Comma rule 1 series: a comma is used to separate ... - Quia



Comma rule 1 series: a comma is used to separate items in a series.

Items can be a series of words, a series of phrases, or even a series of clauses (S-V units).

Example: Your school supplies should include a notebook, pencils, pens and erasers. (four words—nouns—are separated by commas. A comma before and is optional, and is not usually used unless leaving it out might cause confusion.)

Example: For dinner we had roast beef, potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables, and strawberry shortcake. ( The phrases—word groups—are considered items.)

Example: Please separate yourselves into three groups: those who are riding the bus, those who are driving private cars, and those who are staying home. (The items are

clauses, not complete sentences, commas could also separate a series of independent clauses that could stand as separate sentences.)

A series is a group of three or more items that could be linked by and.

Example: The puppies were barking, (and) playing, (and) wagging their tails. (And could be placed between the three verbs, so it’s appropriate to use commas there instead.)

Example: Sally and Marsha are baking pies and making jelly for the craft fair. (The compound subject and verb include only two items—NOT a series)

Example: For her birthday, Mrs. Johnson received twelve ( ) long-stemmed ( ) red roses. (And does NOT fit into the blanks; therefore, these modifiers are NOT considered a series and require NO commas)

Practice quiz:

Comma rule 2: Compound sentences: a comma is used before a coordinating conjunction (and or so nor for) to separate the parts of a compound sentence. If there is no conjunction, a comma is incorrect. Use a semicolon instead.

Practice quiz:

Comma rule 3 introductory elements: a comma is used after an introductory word, phrase, or clause.

Example: Finally, the judges reached a decision about the champion dog. (introductory word)

Example: Instead of a cupcake, I’d like a piece of apple pie. (introductory prepositional phrase)

Example: Stepping carefully in the tracks made by her father, Samantha made her way through the snow to the barn. (introductory participial phrase)

Example: Because you had the most points, you will receive the prize. (introductory subordinate clause)

Note: This rule applies only to words, phrases and clauses which do not normally come before the main subject and verb of a sentence—elements out of the normal English word order. The rule does not apply to phrases and clauses that follow normal word order.

Example: The picnic will be called off if it rains. (the clause if it rains comes after the main subject-verb and therefore is not set off by a comma.)

Example: Jogging in the early morning is an exercise regimen favored by many people. (the clause jogging in the early morning is the subject of the sentence, not an introductory element, so no comma.)

Practice quiz:

Comma rule 4 parenthetical elements: Commas are used to “bookend” words, phrases, and clauses which interrupt a sentence and are not essential to its sense.

Example: There are, of course, many ways to apologize.

Example: You understand, Bertie, that you will never be king as long as I am alive. (Bertie is set off by commas because it’s direct address: the speaker is talking to Bertie. As long as I am alive is not preceded by a comma because it expresses a condition integral to the meaning of the sentence—without it the sentence’s meaning would be changed.

Example: Red Riding Hood, her cape flying in the wind, set off down the path to Granny’s house. (the phrase set off by commas is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.)

Example: Mr. Jansen, a former Navy SEAL, was the speaker at the assembly last Monday. (The information set off by commas is an appositive: another term for Mr. Jansen. Appositives are set off by commas)

Example: Ernest Hemingway, who lived the last years of his life in Idaho, is a famous American novelist. (the clause set off by commas is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.)

Example: Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing child should call police immediately. (This who clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence.)

Example: The main speaker at our school assembly last Tuesday was Mr. Jansen, a former Navy SEAL.. (There is no comma after the appositive because it ends the sentence.)

Note: You set off nonessential information with a pair of commas, a pair of dashes, or a set of parentheses. It’s incorrect to mix them and have, for example—one comma and one dash like I just did.

Practice quiz:

Comma rule 5: incorrect usages: Do not use a comma in the following situations:

1. Between subject and verb:

• Wrong: The reason Carey moved, was to find a new job in California.

• Right: Running a mile, lifting weights, and biking (no comma) are all ways to get yourself in shape.

2. Between a verb and its complement or object:

• Wrong: Serena seems, healthy and content.

• Right: I know that you are my friend.

3. Between an adjective and a noun:

• Wrong: Genevieve is an eight-year-old, bundle of energy

• Right: His mother gave him the money for the new mahogany desk.

4. After a coordinating conjunction:

• Wrong: I want you to take this money, go to the store, and, buy some milk.

• Right: Playing the guitar, collecting stamps, and singing are Sandra’s hobbies.

5. Before an indirect quotation:

• Wrong: He said that, Aaron Copeland was his favorite composer.

• Right: She asked why we had not called sooner.

6. To set off elements that are essential to a sentences’s meaning:

• Wrong: Only somebody, with a crazy sense of humor, could think of such a prank.

• Right: An award will be given to the Girl Scout who has sold the most cookies.

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