A Comma Field Guide

Sometimes, I edit manuscripts that make me question all I have ever learned about punctuation, especially commas.  I devised this quick guide to commas to reinforce what we learned (or didn’t learn) in grammar school.


When to use a comma:

Addressing a person by name or nickname.

Example:
Hello, Sweetums.
Jane, do this.
Show us on the doll, John, where the commas have hurt you.

Linking two sentences with a conjunction (and, but, or, so).

Example:
This is sentence one, and this is sentence two.

Dependent clauses and words that act as clauses.

Example:
After this clause, you put a comma.
Second, a comma goes there.
Yes, these examples are on the snarky side.
I spent hours editing pages of comma issues, producing deep snarkiness.
Had the page not run red, due to my markings, I would have only experienced a mellow, not to mention short, snarky mood.

In a list of more than two of the same (nouns or verbs) and before the and or or (aka the Oxford Comma).
Example:
Paper, pen, and pencil revolted against keyboard, monitor, tablet, and laptop.

Between two or more adjectives describing the same noun.
Example:
The small, lonely, often misunderstood comma only separates that which should not be together.

In if-then statements.
Example:
If you start a sentence with that two letter word, then you must use a comma before the then.

In dialogue punctuation.
Example:
Tom asked, “Should I use a comma here?”
“Yes,” I replied.  “Always use a comma instead of a period at the end of the last sentence before a dialogue tag.  However, never use a comma when you should use a question mark or an exclamation point.”


Commas separate thoughts, clarifying a sentence for the reader.  Used right, they make your pages come alive.  Misused, all a reader will say is, “Huh?” and not read any more.
More online reading about commas:Stack ExchangeStack Exchange including semicolonsGrammar BookGrammar GirlGrammar Girl Comma SummaryGrammarly