English Punctuation: Usage of Comma

Commas are used for in the following situations:

Commas are used with lists.

Commas in English Grammar are a very common part English Punctuation. Commas are used to separate a list of nouns, including names), 2 or more adjectives , a list of independent clauses or any other kind of lists.

Rules For Using Commas With List

Commas are used when there are 2 or more nouns in a list (example: cats, dogs and mice).

It is common for "and" or "or" to separate the last 2 words in a list.

A comma is optional before the word "and" or "or".

Examples:

Tomorrow is going to be hot, sunny and dry.

I have to buy tomatoes, beans, peppers and a lot of onions.

Do you want to listen to rock music, Jazz or pop music?

Commas are used with addresses, dates and Titles.

Titles, Dates & Addresses

There are special puncation rules for date, names and addresses, Titles.

Rules for using commas with dates, names and addresses:

Dates - a comma is placed, between the day and the year, when the writing according to American English (Month, Day, Year - September 15, 2005.

Note: If the date is written the according to Europe (Day, Month, Year), then there is no comma.

Days and Dates - When writing the day and the date a comma is placed after the day, and follow the rules for dates (see above).

Example: Monday, July 15, 2008

Titles - A comma is place after a name followed by a title.

Example: John Brown, Ph.D.

Tim Lee, Jr.

Addresses - A comma is placed between a street and a town or city, State, and Country.

Example: 15 Fifth Avenue, Houston, England.

Commas are used with Independent and Dependent Clauses.

Independent clauses and dependent/Subordinate clauses made easy so everyone can understand!

Independent and Dependent /Subordinate Clauses

Independent Clauses	Dependent/Subordinate Clauses
A complete thought contains a subject and a predicate(object). is a complete sentence	not a complete thought contains a subject and a predicate(object). is not a complete sentence
Examples: I like to go to the store. We are going to the movies. The teachers at schools are really nice.	Examples: I like to go We are going The teacher at school

Commas are used with nonessential clauses.

Comma use with nonessential clauses, phrases and words

1. Clauses that are not sentences.

2. Clauses that provide extra information.

3. The sentence makes sense with out the nonessential clause.

Comma usage with nonessential clauses:

Commas are placed before the nonessential clause, and at the end of the nonessential clause.

Examples:

1. My English teacher, is really nice, is going to give me a letter for college.

2. The boy, that was playing in the street, that got hit by a car was my brother.

3. My neighbor, that lives on the 2nd floor, is going to take me to school tomorrow.

Commas are ued for introductry cluases, phrases and word/s.

Introductory clauses, phrases and words are:

1. Clauses, phrases or words that are not sentences.

2. Clauses, phrases or words that provide extra information.

3. The sentence makes sense with out the clause, phrase or words.

4. Clauses, phrases or words that come at the beginning of the sentence.

5. They are used as background information, extra information.

6. There can be more than one introductory clause, phrase or word in a sentences.

Commas are placed after the introductory clause, phase or words. If there is more than one introductory clause, phase or words a comma is placed after each introductory clause, phase or words.

Examples:

Wow, that was a great movie.

While I got dressed, The radio was playing a great song.

Excellent job, everyone did a really good job.

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