Commas Cheat Sheet
Knowing when to use a comma other than to mark a pause
Sometimes writers believe comma placement is determined by where a natural pause occurs. Unfortunately, what feels natural for one reader may be different for another. For example, an often shared paragraph can be interpreted in two ways depending upon comma placement.
Dear John:
I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I can be forever happy–will you let me be yours?
Jane
OR
Dear John,
I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be?
Yours, Jane
When I started to learn proper comma usage, texts provided contradictory information, and there existed an exception to every rule.
In the end, I composed my own cheat sheet that provides direction in paragraphs, through lists, and around appositives.
Rule 1: Use a comma before the conjunction (and, or, but) that joins two complete sentences
Note: The two sentences must be independent which means they have to make sense when they stand alone. Two independent sentences combined to create a compound sentence.
Examine the non-example. The first phrase is independent; it is a complete sentence because it makes sense. The second phrase is dependent because it is unclear unless connected to the sentence before it. A comma should not be used when the two parts are combined.
Non-Examples:
The fire alarm rang. And announced the drill.
The fire alarm rang and announced the drill.
Examples:
The fire alarm rang. It was a fire drill.
The fire alarm rang, but it was a fire drill.
Rule 2: Use commas to separate nouns of direct address
Note: A noun of direct address names the noun (person) to whom the speaker is speaking.
Examples:
Come in, Steve, and close the door.
Steve, come in and close the door.
Come in and close the door, Steve.
Rule 3: Use commas to separate an appositive
Note: Appositive are words placed immediately after other words that carry the same meaning and add clarity.
Example:
Mrs. Gross is in Florida.
Mrs. Gross, my aunt, is in Florida.
Rule 4: Use commas to set off words that interrupt the sentence
Example:
The fabric is pre-shrunk.
This fabric, on the other hand, is pre-shrunk.
Rule 5: Use commas to separate introductory words or phrases from the base sentence
Examples:
Bill sat through the horror film.
Closing his eyes, Bill sat through the horror film.
Yes, Bill sat through the horror film.
Rule 6: Use commas after every item in a list except the last
Note: Follow this rule with nouns and verbs.
Examples:
Sam, Susan, Steve and Scott went home. (nouns)
The dog barked, jumped and rolled over. (verbs)
Rule 7: Use commas to separate two or more adjectives that describe a noun
Note: Adjectives are descriptive words.
Example:
The bright, yellow sun illuminated the sky.
Rule 8: Use commas to separate a quote from the tag line
Note: A quote states exactly what the speaker said. A tag line explains the quote.
Examples:
“The mayor,” stated Peter, “has brown hair.”
Peter stated, “The Mayor has brown hair.”
“The Mayor has brown hair,” stated Peter.
Rule 9: Use commas in dates, addresses, and numbers
Examples:
Friday, October 13, 1977
1334 Maple Road, William, New York 14221
12,000
These rules provide a simple list to save and reference when you are unsure about comma placement.