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use a commaComma Uses

Setting off elements in a sentence

 

 

Separating Elements
COMMA NO COMMA

use a commaCommas are used to make sentences easier to read by adding breaks(separation) or by grouping information (setting off).   A pause or break is usually marked by a single comma and grouping (setting off) is usually marked by a pair of commas (when in the middle of a sentence).
 

no commaThe same sentence can usually be restated without a comma:

1.  SEPARATING WORDS IN A SERIES – MORE THAN TWO ELEMENTS

A shepherd tends, feeds, and guards his flock of sheep.  

See Comma–series  and punctuation before and   

 

 

A shepherd tends and guards his flock of sheep.   (two elements)

2.   SEPARATING NUMBERS, DATES, ASDRESSES

This shepherd has watched over 2,000 sheep in his lifetime. 
He was born on May 21, 1987.
130 First Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90012  (but not telephone numbers)

 

 

This shepherd has watched over two thousand sheep in his lifetime.
He was born on May of 1987. Use a prepositional phrase

3.  SEPARATING TWO INDEPENDENT CLAUSE WITH A COORDINATING CONJUNCTION

A shepherd tends sheep, and he moves them from one pasture to another.
A shepherd tends sheep, but his dogs keep the sheep together.
A shepherd tends sheep, so they will be safe from predators.

Also see FANBOYS.      

 

 

A shepherd tends sheep.  And he moves them from one pasture to another.
A shepherd tends sheep. However, his dogs keep them together.
A shepherd tends sheep. As a result, they are safe from predators.

4.  SEPARATING SENTENCE PARTS TO AVOID MISREADING THEM

Inside, the village is busy and noisy .  Outside, the village is calm and peaceful.
We are interested in, on demand learning programs.
Taking an art course is something I am looking forward to, too.

 

 

The central part of the village is busy and noisy with activity.
We are interested in on-demand learning programs. hyphen
Taking an art course is something I am also looking forward to.  

 

 

 

A shepherdCommas

Introductory Words

 

 

 

Introductory Words, Phrases and Clauses
COMMA NO COMMA

use a commaA single comma is used after an introductory word, phrase or clause to separate it from the main clause. The comma usually marks a change from the normal word order.
 

no commaThe same sentence can usually be restated without a comma:

5.  AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY SUBORDINATE CLAUSES

Because the sheep needs protection, the shepherd guards them. because
While he is watching them, the shepherd listens to his iPod. while
When he sees his sheep stray away, he orders his dogs to gather them. when

  

 

The shepherd guards the flock of sheep because they need protection.
The shepherd listens to his iPod while he is watching them.
He orders his dogs to gather the sheep when his sheep stray away.

6.  AFTER A SHORTENED ADVERBIAL CLAUSE

Moving the sheep, Giorgo uses dogs to keep them together.  (when)
Moving the sheep, Giorgo always has a fresh grass for them to eat. (because) 

See Because Clauses and While walking

   

 

Giorgo uses dogs to keep the sheep together when he moves the them.
Giorgo always has a fresh grass for them to eat because he moves the sheep.

 

7.  AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY MODIFYING ADVERB (modifies the sentence)

Fortunately, there are still farming and agricultural jobs Crete. 
Regretfully, young men often leave the island to pursue a career.

See Adv Manner Placement.   

 

 

It is fortunate that there are still farming and agricultural jobs Crete.
It is regretful that young men often leave the island to pursue a career.
  

8. AFTER INTRODUCTORY WORDS FOR ORDERING

First of all, they try to find work nearby.

— first, secondly, then, next, thirdly, finally, lastly, in conclusion—

 

 

Use a an in-text list or a numbered list.

 

9. AFTER INTRODUCTORY WORDS FOR EXAMPLE

For example, sheep and goats provide wool, milk and meat.

See For example— for instance, that is (to say), in other words, more precisely. 

 

 

Yogurt makers prefer to use milk from animals such as goats and sheep.

