Comma Usage Review

"I was able" she answered "to complete the assignment."

"I was able," she answered, "to complete the assignment." Example of shifting between the main discourse and a quotation.

A popular and well respected mayor Bailey was the clear favorite in the campaign for governor.

A popular and well respected mayor, Bailey was the clear favorite in the campaign for governor. Example of introductory dependent phrase

After the adjustment for inflation real wages have decreased while corporate profits have grown.

After the adjustment for inflation, real wages have decreased while corporate profits have grown. Example of introductory dependent phrase

After the test but before lunch I went jogging.

After the test but before lunch, I went jogging. Example of introductory phrase

An eighteen-year old in California is now considered an adult.

An eighteen-year old in California is now considered an adult. Example of not using to separate the subject from the verb.

Apples which are my favorite fruit are the main ingredient in this recipe.

Apples, which are my favorite fruit, are the main ingredient in this recipe. Example of nonessential elements (set off by commas)

Barking insistently Smokey got us to throw his ball for him.

Barking insistently, Smokey got us to throw his ball for him. Example of introductory dependent phrase

Because he kept barking insistently we threw the ball for Smokey.

Because he kept barking insistently, we threw the ball for Smokey. Example of introductory dependent clause

Because her alarm clock was broken she was late for class.

Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class. Example of introductory clause

Birmingham Alabama gets its name from Birmingham England.

Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England. Example of setting off geographical names, dates, addresses, and titles in names.

Fred who often cheats is just harming himself.

Fred, who often cheats, is just harming himself. Example of nonessential elements (set off by commas)

Having finished the test he left the room.

Having finished the test, he left the room. Example of introductory phrase

He is dreaming that he can fly.

He is dreaming that he can fly. Example of not setting off essential elements of the sentence. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential.

He was a difficult stubborn child.

He was a difficult, stubborn child. Example of separate 2+ coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun

He was merely ignorant not stupid.

He was merely ignorant, not stupid. Example of ending separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift.

However you may not be satisfied with the results.

However, you may not be satisfied with the results. Example of introductory word

I appreciate your hard work. In this case however you seem to have overexerted yourself.

I appreciate your hard work. In this case, however, you seem to have overexerted yourself. Example of setting off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence

I contend that it was wrong to mislead her.

I contend that it was wrong to mislead her. Example of not setting off essential elements of the sentence. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential.

I turned the corner and ran smack into a patrol car.

I turned the corner and ran smack into a patrol car. Example of not putting between the two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate.

If they want to win athletes must exercise every day.

If they want to win, athletes must exercise every day. Example of introductory dependent clause

If you are ill you ought to see a doctor.

If you are ill, you ought to see a doctor. Example of introductory clause

In 1848 Marx wrote "Workers of the world unite!"

In 1848, Marx wrote, "Workers of the world, unite!" Example of shifting between the main discourse and a quotation.

It is up to you Jane to finish.

It is up to you, Jane, to finish. Example of nonessential elements (set off by commas)

Jeff told me that the job was still available and that the manager wanted to interview me.

Jeff told me that the job was still available and that the manager wanted to interview me. Example of not putting between the two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses in a compound subject or compound object.

John said without emotion "I'll see you tomorrow."

John said without emotion, "I'll see you tomorrow." Example of shifting between the main discourse and a quotation.

July 22 1959 was a momentous day in his life. Who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington DC?

July 22, 1959, was a momentous day in his life. Who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC? Example of setting off geographical names, dates, addresses, and titles in names.

Laughing joyously Lisa waved at Nancy.

Laughing joyously, Lisa waved at Nancy. Example of setting off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer to the beginning or middle of the sentence.

Lisa waved at Nancy, who was laughing joyously.

Lisa waved at Nancy, who was laughing joyously. Example of setting off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer to the beginning or middle of the sentence.

Most of the evidence seemed convincing. Still the credibility of some witnesses was in question.

Most of the evidence seemed convincing. Still, the credibility of some witnesses was in question. Example of introductory words creating continuity from one sentence to the next.

My niece wearing a yellow jumpsuit is playing in the living room.

My niece, wearing a yellow jumpsuit, is playing in the living room. Example of nonessential elements (set off by commas)

Nancy waved enthusiastically at the docking ship laughing joyously.

Nancy waved enthusiastically at the docking ship, laughing joyously. Example of setting off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer to the beginning or middle of the sentence.

Professor Benson, grinning from ear to ear, announced that the exam would be tomorrow.

Professor Benson grinning from ear to ear announced that the exam would be tomorrow. Example of nonessential elements (set off by commas)

Rachel B. Lake MD will be the principal speaker.

Rachel B. Lake, MD, will be the principal speaker. Example of setting off geographical names, dates, addresses, and titles in names.

She believes that she will be able to earn an A.

She believes that she will be able to earn an A. Example of not setting off essential elements of the sentence. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential.

She often wore a gray wool shawl.

She often wore a gray wool shawl. Example of never use commas between non-coordinate adjectives

She was still quite upset although she had won the Oscar.

She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar. Example of after the main clause when a dependent clause is extreme contrast.

She was still quite upset although she had won the Oscar.

She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar. Example of not putting after the main clause when a dependent clause follows it except for cases of extreme contrast

She was however too tired to make the trip.

She was, however, too tired to make the trip. Example of nonessential elements (set off by commas)

Students who cheat only harm themselves.

Students who cheat only harm themselves. Example of not setting off other essential elements of the sentence.

