Post date: Nov 18, 2015 5:18:41 PM
A General Comma Review
1. Put a comma before and, but, for, or, nor, yet, so (FANBOYS when they connect two independent clauses.
(comma needed)
Swanson argues that it is the responsibility of parents to control their children, but Adams feels it is the responsibility of society in general.
(no comma needed)
Swanson asserts parents should be directly responsible for their children and any harm they cause.
2. Put a comma between items in a series. Treat the elements of addresses or dates as parts of a series.
Voice mail, e-mail, and snail mail all produced the same lack of response.
She first arrived on April 9, 1984, in Tacoma, Washington, and remained for nine years.
3. Put a comma after an introductory elements such as modifiers, dependent clauses, or before an afterthought.
Introductory Modifiers: Running quickly, George found Lennie before the other guys did.
Introductory dependent clause:
Although it seems like it, the checkout line you are in is not really always the longest one.
Afterthought tacked on:
It's amazing how difficult it is to pin a cable repairman down to a specific time, isn't it?
4. Put commas around the name of a person spoken to.
I assume, Adrian, that you will attempt to better your previous efforts.
This is an incredible offer that you seriously ought to consider, Marlene.
5. Put commas around an interrupter, like however, moreover, finally, therefore, of course, by the way, on the other hand, I am sure, I think, etc.
Actually, my research indicated all previous researchers have been wrong about this.
It briefly crossed my mind, however, that I should recheck my data.
6. Put commas around interrupters, asides, editorial remarks, and modifications. Test to see if the material is one of these additions by reading the sentence without it. If the sentence still makes sense then it should be separated by commas.
Shannon Olson, who wrote that amazing paper on fiber optics, will be the keynote speaker.