, The
Comma
A
zesty sidedish that works well to set off almost any meal.
Use
a comma:
-
After
introductory phrases -
After
any word, phrase, or clause that introduces a thought or idea:
Afterwards,
we went home. Later that day, the truck appeared.
-
With
transitional words and phrases -
Transitional
words and phrases help make smooth connections between ideas in sentences.
Some examples of transitionals:
in
fact, in addition, therefore, however, for example
The
flood leveled most of the town; however, the town hall remained
unharmed.
A
tag question is a question tagged onto a statement:
You're
the culprit, aren't you?
Commas
appear between elements (words, phrases, and clauses) arranged in lists:
We
ate dishes of ice-cream, Jell-o, apple pie, chocolate pudding, and sherbet.
-
In
between two independent clauses joined with a conjunction
-
When
two independent clauses are joined with a coordination conjunction use
a comma before the conjunction:
I
went there, and he came here.
Rice
is a good source of carbohydrates, but too much rice can turn into
fat.
CHEF'S
NOTES:
An independent clause contains a subject and a verb. It doesn't need
any other words to help create a complete thought.
-
Between
two coordinating adjectives -
Coordinating
adjectives can be joined by the word and, for example, green
and leafy.
When
two or more adjectives modify the same noun, the word and can be
replaced by a comma:
The
tree had green, leafy branches.
(If
there's more than two adjectives, refer to the rules for using commas in
lists).
-
Commas
for quoted words -
Whenever
a direct quote appears, a comma appears:
He
said, "I missed the bus again."
Anthony
said, "I'll drive you there."
Note:
Indirect quotations do not take commas:
He
said that he had missed the bus.
CHEF'S
NOTES: Notice that the comma appears after the word
"said". However, indirect quotations, that is, quotations that
are not someone's exact words, do not take a comma. Look above and compare
the indirect quote with the direct quote. Here's a clue: most indirect
quotes have the word "that" following the word "said".
Commas
appear in the opening address and in the complimentary close of informal
letters:
Dear
Betty,
Sincerely,
-
Commas
with nonrestrictive phrases and clauses -
A
nonrestrictive phrase or clause is a phrase of clause that is not essential
to the meaning of the sentence. Therefore, if it were eliminated the
overall meaning of the sentence would not change:
The
fly, which came in through the open window, landed on the fruit.
-
Commas
in Numbers and Dates -
Commas
appear after every 3rd digit in long numbers except in the year of a
date. In dates, the comma appears after the day:
July
4, 1992
Jan.
8, 1971
$1,
450, 200
We
all know that when addressing an envelope, a comma comes between the city
and state:
Brooklyn,
New York
This
same rule applies even when the city and state appear in sentences:
Binghamton,
New York is close to Reading, Pennsylvania.
When
a name is ordered with the last name appearing before the first name, a
comma is placed between them:
Smith,
Emily ; Gonzales, Vincent
When
a person has various educational degrees or titles listed after their name,
commas appear between the various degrees:
Mario
Baritta, Ph.D., M.D., P.C.
When
someone is directly addressed, set the name off with commas.
Cheryl,
are you listening?
Thank
you, Robert, for helping me.
An
appositive is a word or phrase that re-defines or further describes the
word or phrase before it.
Jonathan,
a notable lawyer, was present at the conference.
Notice
that the re-defining phrase is set off by commas.
|
