A Comma Field Guide


Sometimes, I edit manuscripts that make me question all I have ever learned about punctuation, especially commas.  I devised this quick guide to commas to reinforce what we learned (or didn’t learn) in grammar school.



When to use a comma:


Addressing a person by name or nickname.

Example:

Hello, Sweetums.

Jane, do this.

Show us on the doll, John, where the commas have hurt you.


Linking two sentences with a conjunction (and, but, or, so).

Example:

This is sentence one, and this is sentence two.


Dependent clauses and words that act as clauses.

Example:

After this clause, you put a comma.

Second, a comma goes there.

Yes, these examples are on the snarky side.

I spent hours editing pages of comma issues, producing deep snarkiness.

Had the page not run red, due to my markings, I would have only experienced a mellow, not to mention short, snarky mood.


In a list of more than two of the same (nouns or verbs) and before the and or or (aka the Oxford Comma).

Example:

Paper, pen, and pencil revolted against keyboard, monitor, tablet, and laptop.


Between two or more adjectives describing the same noun.

Example:

The small, lonely, often misunderstood comma only separates that which should not be together.


In if-then statements.

Example:

If you start a sentence with that two letter word, then you must use a comma before the then.


In dialogue punctuation.

Example:

Tom asked, “Should I use a comma here?”

“Yes,” I replied.  “Always use a comma instead of a period at the end of the last sentence before a dialogue tag.  However, never use a comma when you should use a question mark or an exclamation point.”



Commas separate thoughts, clarifying a sentence for the reader.  Used right, they make your pages come alive.  Misused, all a reader will say is, “Huh?” and not read any more.

More online reading about commas:
Stack Exchange
Stack Exchange including semicolons
Grammar Book
Grammar Girl
Grammar Girl Comma Summary
Grammarly

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