Common Comma Issues

Introductory Commas
Use commas after introductory clauses, phrases, or words that come before the main clause.

1. Common introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because,
if, since, when, and while.
a. Example: Although she stayed up late, she didn’t feel tired.

2. Common introductory phrases that should be followed by a comma include participial and infinitive
phrases, absolute phrases, nonessential appositive phrases, and long prepositional phrases (over four words.)

a. Example (long prepositional phrase): In order to finish your homework on time, you should
start working on it soon.
b. Example (participle phrase): Given the opportunity, I would lead the project to the best of my
ability.

3. Common introductory words that should be followed by a comma include yes, however, and well.
a. Example: However, I was told to go home.

Non-Restrictive Clauses, Phrases, and Words

Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the
meaning of the sentence (if the sentence still makes sense without it.) Use one comma before to indicate the
beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause.

1. Clause: Last week, which happened to be my vacation, I finished the book.

2. Phrase: Yesterday, on the other hand, I wasn’t able to eat breakfast.
3. Word: I, however, decided I didn’t want to go.

Restrictive Clauses
Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning with “that” (relative
clauses.) “That” clauses after nouns and following a verb expressing mental action are always essential. If the
sentence does not make sense without the clause, do not separate it with commas.

1. “That” clause after a noun: The book that I borrowed from you is excellent.
2. “That” clause following a verb expressing mental action: I believe that I will be able to finish the book.
Separating a Subject and Verb
Never separate a subject from its verb with a comma.

1. Example: One of my favorite things to do, is avoid doing homework.

a. “My” is the subject and “is” is the verb, and they cannot be separated. It should be “One of my
favorite things to do is to avoid doing homework.”

Serial (Oxford) Commas

Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series. If the items in the series
contain commas, use semicolons.

1. Example: Lions, tigers, and bears are some of the animals I am afraid of.
2. Example (with semicolons): I am friends with Dog, the Bounty Hunter; House, the doctor; and Bob,
the chef.

Direct Address
Use a comma when someone is directly addressed and the person you are addressing is not necessarily part of the
main clause.

1. At the beginning of the sentence: Spider-Man, your crime-fighting skills are incredible!
2. At the end of the sentence: The height of that building made saving that girl seem impossible, but you
were able to pull it off, Spider-Man.
3. In the middle of the sentence: Your suit, Spider-Man, is very well-made and stylish.

Coordinate Adjectives
Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. You can decide if two
adjectives are coordinate by asking the following questions:

1. Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives are written in reverse order?
 “cold, dark house” vs “dark, cold house” (Yes!)
2. Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives are written with “and” between them?
 “cold, dark house” vs “cold and dark house” (Yes!)

If the answer to these questions is yes, then the adjectives coordinate and should be separated by a comma. You
should never add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself or use commas with non-
coordinate adjectives.

1. Example of coordinate adjectives: He lived in a cold, dark house.

2. Example of non-coordinate adjectives: He lived in a dark blue house.
(Because “dark” describes “blue,” the adjectives cannot be separated with a comma.)

Contrasted Coordinate Elements/Distinct Shifts

Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause
or shift.

1. Example: I was merely fashionably late, not forgetful.

2. Example: You have to work tonight, don’t you?

Quotations
Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation.

1. Example: Robert said quietly, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

2. Example: “I could,” she replied, “consider what you said.”
3. Example: In 1848, Marx wrote, “Workers of the world, unite!”

Geographical Names, Dates, Addresses, and Titles in Names

Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the
street number and name), and titles in names.

1. Example (geographical names): Milan, New York, is named after Milan, Italy.
2. Example (date): The film version of The Shining came out May 23, 1980, and was directed by Stanley
Kubrick.
3. Example (address): Universal Studios Hollywood is located at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City,
California.
4. Example (title in name): John Michael Dorian, M.D., is a character in the T.V. show Scrubs.

*Adapted from: Purdue Owl and Write (http://www.write.com/writing-guides/general-

writing/punctuation/mastering-the-art-of-comma-usage/commas-misuse-of-commas/)