 

10. AFTER INTRODUCTORY WORDS WHICH HAVE BEEN MOVED FOR EMPHASIS

Occasionally, young men leave the island to pursue a career. (adv freq)
To pursue a career, young men occasionally leave the island. (infin phrase)
During the winter, young men often leave the island to find work. (prep phrase)
At the end of spring, young men often return home to the island. (prep phrase)

 

 

Young men occasionally leave the island to pursue a career.
Young men occasionally leave the island to pursue a career.
Young men often leave the island to find work during the winter.
Young men often return home to the island at the end of spring  

 

11.  AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY STATMENT FROM QUOTED SPEECH

He said, "I wouldn't trade my job for any other job."

See quoted speech and reported speech.

 

 

He said that he wouldn't trade his job for any other job.  (Change to reported speech.)

12.  AFTER INTRODUCTORY INTERJECTIONS, ATTENTION-GETTERS, OR YES & NO

Hey, where are you going?
No, I don't know the answer. 
Yes, I can tell you.
Oh, I see what you mean.

  

 

Hey! / Excuse me.  Where are you going?
Negative! I don't know the answer.
Oh!  I see what you mean.

 

 

 

 

sheepCommas

Aside Comments

 

 

 

Setting off comments within a sentence
COMMA NO COMMA

use a commasAn aside comment is information added to a sentence that is related but not essential ("nice to know").  Commas are used to set off the information within the sentence.  The sentence is still logical if the information is removed.
 

no commaThe same sentence can usually be restated without a comma:

13.  BEFORE AND AFTER A NONRESTRICTIVE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

A  shepherd, who spends his day outside, must be able to control his sheep.
A  shepherd—must be able to control his sheep.
The clause is set off with commas because it is extra, nonessential information, and it does not serve to identify which shepherd we are talking about.

Also see Some or All.   

 

 

A  shepherd must be able to control the flock. The shepherd spends his day outside.
 
Optionally enclose a comment that diverges from the central idea of the main sentence. See parentheses.  

 

14.  BEFORE A CLAUSE THAT MODIFIES AN ENTIRE SENTENCE

A  shepherd must be able to control the flock, which can be rather difficult.

Also see Which-clause.   

      

 

A  shepherd must be able to control the flock. This can be rather difficult.
  

15.  BEFORE AND AFTER ASIDE COMMENTS

A shepherd, who by the way has a great job, spends his days outside.
A herding dog, such as a shepherd or Collie, can assist with the job.  
A shepherd, for example, can spend the day moving around rather than sitting in an office chair.

 Also see For example and Comments. 

 

 

A shepherd spends his days outside. (A shepherd has a great job!) (informal)
A herding dog (such as a shepherd or Collie) can assist with the job. (informal)
A herding dog — such as a shepherd or Collie — can assist with the job. (informal)
See dashes. 

 

16. BEFORE AND AFTER WORDS THAT GIVE EXAMPLE

Animals, such as sheep and goats, provide wool, milk and meat.
Sheep and goats provide us with , for example, wool, milk and meat.

 Also see For example — for instance, that is, in other words, more precisely, that is.

 

 

Yogurt makers prefer to use milk from animals such as goats and sheep. See such as. 

 

17.  BEFORE AND AFTER AN APPOSITIVE – ANOTHER NAME FOR THE NOUN

Giorgo Petrakis, Jr. , was trained by his grandfather.   optional commas
Giorgo lives on Crete, a Greek island, all his life.
Mr. Petrakis, Mayor of Othos, encourages youth to learn traditional ways. 

See appositives –degrees, titles, dates, places addresses, and numbers —

 

 

Giorgo was trained to be a shepherd by his grandfather. infinitive phrase
Giorgo lives on the Greek island of Crete.  prep. phrase
Mayor Petrakis of Othos encourages youth to learn traditional ways.  prep. phrase

 

 

Commas Splice
COMMA SPLICE FIX

Using a comma to join to independent clauses (without a conjunction or subordinating conjunction) is called a comma splice.  

