Grammar-Quizzes › More › Writing Aids › Punctuation › Comma Uses
Comma Uses
Clarify meaning by separating words and phrases
| COMMA |
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| 1. SEPARATING WORDS IN A SERIES – MORE THAN TWO |
A shepherd tends, feeds, and guards his flock of sheep. See Comma–series and punctuation before and. |
| 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) |
| 3. SEPARATING 2 CLAUSES W/ COORDINATING CONJ. |
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. |
| 4. SEPARATING SAME OR SIMILAR SENTENCE ELEMENTS |
Inside, the village is busy and noisy . Outside, the village is calm and peaceful. We are interested in, on site learning programs. What he was, was not what everyone else thought he was. Taking an art course is something I am looking forward to, too. |
| NO COMMA |
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| COORDINATED ELEMENTS (2) |
A shepherd tends and guards his flock of sheep. (two elements) |
| WRITTEN-OUT NUMBERS |
This shepherd has watched over two thousand sheep in his lifetime. Nineteen eighty seven was the year that he was born. Write out numbers at the beginning of a sentence. May twenty-first was the year he was born. |
| ENDING A CLAUSE WITH A PERIOD |
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. |
| REWORDING TO AVOID MISREADING |
The central part of the village is busy and noisy with activity. We are interested in on-site learning programs. hyphen Taking an art course is something I am also looking forward to. |
Grouping or separating information can also be done with nonessential (Adj) – something that is additional and not necessary for understanding the meaning expressed by the rest of the clause.
See Comma–series, Extra Comments, Coordinating Conjunctions and Pop-Q "What he was was"
Commas
Introductory Words
Introductory Words, Phrases and Clauses
| COMMA |
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| 5. AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY SUBORDINATE CLAUSES |
Because sheep need protection, a shepherd guards them. While he is watching them, the shepherd listens to his iPod. When he sees his sheep stray, he commands his dogs to gather them. |
| 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 -ing and After / Before –ing |
| 7. AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY MODIFYING ADVERB |
Fortunately, there are still farming and agricultural jobs Crete. Regretfully, young men often leave to pursue a career. See Adv for Manner. |
| 8. AFTER INTRODUCTORY WORDS FOR ORDERING |
First of all, they try to find work nearby. — first, secondly, then, next, thirdly, finally, lastly, in conclusion— |
| 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. |
| 10. AFTER INTRODUCTORY WORDS W/ EMPHASIS |
Occasionally, young men leave the island to pursue a career. (ADVP) To pursue a career, young men occasionally leave the island. (INF) During the winter, young men often leave to find work. (PP) |
| 11. AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT BEFORE A QUOTE |
He said, "I wouldn't trade my job for any other job." See quoted speech and reported speech. |
| 12. AFTER INTRODUCTORY INTERJECTIONS, OR YES & NO |
Hey, where are you going? No, I don't know. / Yes, I can tell you. Oh, I see what you mean. |
| NO COMMA |
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| STANDARD WORD ORDER |
A shepherd guards a flock of sheep because they need protection. The shepherd listens to his iPod while he is watching them. He commands his dogs to gather the sheep when they stray. |
| TIME-RELATIVE CLAUSE |
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. |
| IT-CLAUSE |
It is fortunate that there are still farming and agricultural jobs Crete. It is regretful that young men often leave the island. See It-Clause |
| SEQUENCE WORDS / NUMBERED LISTS |
See Linking Adverbs, in-text lists or numbered lists.
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| OTHER EXAMPLE WORDS |
Yogurt makers prefer to use milk from animals such as goats and sheep. |
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. |
He said that he wouldn't trade his job for any other job. (Change to reported speech.) |
Hey! / Excuse me. Where are you going? Negative! I don't know the answer. Oh! I see what you mean. |
Categories: NP – noun phrase; N – noun; VP – verb phrase; V – verb; Det – determiner; PP – prepositional phrase; P – preposition; AdvP – adverb phrase; Adv – adverb; AdjP– adjective phrase; Adj – adjective; Subord – Subordinator; Coord – Coordinator; Interj – Interjection;
Nonfinite Clauses: Inf –Infinitival; Ger –gerund-participial; PPart –past participial
Commas
Extra Comments
Setting off comments within a sentence
| USE COMMAS |
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| 13. BEFORE AND AFTER A NONRESTRICTIVE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE |
A shepherd, who spends his days in the fields, must be able to control his sheep. The comment is true about all shepherds. See Some or All. |
| 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. |
| 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. See For example and Comma Comments. |
| 16. BEFORE AND AFTER WORDS THAT GIVE GENERAL EXAMPLES |
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. |
| 17. BEFORE AND AFTER AN APPOSITIVE (ANOTHER NAME FOR IT) |
Giorgo Petrakis, Jr. , was trained by his grandfather. optional commas Giorgo had lived on Crete, a Greek island, all his life. Mr. Petrakis, Mayor of Othos, encourages youth. The International Olympic Committee, IOC, will meet… See appositives "another name for it". |
| USE NO COMMAS |
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| WHEN SEPARATED AS AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE |
A shepherd must be able to control the flock. Shepherds spend their days in the fields.
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| WHEN SEPARATED AS AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE |
A shepherd must be able to control the flock. This can be rather difficult. Refer back to a noun with It / This. |
| WHEN SEPARATED WITH OTHER PUNCTUATION |
A shepherd spends his days outside. (A shepherd has a great job!) A herding dog (such as a shepherd or Collie) can assist with the job. A herding dog — such as a shepherd or Collie — can assist with the job. See Parentheses, Dashes and Comments |
| WHEN INCLUDED AS IDENTIFYING INFORMATION– SUCH AS / LIKE |
Yogurt makers prefer to use milk from animals such as goats and sheep. See such as or like/ as.