That Tuesday which happens to be my birthday is the only day when I am available to meet.

That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only day when I am available to meet. Example of setting off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence

The Constitution establishes the legislative executive and judicial branches of government.

The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. Example of separate 3+ words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.

The Green party candidate who had the least money lost the election.

The Green party candidate, who had the least money, lost the election. Example of nonessential elements (set off by commas)

The apples that fell out of the basket are bruised.

The apples that fell out of the basket are bruised. Example of not setting off essential elements of the sentence. That clauses after nouns are always essential.

The average temperatures for July 1998 are the highest on record for that month.

The average temperatures for July 1998 are the highest on record for that month. Example of setting off geographical names, dates, addresses, and titles in names. When you use just the month and the year, no comma is necessary after the month or year

The baby wearing a yellow jumpsuit is my niece.

The baby wearing a yellow jumpsuit is my niece. Example of not setting off other essential elements of the sentence.

The book that I borrowed from you is excellent.

The book that I borrowed from you is excellent. Example of not setting off essential elements of the sentence. That clauses after nouns are always essential.

The candidate promised to lower taxes protect the environment reduce crime and end unemployment.

The candidate promised to lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce crime, and end unemployment. Example of separate 3+ words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.

The candidate who had the least money lost the election.

The candidate who had the least money lost the election. Example of other essential elements (no commas)

The cat scratched at the door while I was eating.

The cat scratched at the door while I was eating. Example of no comma after the main clause when a dependent clause follows it

The cat scratched at the door while I was eating.

The cat scratched at the door while I was eating. Example of not putting after the main clause when a dependent clause follows it

The chimpanzee seemed reflective almost human.

The chimpanzee seemed reflective, almost human. Example of ending separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift.

The coaches reviewed the game strategy. Meanwhile the athletes trained on the Nautilus equipment.

The coaches reviewed the game strategy. Meanwhile, the athletes trained on the Nautilus equipment. Example of introductory words creating continuity from one sentence to the next.

The game was over but the crowd refused to leave.

The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave. Example of separate independent clauses when joined by conjunction

The most important attribute of a ball player is quick reflex actions.

The most important attribute of a ball player is quick reflex actions. Example of not using to separate the subject from the verb.

The music teacher from your high school and the football coach from mine are married.

The music teacher from your high school and the football coach from mine are married. Example of not putting between the two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses in a compound subject or compound object.

The prosecutor argued that the defendant who was at the scene of the crime who had a strong revenge motive and who had access to the murder weapon was guilty of homicide.

The prosecutor argued that the defendant, who was at the scene of the crime, who had a strong revenge motive, and who had access to the murder weapon, was guilty of homicide. Example of separate 3+ words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.

The relentless powerful summer sun beat down on them.

The relentless, powerful summer sun beat down on them. Example of mixed coordinate and non-coordinate adjectives (1-2 are coordinate; 2-3 are non-coordinate.)

The relentless powerful oppressive sun beat down on them.

The relentless, powerful, oppressive sun beat down on them. Example of multiple coordinate adjectives (Both 1-2 and 2-3 are coordinate.)

The speaker seemed innocent even gullible.

The speaker seemed innocent, even gullible. Example of ending separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift.

The student explained her question yet the instructor still didn't seem to understand.

The student explained her question, yet the instructor still didn't seem to understand. Example of separate independent clauses when joined by conjunction

The sun radiating intense heat we sought shelter in the cafe.

The sun radiating intense heat, we sought shelter in the cafe. Example of introductory phrase

The wind blowing violently the townspeople began to seek shelter.

The wind blowing violently, the townspeople began to seek shelter. Example of introductory dependent phrase

They lived in a white frame house.

They lived in a white frame house. Example of never use commas between non-coordinate adjectives

They wished that warm weather would finally arrive.

They wished that warm weather would finally arrive. Example of not setting off essential elements of the sentence. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential.

This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food on the other hand is rather bland.

This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food, on the other hand, is rather bland. Example of setting off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence

To George Harrison had been a sort of idol.

To George, Harrison had been a sort of idol. Example of wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading.

To get a seat you'd better come early.

To get a seat, you'd better come early. Example of introductory phrase

To stay in shape for competition athletes must exercise every day.

To stay in shape for competition, athletes must exercise every day. Example of introductory dependent phrase

Tom the captain of the team was injured in the game.

Tom, the captain of the team, was injured in the game. Example of nonessential elements (set off by commas)

Two hundred dollars I think is sufficient.

Two hundred dollars, I think, is sufficient. Example of nonessential elements (set off by commas)

We laid out our music and snacks and began to study.

We laid out our music and snacks and began to study. Example of not putting between the two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate.

Well perhaps he meant no harm.

Well, perhaps he meant no harm. Example of introductory word

When the snow stops falling we'll shovel the driveway.

When the snow stops falling, we'll shovel the driveway. Example of introductory clause

While I was eating the cat scratched at the door.

While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door. Example of introductory clause

Yes the package should arrive tomorrow morning.

Yes, the package should arrive tomorrow morning. Example of introductory word

Yesterday was her brother's birthday so she took him out to dinner.

Yesterday was her brother's birthday, so she took him out to dinner. Example of separate independent clauses when joined by conjunction

You're one of the senator's close friends aren't you?

You're one of the senator's close friends, aren't you? Example of ending separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift.

Your cousin has an easy happy smile.

Your cousin has an easy, happy smile. Example of separate 2+ coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun