Commas -- Edit Your Writing for Clarity and Consistency

Are you ready to delve into the many (and sometimes complicated) uses of commas? With so many punctuation rules, how do you remember when to use a comma? Really, it is not as random as it seems. Remember: Clarity is key.

>Commas in a Series

Simple Series: Insert a comma before the last item in a series to avoid confusion.

At the circus, we ate hotdogs, popcorn, and cotton candy.

At the circus, we ate popcorn, hotdogs and chips, and sweet cotton candy.

Complex Series: When a series becomes lengthy, you may still use commas; however, if the listings become complex, a semicolon adds clarity.

We recalled all the caged animals at the fair, the acrobats clinging to their ropes, the ringmaster's cracking whip, and the shining, sequined costumes.

She couldn't sleep after the circus, her dreams filled with wild animals that paced their cages; acrobats, with shining costumes, winging through the air; the ringmaster's whip--how it snapped; and that silent pause before the leopard sprung.

>Commas and Conjunctions

When a conjunction--and, but, or, for, nor, so—combines two complete sentences, generally a comma is used before the conjunction.

It was thundering now, and his head kept turning to the wild call.

(Note: “It was thundering” is subject verb, and “his head kept turning” is subject verb.)

If the conjunction combines two clauses that are not independent of each other (they use the same initial subject), do not use a comma—you want them combined; they are not separate.

He listened to the thunder and turned to its wild call.

(Note: “he” is the subject for “listened” and for “turned.”)

Stylistic exceptions can be made when sentences are short and you want them to feel closely related.

It thunders and his head turns to the wild call.

>Commas and Clauses

Comma usage with clauses often depends on where the phrase falls in the sentence.

Introductory Clauses

An introductory clause generally takes a comma unless it is very short.

Long Phrase (Generally, five words or more requires a comma.)

As the moon cast its satin net over the water, we plunged in.

Short Phrase (A comma is not needed, unless omitting a comma lends confusion—note both samples.)

After midnight we finally plunged in the water.

After midnight, chimes rang out for our nightly swim.

Ending Clauses

A clause at the end of a sentence usually does not require a comma, unless it is introduced by words such as “although,” “whereas,” “however,” and, sometimes, “because.” Note the natural pause in your voice when you read the second two samples as opposed to the first two sample sentences.

No comma:

We plunged in as the moon cast its satin net over the water.

We plunged in the midnight water when the chimes rang out.

Comma:

We did not plunge in the water, although the chimes rang out midnight.

We sank deep in the midnight water, whereas the moon, like a net, tripped lightly.

Because there are always exceptions, here’s a look at the word “because.”

When the word “because” opens a sentence, follow its phrase with a comma. When it comes at the end, ask yourself how closely related the two phrases are. (Is one dependent on the other or somewhat independent?) And always follow the simple, two-tip advice: listen for pauses; listen for clarity.

Introductory Phrase:

Because the chimes rang out, we all plunged in the midnight water.

Ending Phrase:

We all plunged in the water because the chimes had rung out.

Ending Phrase:

We all plunged in the water, because who else would dare the cold?

>Commas in Inverted Sentences

A common error in comma usage occurs when the opening to an inverted sentence is mistaken for a clause.

With inverted sentences, where the subject (“the moon’s net,” in this case) follows the verb, do not use a comma. In other words, if a phrase precedes the verb, with no subject between, leave out the commas.

Wrong:

Over the midnight water, lay the moon’s satin net.

Correct:

Over the midnight water lay the moon’s satin net.

Viewing the same sentence without inversion, you would use a comma

Over the midnight water, the moon’s satin net lay wide.

>Commas with Internal Phrases

When including a phrase, a parenthetical aside, a direct address or name, or a transition mid-sentence, surround it with commas.

Oh, no, I will not say that this tale is about him.

I will never admit, no matter how he watches me as I write, that this story is about him.

Would you believe, therefore, that this story is about you?

A tale is only a tale, after all, whatever truth may hide in its words.

What I will tell you, dear Jake, is only what you’ll find in my tale.

A common error occurs when a writer inserts one comma (at the beginning or end of the phrase) and forgets the other.

Wrong: This latest tale for example, is all about you.

Correct: This latest tale, for example, is all about you.

Wrong: All of my stories, from twelve-year-old daydreams to middle-age loss are about you.

Correct: All of my stories, from twelve-year-old daydreams to middle-age loss, are about you.

If, however, the transitional phrase does not create a pause, doesn’t break the flow, you may omit the comma.

All my stories perhaps speak of you.

When in doubt, I’d leave the comma in—just be sure to include it on both sides of the phrase!

>Commas with Quotations and Parentheses

Commas and Quotation Marks

Three rules cover the most common mistakes.

Keep commas inside quotation marks whether it’s dialogue or a listing of quotations.

“But I want to stay,” I told him.

Our meeting of minds, he wrote, was “delicious,” “transfiguring,” and yet, “inconclusive.”

Our meeting of minds was “delicious” and “transfiguring” and “inconclusive.”

Separate the quoted material and who it’s attributed to with a comma.

Before closing the door, I whispered, “But I want to stay.”

”But I want to stay,” I whispered before closing the door.

“Will you ask me to stay?” I asked.

“I am staying!” I shouted.

When inserting a parenthetical phrase, follow the rules of comma usage. Usually the comma follows the parenthesis (unless a comma is not needed at all).

Because our meetings of minds was delicious (yet inconclusive), I wanted to stay.

Our meeting of minds (yes, dear, I wanted to stay!) was delicious.

>Commas with Essential and Nonessential Clauses

More to come on comma usage in the next few weeks. Please check back soon, and if I haven't answered your question or if I've left you more confused, please feel free to Contact Me. I have numerous sources available to answer nearly any copyediting problem.