This is not a complete list.
The following situations are the five most common reasons for using
commas. Learn them.
- Use a comma between two clauses (subject + verb) joined by the following conjunctions:
and
but
or
nor
for
(which means the same as “because” and “since”)
so
yet
Notice how there is a clause on either side of the conjunction. Examples:
The boy with ADHD was watching television, and
he was playing games on his computer.
I would go with you to rent the DVD at Redbox, but
I already saw it twice in the theaters.
Do not disobey me, or you will see what
happens when people don’t follow orders.
The snobby woman has never considered dating a
nerd, nor has she ever considered dating anyone without a car.
Nobody was listening to the teacher, for
everybody was too busy talking about who won on “The Voice” last night.
We have all been through this over and over
again, so please don’t ask any more questions about the procedure.
She is tweeting all the time, yet
somehow she still manages to hear everything the teacher is saying.
- Use a comma after introductory elements.
The following introductory adverb clauses
are followed by a comma when they start a clause at the beginning of a sentence. This is not a complete list, but you get the
idea.
AFTER: After he took out the trash, he went into the house and did
the dishes.
ALTHOUGH: Although she has a nice complexion, her hair is always
tangled.
AS FAR AS: As far as I know, there are no bears in that forest.
AS LONG AS: As long as you keep studying, your grades will improve.
AS SOON AS: As soon as the police officer left, the robbers went back to
the bank to steal from the vault.
BECAUSE: Because you never forget to study, you continue to receive
good grades.
BEFORE: Before he sent the e-mail, he proofread it and added a few
more sentences.
IF:
If you
want to become a clown at the circus, you have to go to Clown College.
NO MATTTER HOW: No
matter how much he tries, he cannot seem to master the art of singing like Michael
Jackson.
NOW THAT: Now that I took the test, I feel relieved that it’s all over.
ONCE: Once she decided to become a nicer person, everybody noticed.
PROVIDED: Provided you eat your vegetables, you can have dessert.
SINCE: Since he is always late, we’ve come to expect it.
UNLESS: Unless it rains tomorrow, the party will be held outdoors.
WHEN: When the bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, many people instantly died.
WHENEVER: Whenever you sneeze, please remember to use a Kleenex.
WHEREVER: Wherever he goes, people follow.
WHETHER OR NOT: Whether or not you decide to audition, remember to use
deodorant in the morning.
WHILE: While
the movie was playing, I couldn’t help worrying if I turned off all the lights
in the house before I left for the theater.
- Use a comma after long introductory phrases. Examples:
In times of confusion, doubt, and anxiety, yoga and meditation can be great coping strategies.
Within the totalitarian state of North Korean, many people are miserable and starving.
- After introductory transitional expressions, interjections, and introductory Yes/No. Examples:
He was really stupid. In
fact, he usually forgot the answer after the teacher told it to him.
Well, I suppose it
wouldn’t hurt to try.
Yes, you are accepted into
this sorority on condition you pay your dues.
- Commas are used to separate items in a series. Examples:
Her performance on “American Idol” was flawed, strange, and
unprofessional.
Today at the flea market I bought a Prada handbag, a Kenneth
Cole purse, a white dress, and a set of plates.
Some people are just mad, bad, and dangerous to know.
NOTE: Notice that in the above three examples,
there is a comma before the “and” that signals the last element.
Commas also separate series of adjectives before a noun. Note
that in these instances, there is no comma after the last adjective. That is, do not put a comma after the last
adjective before the noun. Example:
Her flawed, strange, unprofessional performance gave her low
marks from the judges on “American Idol.”
People often say he is a strange, difficult, irrational
individual, but I think he is a genius.
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