How To Use Commas Essay, Research Paper

How To Use Commas

Many writers think it is a good idea to sprinkle commas every few places in

there writing, but this makes for difficult reading.

Here are some places commas should not be used:

* After and, but, and or, unless the comma sets off a dependent clause (a phrase

which can’t stand alone as a sentence).

Examples:

Wrong- But, she did get it done on time.

Right- But, to be fair, she did get it done on time.

* Between a month and year in a date: NOT November, 1990, The comma stops two

sets of numerals from running into one another. WRIGHT November 20, 1990.

* Some style guides call for omitting the comma after very short dependent

clauses at the beginning of a sentence: NOT ?On Saturday, the office is closed.?

WRIGHT ?On Saturday the office is closed.? But do use a comma after long

dependent causes: ?Because the entire epic is concerned with justifying the ways

of God to man, Milton must present free will in a positive light.?

* Commas are preferred before the last item in a list: leaving them out, as in ?

the first, second and third chapters,? is a habit picked up from journalism.

Though it saves a little space and effort, omitting the final comma suggests the

second and third chapters are some sort of special pair.