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| WHEN INCLUDED / REWORDED AS MODIFIERS |
The younger Giorgo Petrakis was trained by his grandfather. Giorgo has lived on the Greek island of Crete all his life. Orthos' Mayor Petrakis encourages youth. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will meet… See Parentheses |
NP –noun phrase; N – noun; VP – verb phrase; V – verb; Det – determiner; PP – prepositional phrase; P – preposition; AdvP – adverb phrase; Adv – adverb; AdjP– adjective phrase; Adj
a nonessential (extra) modifier— A shepherd [who spends his days in the field] must be able to control his sheep. The main clause still makes sense when the clause is removed: A shepherd must be able to control his sheep..
an essential (needed) modifier— A shepherd who fails to control his sheep may lose his them. The main clause does not make sense if the clause is removed:* A shepherd may lose them.
Common Mistakes
Comma Splice
Error and Solution
| ERROR |
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Using a comma to join to independent clauses (without a conjunction or subordinating conjunction) is called a comma splice. |
He bought the rice, I bought the beans.
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She cried, cuz I din't call her when I said I would.
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We got into our car , then we drove to the mountains and went hiking. comma splice |
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 |
| SOLUTION |
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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. (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. 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 ) See Connector Review) |
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. |
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 predicate 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.) |
Style Manual Abbreviations: AP (Associated Press), APA (American Psychological Association), CMOS (Chicago Manual of Style), GREGG (Gregg Reference Manual); MLA (Modern Language Association)
Resources
- The Chicago Manual of Style. 16th ed., U of Chicago P, 2010.
- MLA Handbookfor Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed., Modern Language Association of America, 2009.
- The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law. Edited by Thomas Kent, et al., 51st ed., AP, 2016.
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 6th ed., American Psychological Association, 2009.
- "MLA Formatting and Style Guide." Purdue OWL, Edited by Tony Russel et al., Purdue U, 15 Aug. 2016, owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01.
- The Gregg Reference Manual. Edited by William A. Sabin, 11th ed., McGraw-Hill Education, 2011.
- Swan, Michael. Practical English Usage. 3rd ed., Oxford UP, 2005.
Style Manual Abbreviations (used in this website)
- AP (Associated Press), APA (American Psychological Association), CMOS (Chicago Manual of Style), GREGG (Gregg Reference Manual), MLA (MLA Handbook)
Practice 1
Eating Local
Read for Errors
Eating local means more for the local economy, because money stays in the community with local business. Local food just tastes better, for example, a tomato has a more intense flavor. Locally grown fruit, which travels a shorter distance, has more time to ripen. Transporting food shorter distances we create less air pollution, traffic and damage to the food. By eating in-season food, we are eating foods when they are ripe, abundant and inexpensive.
Brian Howell Professor at UCZ points out that local crops bring more dollars to the local economy. 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. Supporting local food providers supports responsible land development. A local farmer said "I'm happy to meet the people who will eat my apples."
"Are you ready to accept the Eat Locally Challenge ?"
"Yes I am!"
abundant – in great quantity
crop (N) – a plant such as wheat, rice, or fruit that is grown by farmers and used as food
development (N) – the planning and use of something to make it better or grow larger
economy (N) – the system by which a country's money and goods are produced and used
encourage (V) – give someone the courage or confidence to do something
in season (prep. phrase) – the time of year in a particular region that fruit or vegetables normally grow
local (Adj) – nearby
shelf life (expression) – the time that something can remain on a supermarket shelf and still be good enough to eat
transport (V) – carry to market in trucks, planes and ships
variety (N) – types, kinds
Is the sentence punctuated with commas correctly?
- Read the sentence and decide whether the comma use is correct or incorrect.
- Compare your response to the answer and feedback to the right.
Practice 2
The Food Pyramid
Read the Context
The old food pyramid which was used to promote healthful eating was replaced Thursday by a simple plate symbol. The plate is divided into four sections representing fruits vegetables whole grains and lean protein-- with a small side of dairy. The new plate is designed to show Americans at a glance the types of foods they should be eating and in what proportions. "It's an opportunity for Americans to understand quickly how to have a balanced and nutritious meal" said Tom Vilsack Secretary of Agriculture.
"It's a constant reminder as you look at your own plate whether your portion sizes are right whether you've got enough fruits and vegetables on that plate." Vilsack launched the new icon at a news conference with first lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Regina Benjamin Surgeon General. The My Plate campaign will encourage Americans to fill up half their diet with fruits and vegetables avoid sugary drinks and back away from oversized portions. The circa-1992 food pyramid came under harsh criticism for focusing too heavily on carbohydrates which made up its base and on dairy products.
balanced (Adj) – including different things in the right amounts
carbohydrates (N) – foods such as sugar, bread, potatoes, which provide the body with energy.
circa (adv.) – around, about (used for dates)
criticism (N) – statements about what is bad about something; critical analysis
dairy (N) – foods such as milk, eggs, butter, cheese, cream
glance (N) – a quick look
grains (N) – rice, wheat, corn, barley, rye, etc. (edible seeds of the grass family)
harsh (Adj) – strong, severe
icon (N) – symbol that represents a program
launch (V) – begin a new project, something big or important
portion (N) – an amount of food for one person (part of a larger amount)
Is the sentence punctuated correctly?
- Write your corrections for the sentence in the edit box.
- Then compare your response to the answer with the "check" button