WHERE TO USE COMMAS

Unlike the hipster semicolon, the misunderstood colon, and the purposely
avoided dash (both the en- and em- variety), the comma is used every day, all
the time, by everyone. But whos actually using it correctly?
Lets 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, and
her sister is in charge of making hotel reservations.

Next week is my sisters 16th birthday, so were planning something

special.

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 comma

include 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 teachers pet.

If you want to get a good score on the paper, dont 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 hours
early.

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

After a tough day at work, Jo relaxed by taking a long bath.

c. Introductory words such as yes, however, and well should be followed
by a comma:

However, the computer didnt have enough memory to run the program.

Yes, I would like to take a nap.

Well, Goku and Krillin are just fictional characters.

3. To separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses expressed as a series

When Jo goes to the market, she always buys milk, eggs, and coffee.

My sister promised to clean the bathroom, take out the trash, and wash the
car.

The coach demanded that the star player be at practice on time, be a good
example to rookies, and be the face of the franchise.

4. To set off clauses, phrases and words in the middle of a sentence that are not
essential to the meaning (e.g., nevertheless, however, after all, by the way)

I am, by the way, unqualified for the position youre offering me.

The job, however, does pay well and come with exceptional benefits.

The company, after all, is renowned for the way it treats its employees.

5. To set the name, nickname, or title of a person to whom youre talking

Do you, Jo, take Mike to be your lawfully wedded husband?

Good night, Dad.

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 persons name

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

Jr. 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 to
complete it.

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

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

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

Does the sentence workand mean the same thingif the adjectives are
written in reverse order?

Does the sentence workand mean the same thingif the adjectives are
written with and between them?

If the answer is yes, then youre 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 theyre coordinate adjectives.)

Jo often wears a blue wool sweater. (It doesnt work with

blue and wool, so they dont need a comma.)

Your niece has a bright, happy smile. (It works with bright and happy,
so theyre 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.

Youll be coming to the party tonight, right?

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

Dont forget to also put a comma after the year!

We found a typo in the newspapers January 3, 2014, edition.

If youre just writing the month and year, you dont need a comma:

Do you have the May 2013 issue of the magazine?

12. To introduce or interrupt direct quotations

He screamed, I dont care!

When, Jo asked, will you fix my car?

If its 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 is
required even for one-word quotations:

I dont 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, and

Super 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 with

commas:

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

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