Commas

Commas

The explanations and exercises that follow will introduce you to the most common comma rules and help you develop an intuitive sense of how commas affect sentence rhythm and meaning. Not all comma rules are set in stone; writers can include or omit a comma if necessary to achieve a desired rhythm or avoid confusion. However, as with all stylistic choices, it is important to know the rules before knowing how and why to bend them.

 

 

FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So (coordinating conjunctions)

 

When two independent sentences (clauses) are joined by a FANBOYS conjunction, a comma should be placed before the conjunction.

 

Incorrect: Some toy dolls promote unrealistic body images among young girls yet toy companies continue to market these products without restraint.

 

The conjunction here is “yet.” Look at what comes before “yet.” Is “Some toy dolls promote unrealistic body images among young girls” a complete sentence? Yes. Now look at what comes after “yet.” Is “Toy companies continue to market these products without restraint” a complete sentence? Yes. Two independent sentences are joined by a FANBOYS conjunction; therefore, place a comma before “yet.”

 

Correct: Some toy dolls promote unrealistic body images among young girls, yet toy companies continue to market these products without restraint.

 

Here are a few more examples:

 

Incorrect: Yesterday was my birthday but we are celebrating it this weekend.

 

Correct: Yesterday was my birthday, but we are celebrating it this weekend.

 

Incorrect: The resort offers tennis and golf for adults and the kids will enjoy the water park.

 

Correct: The resort offers tennis and golf for adults, and the kids will enjoy the water park.

If what follows the conjunction cannot stand alone as a sentence (is not an independent clause), then no comma is necessary.

 

Correct: The resort offers tennis and golf for adults and a water park for kids.

 

If the two independent clauses joined by the conjunction are very short, then the comma can be omitted.

 

Acceptable: Dogs are forgiving and cats are indifferent.

 

 

Dependent Clauses

 

When a sentence begins with a dependent clause, use a comma to separate it from the independent clause (the rest of the sentence).

 

The words in the table (subordinating conjunctions) are common indicators of a dependent clause:

 

If	Whenever	Unless
When	Before	Until
Although	After	Whatever
As	Since	While

 

When subordinating conjunctions are in the middle of the sentence, they usually do not need a comma.

 

Correct: I will make you cookies if you come over today.

 

When the sentence begins with a subordinating conjunction, there is a natural pause where the dependent clause ends and the independent clause begins. Read the sentence aloud and listen for the natural pause.

 

Example: If you come over today, I will make you cookies.

 

A comma is placed between the dependent clause and the independent clause.

 

Incorrect: When it is hot outside I like to eat ice cream.

 

Correct: When it is hot outside, I like to eat ice cream.

 

Try making up some sentences that begin with the words in the table. See if you can hear the natural pause between the clauses as you create the sentence.

Introductory Words and Phrases

 

Place a comma after a word or expression that introduces a sentence. These words usually indicate a transition or provide commentary on the sentence that follows. Here are some common introductory words.

 

Finally, the check arrived in the mail.

 

Unfortunately, it is not what you know but who you know.

 

Luckily, we won’t be going through that whitewater again.

 

Of course, not everyone enjoys the sensation of jumping out of an airplane.

 

However, do not get too comfortable with your present situation.

 

In the end, doing a job imperfectly is better than never trying at all.

 

First, you should understand the costs involved in starting a business.

 

Second, you must decide whether you are willing to pay that price.

 

Next, draft a business plan and let someone review it for potential problems.

 

Also, don’t forget to apply for a business license.

 

In contrast, those who study and pay attention in class usually do well on exams.

 

For example, one student who stopped text-messaging in class improved by one letter grade.

 

In the meantime, he was able to catch up on the meaningless conversations after class.

 

 

The above words only require a comma when they are functioning as introductory words. Sometimes they function as core parts of a sentence; in these cases, they will not require a comma. You must decide whether the word is functioning as an introductory word or as a core part of the sentence.

 

Next in line to be CEO is our former coworker Sally Brown. (not an introductory word)

 

 

Next, press the gas pedal to the floor and hold on for your life. (introductory word)

 

Of course I love you. (not an introductory expression)

 

Of course, not everyone needs to be given so much reassurance. (introductory expression)

Place a comma after a phrase that introduces or leads into the main part of a sentence.

This rule applies in a way similar to the dependent clause rule.

 

Kissing in the display window, the couple drew quite a crowd.

 

Of all the candidates running for office, he was my least favorite.

 

Wanting to make an impression, I rented a convertible for my first date.

 

With that in mind, we can move forward with the proposal.

 

 

Follow-up Elements

 

Place a comma before a word or phrase at the end of a sentence that serves as an after-thought. Sometimes these afterthoughts are short follow-up questions.

 

It is the first house on the left, I believe.

 

I love getting gifts for Valentine’s Day, don’t you?

 

The house was quiet, almost too quiet.

 

 

Items in a Series

 

Use a comma to separate three or more items in a series. These items can be single words or whole phrases.

 

My high school buddies and I went to France, Spain, and Italy after we graduated.

 

Tomorrow I need to wash my laundry, pay the bills, and buy some new shoes.

 

The most common error with lists is placing the comma before the first item in the list. It is correct to place the comma after the first item.

 

Incorrect: I am looking for a partner who is, trustworthy, caring, and funny.

 

Correct: I am looking for a partner who is trustworthy, caring, and funny.

 

Note: While it is more common to put a comma after the second-to-last item (before “and”), some writers and style guides choose to omit it. These exercises use the comma.

