Comma rules simplified!

[Tiger]

Here are six simple comma rules!

 

1. A comma is to be used before a coordinating conjunction (ones like and, but, and for) but only when separating two independent clauses. Note: Independent clauses are those that are complete sentences by themselves.

 

Zach means well, but he has foot-in-mouth disease.

 

2. A comma must be used after an introductory word, phrase, or clause.

 

Word: Obviously, you are mistaken.

Phrase: At the party, I drank too many shots of Jack Daniels.

Clause: Since I drank too much, I stayed in bed most of the day.

 

3. Use commas around words, phrases, or clauses that are not essential (in other words, add little or nothing to the meaning of the sentence).

 

Word: By incandescent, then, I mean that light bulbs emit light when they are heated.

Phrase: This is not, in my opinion, the time for this discussion.

Clause: France, which is in western Europe, is one of the wealthiest nations in the world.

 

4. 4. Use commas for a series of 3+ words or groups of words.

 

Words: Corey bought flowers, candy, and wine for his and Eric's anniversary.

Word Groups: The dark potion contains one gallon of unicorn blood, five pig heads, and the heart of a virgin.

 

5. Use commas for afterthoughts and contrasting elements.

 

Afterthought: Time never stops, not even for you.

Contrasting Element: His poems are long, not short.

 

6. Use commas for geographical names, items in dates, and professional titles.

 

geographical names: She is from Chicago, Illinois.

items in dates: Tyler was born on November 1, 2005.

professional titles: Rupert Anderson, DO, is the best osteopath in the city.

Edited January 15, 2012 by Tiger
DO, not DOO. Sorry about that!

[CassieQ]

Thanks for this. Comma rules always seem so complicated to me, this should help!