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A comma ( , ) is used to indicate a pause or a change in thought. Commas may be used to keep
words and ideas form running together, and making writing easier to read.
- Between Items In A Series:
Commas are used between words, phraes, or clauses in a series of at least three items.
- To Keep Numbers Clear:
Commas are often used to separate groups of digits in a number. The most common
practice in North America is use a comma before three digits (thousands, millions, . . . ) on the lefthand
side of the decimal point.
- In Dates and Addresses:
- Exact Dialogue Separation:
Commas are used to separate an exact quotation from the rest of the sentence. Note:
No commas are used with summarize dialogue.
- To Separate Interruptions:
Clause or phrase based interruptions are set off from the main clause using commas.
A clause or phrase that can be removed or moved without changing the meaning of the sentence interupts the main clause.
- To Set Off Interjections:
Commas are used to separate interjections or weak exclamations from the sentence.
- In Direct Address:
Commas are used to separate nouns being directly addressed.
- To Enclose Additional Information:
Additional information may include a persons title or initials.
- Between Two Independent Clauses:
Avoid splicing two independent clauses together without both a comma and a conjunction.
- To Separate Clauses and Pharases:
Modifying or adverb clauses may be set apart from the indepenent clause using commas.
- To Separate Adjectives:
Commas are used to separate two or more adjectives that modify the same noun.
- To Set Off Phrases:
Commas are used to separate explanatory phrases from the rest of the sentence.
- To Set Off Appositives:
Commas may be use to separate non-restrictive (not required for the main meaing of the sentence) appositives, phrases, and clauses.
Appositives rename the noun or pronoun.
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Comma - Usage Examples
| Between Items In A Series: |
The hardware store has nails, hammers, screws, and screw drivers. |
| To Keep Numbers Clear: |
The bank has $100,000,000 dollars.
The piece of steel costs $987,654,321.10 (987,654,321 dollars and ten cents). |
| In Dates And Addresses: |
May 10, 2020
Our family lives at 100 Main Street, Milpitas, California. |
| Exact Dialogue Separation: |
Harry said, "Turn off the light." |
| To Separate Interruptions: |
Mary will probably, as we all know, marry Harry. |
| To Set Off Interjections: |
Yes, I broke the glass table. |
| In Direct Address: |
Jimmy, eat you dinner.
Do your homework, Bill. |
| To Enclose Additional Information: |
Jane Teller, M.D., wants change the conference call to 4:30 p.m..
The sail boat, made by ABC Inc., handles well in heavy seas. |
| Between Two Independent Clauses: |
Popular conjunctions include: and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet.
Jessica is pretty but, Jessica is well known for being smart. |
| To Separate Clauses and Pharases: |
A lot of peope own a car, what will happen with the world's oil runs out? |
| To Separate Adjectives: |
Big, strong, young men can lift heavy objects. |
| To Set Off Phrases: |
The Mark 4 race car, the simpliest race car to drive, is popular with the new drivers. |
| To Set Off Appositives: |
VOD, Video on Demand, is a nice way to watch movies at home.
The rain is important to the famer's crops, which we eat. Which we eat - is non-restrictive. |
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