Punctuation, Part 1Basic Comma Applications

What WillWhat Will You Learn? You Learn?

To separate items in a SERIES with commas

To set off PARENTHETICAL words and phrases with commas

To use commas in DIRECT ADDRESS

To set off APPOSITIVES with commas

To set off parts of DATES with commas

To use commas with parts of ADDRESSES

To use commas with CONJUNCTIONS

To set off INTRODUCTORY phrases and clauses with commas

Comma, Series

Separate three or more equally ranked words, phrases, or short clauses with commas. Place a comma between each item and before the conjunction and, but, or nor.

words Please order stationery, envelopes, and laser printer paper.

phrases Ask the insurance agent to notify his client, obtain the necessary information, and process the papers before April 10.

short clauses

Mr. Harris wrote the report, I edited it, and Chris prepared the final copy.

Comma, Parenthetical

Set off with commas any words that are unnecessary for the grammatical completeness of the sentence and that interrupt its natural flow. A partial listing of these parenthetical expressions is given below and on the following slide.

accordingly

after all

also

as a matter of fact

as a result

in the meantime

in other words

indeed

nevertheless

no

Comma, ParentheticalComma, Parenthetical

as a ruleas a rule of courseof course

consequentlyconsequently on the contraryon the contrary

for examplefor example on the other handon the other hand

fortunatelyfortunately perhapsperhaps

furthermorefurthermore secondlysecondly

hencehence thereforetherefore

howeverhowever tootoo

in additionin addition under the circumstancesunder the circumstances

in factin fact without a doubtwithout a doubt

in the first placein the first place yesyes

Comma, Parenthetical

middle of a sentence

You may, however, wish to convert interest earnings to premiums for additional insurance coverage.

end of a sentence

You may apply for a grant, of course.

no interruption

Perhaps you would be able to share an office temporarily with one of our accountants.

beginning of a sentence

In the meantime, we will hold your order until we hear from you.

Comma, Direct Address

Set off with commas nouns used in direct address. Capitalize only proper nouns.

beginning of a sentence

Mr. Lee, will you be able to obtain additional copies of this report for our staff?

middle of a sentence

We are pleased, Dr. James, that you will be a guest speaker at our annual convention.

end of a sentence

I certainly agree with you, ladies and gentlemen.

Comma, Appositive

An appositive renames or explains the noun that appears directly before it. Set off with commas appositive expressions.

within a sentence We believe that our manager, John Goldman, will be promoted to vice president.

end of a sentence We feature Sinclair office furniture,the most popular line nationwide.

Comma,Comma,AppositiveAppositive

When appositive expressions are needed toWhen appositive expressions are needed to identifyidentify the nouns they rename or explain, omit the nouns they rename or explain, omit the commas. Also, omit the commas with one-the commas. Also, omit the commas with one-word appositives.word appositives.

indicates indicates which onewhich one

My student Lauren Scott was offered a My student Lauren Scott was offered a position with Field Enterprises.position with Field Enterprises.

one-word one-word appositiveappositive

When will your brother Erik be eligible When will your brother Erik be eligible for promotion? for promotion?

Comma,Comma,AppositiveAppositive

Another appositive form is a college degree Another appositive form is a college degree that follows directly after the name of an that follows directly after the name of an individual. Set off the degree in commas.individual. Set off the degree in commas.

degree degree abbreviatedabbreviated

Karen LawtonKaren Lawton, MD MD, is credited with is credited with having made the discovery.having made the discovery.

degree written degree written in fullin full

The invocation was delivered by The The invocation was delivered by The Reverend Donald L. ForbesReverend Donald L. Forbes, Doctor Doctor of Divinity.of Divinity.

Comma,Comma,AppositiveAppositive

Abbreviations after company or individual names are another form of appositives. Use commas to set off these abbreviations.

after name of individual

Please make your check payable to Brenda C. Ingram, CPA, to ensure payment credit for the preparation of your income tax return.

Refer the patient to Michael Bennett, MD.

after name of company

Club Travel, Ltd., made all the arrangements for our European tour.

Comma,Comma,AppositiveAppositive

Omit the commas with Jr., Sr., and Roman numerals in the names of individuals unless an individual chooses to use them. Omit the commas with Inc. or Ltd. when the companies themselves do not use them.

omission of commas

Please ask Robert L. Bailey Sr. to sign the contracts.

omission of comma

We sent the order directly to Majestic Linens Inc.

