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WHERE TO USE COMMAS

Unlike the hipster semicolon, t he misunderstood colon, and the purposelyavoided dash ( both the en- and em- variety), the comma is used every day, allthe time, by everyone. But who’s actually using it correctly? Let’s stop guessing. Here is a list of when and how to use a comma (in no

particular order):

1. To separate complete sentences when they are joined together (for, and, nor,but, or, yet, so)

For their trip to London, Jo is responsible for planning the itinerary , andher sister is in charge of making hotel reservations.

Next week is my sister’s 16th birthday , so we’re planning somethingspecial.

G-DRAGON is Korean , but Gerard Way is American.

2. After introductory phrases but before the main clause

a. Words in introductory clauses that should be followed by a commainclude after, although, as, because, if, since, when, and while:

Although it was raining , Jo went out for a jog.

Because he always asks intelligent questions , Mike is the teacher’s pet.

If you want to get a good score on the paper , don’t procrastinate.

b. Introductory phrases such as participial and infinitive phrases,

nonessential appositive phrases, and long prepositional phrases should be followed by a comma:

To meet the popular singer, you should come to the concert three hoursearly.

Having eaten a hearty breakfast, the lumberjack went to work.

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6. To separate a city from its state

Jo currently lives in Los Angeles, California, with her dog.

Our entire family resides in the Denver, Colorado, area.

7. (Optional) Before Sr. or Jr. in a person’s name

Albert Hammond , Jr. is the guitarist of The Strokes. = Albert HammondJr. is the guitarist of The Strokes.

Although the comma before Jr. or Sr. is optional, if you to choose to use it,you must also use a comma afterward:

Albert Hammond Jr. has arrived. (Right)

Albert Hammond , Jr. , has arrived. (Right)

Albert Hammond , Jr. has arrived. (Wrong)

8. To set off nonessential elements of a sentence, i.e., not phrases those begin with“that” (restrictive clauses)

Do NOT use a comma before the “that” phrase:

The game that features Lionel Messi on its cover costs $59.

The book that I borrowed from the library is missing 30 pages.

Use a comma before the following nonessential elements (set off by commas):

Jo , an adventurous girl , is taking skydiving lessons.

My twin sister , who forgot to do her homework, had to stay after school tocomplete it.

Gerard Way , covering his eyes with his hands, sat in his favorite chair.

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9. To separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun

Coordinate adjectives have equal status in describing the noun. If this soundsconfusing, you can ask two questions to figure out if two adjectives in a row

are coordinate: Does the sentence work—and mean the same thing—if the adjectives are

written in reverse order?

Does the sentence work—and mean the same thing—if the adjectives arewritten with and between them?

If the answer is yes, then you’re dealing with coordinate adjectives. They

should be separated by a comma. My little brother is a loud , obnoxious child. (It works with “loud and

obnoxious,” so they’re coordinate adjectives.)

Jo often wears a blue wool sweater. (It doesn’t work with“blue and wool,” so they don’t need a comma.)

Your niece has a bright , happy smile. (It works with “bright and happy,”so they’re coordinate adjectives.)

10. Near the end of a sentence to indicate a pause, shift, or contrast

The protagonist was merely asleep , not dead.

The robot seemed compassionate , almost human.

You’ll be coming to the party tonight , right?

11. To separate the day of the month from the year

Don’t forget to also put a comma after the year!

We found a typo in the newspaper’s January 3 , 2014 , edition.

If you’re just writing the month and year, you don’t need a comma:

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Do you have the May 2013 issue of the magazine?

12. To introduce or interrupt direct quotations

He screamed , “I don’t care!”

“When ,” Jo asked , “will you fix my car?”

If it’s a one-word quotation, the comma is optional:

I said “Yes.”

We also use a comma if the quote is stated first; in this format, a comma isrequired even for one-word quotations:

“I don’t want to hear your excuse ,” he said.

“Stop ,” Jo said.

13. Before and after certain introductory words, such as “namely,” “that is,” “i.e.,”“e.g.,” and “for instance”

You will be told to bring numerous school supplies , e.g. , pencils, erasers,rulers, notebooks, and staples.

Jo loves K-pop groups , namely BIGBANG, 2NE1, Girls’ Generation, andSuper Junior.

14. Before “etc.”

In the refrigerator, you will find eggs, milk, cheese , etc.

If etc. appears in the middle of the sentence, it should be enclosed withcommas:

You will find eggs, milk, cheese , etc. , in the refrigerator.

This sentence will conclude, end, close , etc. , this article.