Avoid making a comma splice by separating the two independent clauses (1) with a comma and a connector, (2) with a semicolon, (3) with a period.

He bought the rice, I bought the beans.

 

He bought the rice. I bought the beans. (Separate the independent clause with a period.)
He bought the rice; I bought the beans. (Separate the independent clause with a semicolon.)
He bought the rice, and I bought the beans. (Separate the independent clause with a conjunction.)
 

She cried, cuz I din't call her when I said I would.

 

She cried. I didn't call her when I said I would. (period)
She cried; I didn't call her when I said I would. (semicolon)
 She cried because I didn't call her when I said I would. (connector–Connector Review)
 

We got into our car , then we drove to the mountains and went hiking. comma splice

We got into our car, and then we drove to the mountains and went hiking.
After we got into our car, we drove to the mountains and went hiking.

First, we got into our car.  Then, we drove to the mountains and went hiking.

 

This friend of mine that's a crazy  guy buys a new car, that's really awesome and he asks me to come for a ride with him but I tell him no way. comma splice and run-on sentence

A friend of mine, who is a crazy  guy, buys a new car that's really awesome. He asks me to come for a ride with him, but I tell him, "No way!" 
—This friend is informal unless specifying this from that.
—Use commas to set off a nonidentifying clause: who is a crazy guy  (use who)
 —Begin a new sentence for the next clause: He asks me to come for a ride with him
—Separate the last independent clause with a comma.  That is, it has its own subject and verb and can stand alone as a sentence: ,but I tell him…
—Add a comma before the quoted speech:  I tell him,
—Enclose the speech in quotes: "No way!" (Place the exclamation mark inside the quotes. No additional period is necessary at the end of the sentence.)   

 

 

 

 

Resources
  1. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed. New York: Modern Language Association of America. 2009. Print. (3.2.2)
  2. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 6th ed. Washington, D.C:  American Psychological Association, 2010. Print. (4.03)
  3. Sabin, William A., The Gregg Reference Manual:A manual of Style, Grammar, Usage, and Formatting. 11th ed. New York: McGraw–Hill, 2011. Print. (122-75)
  4. University of Chicago Press. The Chicago Manual of Style. 15th edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003. Print.  (6.18)

 

 

 

 

Locally grown beetsPractice 1

Identify

 

 

Is the sentence punctuated with commas correctly?
  1. Read the sentence and decide whether the comma use is correct or incorrect.
  2. Compare your response to the answer and feedback to the right.

 

# YOUR RESPONSE FEEDBACK
1. Eating local means more for the local economy, because money stays in the community with local business.

 
2. Local food just tastes better, for example, a tomato has a more intense flavor.
3. Locally grown fruit, which travels a shorter distance, has more time to ripen.


4. Transporting food shorter distances we create less air pollution, traffic and damage to the food.
5. By eating in-season food, we are eating foods when they are ripe, abundant and inexpensive.  abundant – in great quantity


6. Brian Howell Professor at UCZ points out that local crops bring more dollars to the local economy


7. Buying local food encourages more variety. For example, farmers can try out new varieties that may have shorter shelf lives such as Little Gem Lettuce, Senshu Apples, and Chieftain Potatoes.
8. Supporting local food providers supports responsible land development.


9. A local farmer said "I'm happy to meet the people who will eat my apples."
quoted speech | said words
10. "Are you ready to accept the Eat Locally Challenge ?" 
"Yes I am."


 

 

 

 

 

 

Old pyramid and new MyPlatePractice 2

Edit

 

 

 

Is the sentence punctuated correctly?
  1. Write your corrections for the sentence in the edit box.
  2. Then compare your response to the answer with the "check" button.

 

# YOUR RESPONSE CHECK YOUR ANSWER
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