Phil Druker/ Department of English/ UI  English317

Phil Druker/ English 317

                                                                       COMMAS

Here are the basic rules for using commas.   See correct comma samples.

1. USE A COMMA TO JOIN TWO COMPLETE SENTENCES (MAIN or INDEPENDENT
     CLAUSES) WITH A CONJUNCTION (and, but, or, nor, so, yet, for).

             Subject + Verb + (Object) ,  CONJUNCTION + S + V + O .

            a) The RESET command affects field access, and the SEARCH command affects the filing.

            b) Both methods are acceptable, but we have found the second method most effective.

            c) We thought the methodology was correct, so we tried the experiment again.

    However:  S + V + O CONJUNCTION + V + O .  (NO COMMA)

     d) The RESET command affects the field access and controls the filing arrangement.

2.  USE A COMMA AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY PHRASE (INCLUDING
       SUBORDINATORS -- click or see below --    CLAUSES THAT INTRODUCE A SENTENCE).

    INTRODUCTORY PHRASE , S + V + O.

            a) For many years, researchers have been looking for the answer.

               In Britain during the same decade, people began to worry about inflation.

    SUBORDINATOR **  S + V + O ,  S + V + O.

            b) Although he was president, he still felt insecure.

            c) While most accountants wear suits, few engineers do.

            d) Because the problem was so complicated, few researchers were willing to deal with it.        

            e) When we finish this step, we will write a proposal for the next project.

    However:  S + V + O SUBORDINATOR S + V + O.  (Usually, we use no comma when the
        subordinate clause comes at the end of the sentence.)

            f) We will write a proposal for the next project when we finish this step.

3. USE A COMMA TO INDICATE A PHRASE IS PARENTHETICAL (not necessary to the
    meaning of the sentence).

            Note:  often when a phrase or clause can be moved in the sentence, it should be separate
                     from the sentence with commas.

            a)  The cobra, a very poisonous snake, was found in the shower.  (We know cobras are poisonous.)

                The snake that is very poisonous was found in the shower. (We don't know that the snake is
                            poisonous, and this is important information.)

            b) You should have asked Mary, who left yesterday. (We know Mary.)

               You should have asked the woman who left yesterday. (We don't know which "woman.")

               Johnson, the temporary chairman, called the meeting to order.

            c) Haiti, a country that has been ruled various dictators for many years, is one of the
                 poorest countries in the hemisphere.

            d) I wish, by the way, you had talked to me sooner.

            e) However, you should talk to me whenever you need to.

4. USE COMMAS WITH LISTS.  Use a comma when each element has the same importance
 or when the order of ideas can be interchanged.

            a) The finished product is a comfortable, sleek, modern cruiser.

            b) We need a new computer, a new printer, and better software.

            c) The light, brown bag broke.  The brown, light bag broke.

                The light brown bag broke.  ("light brown" refers to color)

            d) The court, the governor, and the house and senate concurred.

            e)  I divide my possessions between my children: Tom, Mary, and Ted.  (They receive equal portions.)
             I divide my possessions between my children: Tom, Mary and Ted.  (Tom receives half, and
                        the other two receive the other half.)

5. USE COMMAS IN OTHER CONVENTIONAL WAYS:

            DATES:  January 1, 1980.

            QUOTATIONS:  Johnson reported, "55 percent of the waste is discharged into the river."

            PLACE NAMES: Moscow, Idaho; Pullman, Washington.

            TITLES: Harold Johnson, Ph.D., will speak.

** SUBORDINATORS (These words combine clauses to create
                                        complex sentences.)

Time:  when, while, since, before, after, until, once

Place:  where, wherever

Cause:  because, since, as, now that, inasmuch as

Condition:  if, unless, on condition that

Contrast/Concession:  although, even though, despite, in spite of

Adversative:  while, where, whereas

Other:  that, which, who, whoever, whom, what, why, how....