, read her stories, and made up games for her to play. Note: Do not use commas when the words in a series are connected with or, nor, or and. • Her fingernails are pointed and manicured and painted a shiny red.
Separating Coordinate Adjectives (581) Commas are used to separate coordinate adjectives. • I can still remember how my heart started beating when I walked into the dark, little room. • The brief day drew to a close in a long, slow twilight. Commas do not separate cumulative adjectives. • He threw down several large pieces on top of the snow. Check your understanding: We were prepared for a long, tedious, planning session.
Nonrestrictive Phrases and Clauses (586) Commas are used to enclose nonrestrictive phrases and clauses. • My hair, which was already prickling, began to rise upon my head. Commas are not used to enclose restrictive phrases and clauses. • The man who strikes first admits that his ideas have given out. Check your understanding: The kid who was playing across the street waved to me. The kid, who was playing across the street, waved to me.