1. Use the comma to separate items in a series of three or more items.
She ordered orange juice, cereal, eggs, toast, and coffee.
A serial comma is the comma placed before the conjunction in a sentence which lists items in a series.
2. Use a comma before the words and, but, or, nor, and yet when they join 2 independent clauses in a sentence. Remember, an independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a complete sentence.
I dropped by Stella's apartment yesterday, but she wasn't home.
3. Use a comma to separate an introductory word or group of words from the rest of the sentence.
No, I have not had a chance to review your project.
4. Use a comma to set off a word or group of words that interrupt the thought flow in a sentence.
They visited the castle which, larger than some and older than most, gave them considerable insight into medieval life.
5. One of the finer points of comma placement is found with sentences that have non-essential phrases or clauses. To decide if a phrase or clause is non-essential, read your sentence without this group of words. These words form a non-essential phrase or clause-and should be set off with commas-if the meaning of the sentence stays the same without them.
He is, according to his supervisor, trying as hard as he can.
Do not set off an essential phrase or clause with commas. An essential phrase or clause is a phrase or clause that cannot be omitted without changing the basic meaning of the sentence.
Judy Garland was a great singer who was also a gifted actress and comedienne.
6. A comma can indicate the omission of a word, usually a word that has been previously used in a sentence.
Common stocks are preferred by some investors; bonds, by others; and mortgages, still by others.
7. Use commas to set off transitional words or expressions; then, indeed, moreover, nevertheless, of course, furthermore, in addition, on the other hand, for example, that is, for instance, and other similar expressions. Also, a comma follows such words and expressions when they appear at the beginning of a sentence.
It would not be correct, on the other hand, to say that he was fired.
8. Use a comma for direct address.
Brendan, will the new training schedule be available on Friday?
9. Use a comma to separate two geographical units, one of which is included in the other.
Portland, Oregon
Do not put a comma between a state and a zip code.
Walnut Creek, California 94598
10. Use a comma to separate the day and the month from the year, and a comma to separate the year from the text that follows it. If the date is written in a day-month-year format, the commas are omitted.
The meeting will be held on February 18, 1992, at 9:00 P.M.
11. Use a comma to set off figures of more than four digits.
10,000
12. Use a comma to set off a person's name from the name of the degree or professional title that follows it. Also, separate the name of each additional degree or professional title with a comma.
J.F. Wilson, Ph.D
Cheryl Yoshimura,M.A., M.S.W.
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