 

In a complex list, using only commas can cause confusion. Use a semicolon between pairs of words intended as a single unit but that could be misread as separate items.

Confusing: Last summer I travelled to New York, Paris, France, Rome, Italy and Moscow, Russia.

 

Better: Last summer I travelled to New York; Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Moscow, Russia.

 

 

Nonessential Interrupting Words and Phrases

 

Place commas around a word or phrase that meets these two conditions:

 

1.     The word or phrase is additional information and not necessary for the sen-tence to make sense.

 

2.     The word or phrase interrupts the flow of the sentence, almost as if it could be put in parentheses.

 

We cannot, however, allow them to launch another attack.

 

This is the first time, I believe, we have been faced with layoffs.

 

You understand, of course, that pets require a lot of work.

 

Yellowstone, the nation’s first national park, welcomes millions of visitors every year.

 

George Washington, although an inspirational leader, was not a brilliant military strategist.

 

Note: Sometimes names can be unnecessary information. Look at the example:

 

My mom, Charlene, took ballroom dancing for three years.

 

Because Charlene is surrounded in commas, we can assume that the author of this sen-tence has only one mom, and the author is simply pointing out her name, which is not necessary information. However, look at the following sentence:

 

My friend Jamey forgets her cell phone whenever she leaves the house.

 

Because there are no commas surrounding Jamey, we can assume that the author has many friends because the name, Jamey, is necessary to identify which friend the author is talking about. Be aware that this is not the same rule that is used with addressing some-one directly as stated below.

Commas  │  33 

 

Dates and Places

 

Place a comma between the city and state or nation.

 

I grew up in Billings, Montana.

 

They went on their honeymoon to Paris, France.

 

If in the middle or beginning of the sentence, a comma goes after the state or nation.

 

I grew up in Billings, Montana, during the 1980s.

 

Place a comma between and after the date and the year.

 

America declared independence from Britain on July 4, 1776.

 

On July 4th, 1776, American colonies declared independence from Britain.

 

Note: Omit the comma if the sentence does not give the day of the month.

 

June 1944 marked an important turning point in World War II.

 

I was born in October of 1965.

 

 

Addressing Someone Directly

 

Place commas around a person or group directly addressed in the sentence. If the per-son is being referred to, but not addressed directly, no comma is needed.

 

First of all, Mandy, you need to spend more time doing homework.

 

Sarah, please accept my apology for forgetting about our date.

 

I wonder if David will come to my party on Saturday. (David is being referred to, so no comma necessary).

 

 

Commas–Exercise A

 

In the sentences below, add necessary commas using the FANBOYS rule. Not all sentences will require a comma.

 

1.     I like writing poetry occasionally but my real passion is writing short fiction.

 

2.     Some people don’t like reading fiction because they feel it is pointless to get emotionally involved in a story that did not really happen.

 

3.     Fictional stories are obviously not true yet they do contain what could be called emotional truth.

 

4.     Novels, for example, are a way to explore universal emotions and experiences to which people can relate.

 

5.     Many novelists will base their stories on their personal life or they will draw on the life of real historical figures.

 

6.     Fiction writers don’t always reveal whether their stories are based on real experience so you cannot say that novels are always purely fictional.

 

7.     One type of novel is even called an “autobiographical novel” because it is so heavily based on the life of the author.

 

8.     The category “nonfiction” can be misleading as well for not all autobiogra-phies are as factual as the authors indicate.

 

9.     Some memoirists have been accused of embellishing the facts and rearranging the sequencing of events to make their life story sound more interesting.

 

10. I’m not saying there is no difference between a true story and a fictional one but you can see that the line between fiction and nonfiction is not as sharp and distinct as many think.

 

 

Commas—Exercise B

 

In the sentences below, add necessary commas using the dependent clause rule. Not all sentences will require a comma.

 

1.     Whenever I would drive to work on a particular road I had a feeling that I would get into a car crash there someday.

 

2.     Although I had never been in a car wreck it seemed like I was overdue.

 

3.     This point in my life was before I understood that our thoughts can create our reality.

 

 

4.     As I was going to work one morning I noticed how the sun was just coming up over the horizon straight ahead of me.

 

5.     I could barely see the road because the sun was so bright in my eyes.

 

6.     When I approached the intersection I barely noticed traffic had stopped due to construction.

 

7.     Although I was able to stop in time the person behind me was not so atten-tive.

 

 

8.     I came to a complete stop when suddenly I heard screeching tires behind me.

 

9.     Before I realized what was happening the car slammed into me going 40 miles per hour.

 

10. While both cars were completely wrecked nobody was badly hurt.

 

 

Commas—Exercise C

 

In the sentences below, add necessary commas using the introductory word or phrase rule. Not all sentences will require a comma.

 

1.     Unfortunately going fishing with children is not always the charming activity people make it out to be.

 

2.     The first difficulty is finding the right place.

 

3.     Second you need to mentally prepare for the fact that you will not do any serious fishing on this trip.

 

4.     Third tell your children that fishing is a relaxing sport that requires patience.

 

5.     When you find a place with lots of easy-to-catch fish, bait the hook and cast it into the pond.

 

6.     Next wait for about two minutes until your kids get bored.

 

7.     Fighting the boredom your child will throw rocks into the water.

 

8.     With all the patience you can muster you explain that this will scare away the fish.

 

 

9.     In the meantime mosquitoes will make a feast of you and the child.

 

10. Luckily you have a plan B; pack up and head to the nearest swimming pool.