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I. The Five Most Common Comma Errors
A. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but,
or, so, nor, for, & yet) when the conjunction is joining two
independent clauses (complete sentences).
For example: "Bob decided to go to the movies"
is a sentence. "He didn't know what
film to see" is also a sentence. Logically, these sentences
could be joined with the conjunction "but."
When you join two sentences with a coordinating conjunction, place
a comma before the conjunction:
Bob decided to go to the
movies, but he didn't know what film to see.
NOTE: Conjunctions can also be used to join two things that are
not complete sentences; in these cases, no comma is needed:
Mary and Steve
are in the same math class.
I went bowling and
rolled a perfect game.
B. Use a comma after an introductory phrase or clause (group
of words).
Frequently, writers begin sentences with clauses or phrases before
the subject and verb are introduced. These introductions often provide
more information about where, when, why, or how the action of the
sentence happened. Place a comma after such an introductory
phrase or clause.
Examples: Because my left leg was in a
cast, I asked Maggie to drive the car.
When Roger heard his name announced at the graduation ceremony,
he sprang to his feet.
Underneath the Johnson's front porch, the three boys plotted
their scheme.
C. Surround transitional words and phrases with commas.
Transitional words and phrases should be surrounded with commas
regardless of where they occur in the sentence.
Examples: However, the Brewers lost
the World Series in seven games.
The Brewers, however, lost the World Series in seven games.
The Brewers lost the World Series in seven games, however.
The following are some common transitional words and phrases that
are almost always surrounded by commas: additionally, as a result,
furthermore, in addition, moreover, in the same way, likewise, similarly,
however, nevertheless, in contrast, first, second, third, finally,
meanwhile, for example, for instance, indeed, of course, on the
other hand, consequently, hence, therefore, thus.
NOTE: If you use a transition word to join
two sentences, you must use a semicolon before it and a comma after
it.
Example: Bob decided to go to the movies;
however, he didn't know what film to see.
D. Set off nonessential elements with
commas.
Sometimes a writer may supply extra information about a noun (person,
place, or thing) that is NOT essential to the sentence; in other
words, you would understand what person, place, or thing the writer
is referring to without the extra information. Set off such
extra information with commas.
Examples: Ernest Hemingway, author of
For Whom the Bell Tolls, took his own life in 1961.
My new jacket, which my mother gave me for my birthday last month,
came back from the cleaners with a large rip.
Mary is very happy with her new car, a Volkswagen Beetle.
In each of these cases, the sentence would retain its core meaning
even if the stuff set off by commas was removed.
NOTE: Clauses that start with the word "which"
are frequently (but not always) nonessential and should be surrounded
by commas. Clauses that start with the word "that"
are always essential clauses and should never be surrounded by commas.
Examples: The tree that I just planted
was run over by the lawnmower.
The small spruce tree, which I just planted, was run over
by the lawnmower.
E. Use commas to separate items in a list or series.
Examples: John, Mary, Bob, and Sue
are graduating this semester.
I drove to the beach, parked my car, and stared at the waves
for an hour.
NOTE: Although some experts say that using a comma before the "and"
at the end of a list is optional, most style books recommend using
one because it can help avoid confusion in some instances.
Always have a reason for every comma you use. It is also
a good idea to figure out which comma rule(s) you violate the most
and proofread carefully for it/them before turning in your essay.
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