COMMAS – When to Use Them

1.	in a series
	We had hot dogs, potato salad, soft drinks, and watermelon at the class picnic.
	We were taught how to sit gracefully, how to walk elegantly, and how to converse politely.
2.	between adjectives of equal weight (Tests to use:)				1) “and” could be placed between each
					2) order could be reversed
	It was the ugliest, dirtiest, skinniest little dog in the kennel.
3.	between independent clauses with a coordinatiing conjunction: and, but, yet, or, for, nor
	It was a rainy afternoon, and the children were bored.
	He was an easy target, for anyone could pull the wool over his eyes.
4.	After introductory words, phrases, clauses
	Words:	After all, you win some, and you lose some.
	Phrases:	From his seat by the window, he watched the hurrying people.
	Clauses:	Before the show started, we had a delicious dinner.
5.	to enclose words, phrases, clauses, appositives not essential to the meaning of the sentence
	Words:	It was decided that, whatever the odds, Silver Fox could win the race.
	Phrase	The furniture, draped in paint-stained sheets, was shoved into the corner.
	Clauses:	Mr. Jones, who was president of the club, gave the opening speech.
	Appositive:	The president, Mr. Jones, gave the speech.
6.	with quotations
	I said, “This is sure a mess.” “You’re right,” he answered.
7.	to separate date, places, numbers
	The Baby was born on July 9, 1978, in San Francisco, California, in a cab.
8.	to avoid confusion (use only when absolutely necessary!)
	Sharon was mad, for her parents treated her like a child.
	Soon after, Mr. Clay felt slightly sick.
COMMAS – When NOT to use them
1.	between main sentence elements
	Subject and verb:			Sometimes students who have attended expensive private schools ( ) have trouble adjusting to large public universities.
	Verb and object:			I have often noticed ( ) that a person’s physical characteristics may influence his personality.
	Verb and complement:			Whenever the dogs in the kennel appeared ( ) restless or hostile the trainer took steps to pacify them.
	Preposition and object:			Nothing troubled her except ( ) that her friendship with Bob was causing gossip.
2.	between two words or phrases joined by “and”
	She wanted more time for study ( ) and contemplation.
3.	between main clauses without a connective
	Comma splice:		I opened the door noisly, he didn’t move.
	Corrected:		I opened the door noisly, but he did’t move. (connective added) I opened the door noisly; he didn’t move. (semicolon used) I opened the door noisly. He didn’t move. (two separate sentences)
4.	With modifiers essential to the meaning of the sentence The book that I left at home is the one I really need for class. The kissing bug is an insect whose painful bit can draw blood.
5.	after the last item in a series He imagined himself as a rich, handsome, successful ( ) man of the world.