How do I know when I need to use a comma?: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
: George W. Bush, the President of the United States, will speak tonight. | : George W. Bush, the President of the United States, will speak tonight. | ||
7. Use commas with date, addresses, tittles,and numbers. | |||
: On December 31, 1956, Peter was Born. I was born in Columbus, Mississippi, in the 1980's. Bill Barnes, M.D., performed my knee surgery. | |||
8. Use commas to set off conjunctive adverbs. | |||
: Over one million people in Atlanta wanted tickets to the big game. Their access to the Super Bowl, however, was a chance in a million. | |||
---- | ---- | ||
[[Composition FAQ]] | [[Composition FAQ]] | ||
[[Category:Composition|Comma]] | [[Category:Composition|Comma]] |
Revision as of 01:20, 3 March 2005
Commas are the most used and misused punctuation for beginning college writers. Generally, the comma is used to signal and pause. Commas help to make a sentence’s meaning clearer, but if used carelessly, can cloud the meaning entirely. The most important rule to follow for using a comma is: use a comma only when you are sure you need it. More specifically, if you follow these six rules, you will use commas correctly.
1. Put a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it connects two independent clauses.
- Our plane was late, so we ate dinner.
2. Put a comma between items in a series and coordinate adjectives.
- I’m taking math, science, and reading.
- Use the large, red pen.
Some words seem to go togther, so do not need a comma:
- She is a sweet little old lady.
3. Put a comma after an introductory expression (word clause, phrase) that does not flow smoothly into the sentence.
- Yes, I have visited New York City.
- Although I like reading, I watched a movie instead.
- For example, dogs might be a better choice than hampsters.
4. Put commas around the name of a person being addressed (direct address).
- Look, Derek, I do not care for your attitude.
- Kim, would you hand me that piano?
- Would you get me a Coke, darling?
5. Put commas around expressions that interrupt the flow of the sentence.
- I think, of course, that she is the best person for the job.
6. Put commas around non-restrictive information, or nonessential information. If the information is removed, it will not change the meaning of the sentence.
- George W. Bush, the President of the United States, will speak tonight.
7. Use commas with date, addresses, tittles,and numbers.
- On December 31, 1956, Peter was Born. I was born in Columbus, Mississippi, in the 1980's. Bill Barnes, M.D., performed my knee surgery.
8. Use commas to set off conjunctive adverbs.
- Over one million people in Atlanta wanted tickets to the big game. Their access to the Super Bowl, however, was a chance in a million.