| Punctuation is a convention of writing that help readers more clearly understand written language. There are ten punctuation rules for using commas as punctuation marks in written American English:
Separating items in a series
Separating verb clauses
After adverbials and adjuncts that precede the main clause
Separating coordinate adjectives
Separating nonrestrictive adjective clauses
Separating nonessential appositives
Separating contrasted coordinate phrases
Separating nonessential adverbs and parentheticals
Transitioning between quotations
In dates, geographical places, numbers, personal titles, direct addresses, and brief interjections
The following sections explain and provide examples of the first five punctuation rules for commas in written English.
Commas in Series
Use a comma to separate items in a series. A series is a list of three or more items. Place a comma after each item but the last in the series including before the coordinating conjunction. The seven coordinating conjunctions in English are and, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet. For example:
Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are my favorite spices.
The little boy runs, jumps, bikes, and swims all summer.
Your bedroom is dusty, disorganized, and unsanitary.
Farmers grow red cherries, orange pumpkins, yellow corn, and green peppers.
Do not use a comma to separate items in lists of only two items.
Commas between Verb Clauses
Use a comma to separate two or more verb clauses that are joined by a coordinating conjunction. A verb clause – which is also referred to as an independent clause, main clause, superordinate clause, or matrix clause – is a clause that contains both a subject and a predicate and that functions as a complete sentence. For example:
My mother cooked the turkey, but I prepared the sweet potatoes.
He came, he saw, and he conquered.
Some preview students were lost on campus, so a professor offered to give them a tour.
Some vegetarians eat fish, but others refuse to eat any meat.
Commas After Adverbials and Adjuncts
Use a comma after an adverbial or adjunct in the form of a prepositional phrase, verb phrase, or adverb clause that precedes the verb clause. An adverbial is a word, phrase, or clause that modifies an entire clause by providing additional information about time, place, manner, condition, purpose, reason, result, and concession. An adjunct is a word or phrase that frames an entire clause. For example:
To learn to write in English, students must study punctuation.
Because of the storm, the power was out all over town.
Although she hated camping, she agreed to go because she loved her husband.
In my opinion, writing well requires one to have studied grammar.
Do not use a comma before an adverbial or adjunct that follows the main clause.
Commas Between Coordinate Adjectives
Use a comma between coordinate adjectives. Coordinate adjectives are defined as adjective phrases that equally describe one noun and can be separated by the coordinating conjunction and. For example:
The guitarist played a beautiful, haunting melody.
The explorer travelled on a narrow, treacherous road up the mountain.
Our neighbors own a loud, rambunctious dog.
My brother is a stubborn, difficult, unruly child.
Do not use a comma between cumulative adjectives. Cumulative adjectives are defined as adjective phrases that cannot be connected by the coordinating conjunction and and whose meaning are cumulative.
Commas With Nonrestrictive Adjective Clauses
Use a comma to separate a nonrestrictive adjective clause. A nonrestrictive adjective clause is defined as an adjective clause that is optional and whose addition or deletion does not change the meaning of the main clause. For example:
The book, which happens to be my favorite, is available at the library.
My mother, who happens to be sitting by the window, is an avid reader.
The castle, where we got married, was burglarized last night.
She lived in Delhi, which is the capital of India.
Do not use a common to separate a restrictive adjective clause. Also note that the same adjective clause may be either restrictive or nonrestrictive depending on context.
Punctuation marks are a convention of written language that make reading and writing more understandable for readers and writers. Commas perform ten basic functions in written American English, the first five of which are explained and exemplified in the above sections.
For information on the last five rules for commas in written English, please read the article More Punctuation Rules for Commas in English: When to Use Commas in Written American English.
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