Comma Usage

1. Comma Usage

2. The Comma • Commas provide valuable information to readers about the subject they are learning about. • The difference between a well and poorly placed comma can extremely alter the context of a sentence. • For example: • “Let’s eat, Spot!” • “Let’s eat Spot!”

3. Listing Items in a Series • When listing various items or ideas in writing, a comma is needed to separate each component: • Buy ham, eggs, bread, and cheese when you go to the store. • The comma separating the last two items is called an Oxford Comma and isn’t always necessary. However, excluding can change the meaning of a sentence if it is required. • Buy lettuce, ham, macaroni, and cheese at the store. • Buy lettuce, ham, macaroni and cheese at the store.

4. Conjunctions and Independent Clauses • When connecting two independent clauses, use a comma and conjunction to glue them together. • The house was a bright orange, and it hurt to look at. • An independent clause is a portion of a sentence that could stand alone as its own sentence

5. Conjunctions and Independent Clauses • When connecting two independent clauses, use a comma and conjunction to glue them together. • I went to the mall, but it was extremely packed. • Juan really liked the gift his mom got him, yet he couldn’t help being a little disappointed.

6. Independent Clauses and Dependent Clauses • A subordinate or dependent clause cannot stand by itself. • When connecting these two different types of clauses, simply add a comma. • Although Ramon was a beginner, he was becoming a skilled painter.

7. Introductory Clauses (Dependent Clauses and Conjunctive Adverbs) • When a sentence is introduced by an idea, use a comma to separate from the rest of the sentence. • When this is can’t stand by itself, it is called an introductory clause. • Because he was a jerk, Chad pulled his friend’s pants down in front of everyone. • Conjunctive adverbs, such as conversely, besides, and however also serve the same purpose. • However, nobody noticed.

8. Extra or Unnecessary Information • Commas are used to separate interjections or information that is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence: • After losing his drawers, Hanes to be precise, Matt gave Chad a swift slap to the face. • Chad’s family in Hartford, Connecticut, were very disappointed in his behavior.

9. Coordinate Adjectives • Use a comma to separate adjectives that describe the same noun. • Chad’s mother disapproved of her son’s rude, inappropriate behavior. • His father responded with a stern,shaming lecture about Chad’s indiscretions.