Comma, Dates

calendar date― no commas

After April 1 all plant tours will be discontinued.

Separate combinations of weekday, calendar date, and year with commas. No commas are used, however, with a calendar date expressed alone.

calendar date and year―commas

After April 1, 2012, all plant tours will be discontinued.

weekday and calendar date―commas

After Tuesday, April 1, all plant tours will be discontinued.

weekday, calendar date, year―commas

After Tuesday, April 1, 2012, all plant tours will be discontinued.

Comma, Dates

Expressions of month and year are written without commas.

without commas

In March 2012 our company will move its operations to Atlanta.

without commas

Digital Discoveries' annual sales had peaked to more than $90 million by December 2011.

Comma, Addresses

Use commas to set off a state name following the name of a city.

within a sentence

Will you visit the Portland, Oregon,

branch before you return to Chicago?

end of a sentence

All our dividend checks are issued from Dayton, Ohio.

Comma, Addresses

In the body of a document, spell out and separate with commas the parts of an address.

name and complete address

We sent the contract to John Morgan, Plant Manager, Winston Furniture Manufacturing Company, 1853 Fountain Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30314-1101.

complete address only

Mrs. Green's new address is 9653 Third Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43203-2034.

Comma,Comma,CoordinatingCoordinating Conjunction Conjunction

When two complete independent thoughts are joined When two complete independent thoughts are joined by a coordinating conjunction (by a coordinating conjunction (andand, , butbut, , oror, , nornor), ), place a comma before the conjunction.place a comma before the conjunction.

two independent two independent clauses joined by clauses joined by andand

Three members of our Research Three members of our Research Department have analyzed consumer Department have analyzed consumer demandsdemands, and they concluded there and they concluded there is no market for this product.is no market for this product.

two independent two independent clauses joined by clauses joined by butbut

Our plant tours have been discon-Our plant tours have been discon-tinuedtinued, but you may wish to show but you may wish to show your class our film on developing your class our film on developing and manufacturing robotic devices.and manufacturing robotic devices.

Comma,Comma,CoordinatingCoordinating Conjunction Conjunction

no second no second independent independent clauseclause―no ―no commacomma

Three members of our ResearchThree members of our Research Department have analyzed consumer Department have analyzed consumer demands and concluded there is no demands and concluded there is no market for this product. market for this product.

I believe that you will like the locationI believe that you will like the location and that the house will suit your needs and that the house will suit your needs perfectly. perfectly.

Comma, Introductory Phrases and ClausesComma, Introductory Phrases and Clauses

A sentence appearing in normal order follows a subject-verb-object pattern. However, when a sentence is inverted, it contains an introductory phrase or clause.

normal order

Ellen will take Mr. Smith's place for the next few months.

Dr. Hoffman left early because you canceled

your appointment. inverted order

For the next few months, Ellen will take Mr. Smith's place.

Because you canceled your appointment, Dr. Hoffman left early.

Comma, Introductory Phrases and ClausesComma, Introductory Phrases and Clauses

Place a comma after an introductory expression that contains any verb form OR four or more words.

verb form attend

If you attend the meeting, be sure to take notes for Mr. Todd.

verb formsee + ing

Seeing her chance for success, Ms. White accepted the assignment immediately.

verb form locate + ing

Upon locating the information, please forward it to our office.

Comma, Introductory Phrases and ClausesComma, Introductory Phrases and Clauses

verb form startle + d

Startled by the news, Mr. Kahn refused to make any prediction about future deliveries.

infinitiveto improve

To improve our computer system, we hired a team of consultants.

introductory with four or more words

At the last department meeting, two members were absent.

introductorywith fewer than four words

During this week we expect to submit formal bids on these three contracts.

In some cases an introductory expression may be preceded by a clause. Disregard this clause in determining whether or not to place a comma after the introductory expression.

verb form We believe that if Mr. Martin accepts the position, he will move to Dallas in September.

no verb form―four or more words

Ms. Rose explained that in view of the current situation, we will be forced to close operations in our Toledo plant.

no verb form―fewer than four words

He indicated that after next month he would be able to accept additional responsibilities.

Comma, Introductory Phrases and Clauses

Occasionally the verb form in a short introductory expression may be understood. Place a comma after such introductory expressions.

verb form understood

If (it is) necessary, call Mrs. Rollins for further instructions.

Although (it is) short, this report contains all the information we need.

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Comma, Introductory Phrases and Clauses