Commas: Uses and Examples

• An English comma is a punctuation mark (,) that signals a slight pause or break in a sentence

Uses of Commas:

• To separate items in a list
• To join independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction
• After introductory elements
• To set off nonessential information
• To set off parenthetical elements
• To set off quoted elements
• In dates, addresses, and titles
• To prevent misreading

Commas in Lists:

• Use a comma to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series
• "I need to buy milk, eggs, and bread"
• The final comma in a list is known as the Oxford comma or serial comma, and its use depends on style guidelines (AP, MLA, Chicago, etc.) and personal preference

Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions:

• Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when it joins two independent clauses.
• "I wanted to go to the park, but it started raining."
• If the clauses are short and closely related, the comma may be omitted

Commas After Introductory Elements:

• Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clause
• "However, I disagree with your assessment"
• "After the movie, we went out for dinner"
• "Because it was raining, I took an umbrella"

Commas with Nonessential Information:

• Use commas to set off nonessential (nonrestrictive) information
• Nonessential information adds extra detail but is not crucial to the sentence's meaning
• "My brother, who lives in Chicago, is a doctor"
• If the information is essential to the sentence's meaning (restrictive), do not use commas

Commas with Parenthetical Elements:

• Use commas to set off parenthetical elements such as interjections, transitional words, and other interruptions
• "This is, I believe, the correct answer"
• "Therefore, we must take action"

Commas with Quoted Elements:

• Use a comma to introduce or separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence
• "She said, 'I'm going to the store'"
• "According to the report, 'Sales have increased significantly'"

Commas in Dates, Addresses, and Titles:

• In dates, use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year
• "July 4, 1776, was an important day in American history"
• In addresses, use a comma to separate the street address from the city and the city from the state
• "He lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C."
• Use commas to set off titles or degrees following a name

Commas to Prevent Misreading:

• Use a comma to prevent misreading or ambiguity
• "To err is human; to forgive, divine"

Common Comma Mistakes:

• Incorrect use of commas can lead to confusion or alter the intended meaning of a sentence
• Avoid using a comma between the subject and verb
• Avoid using a comma between two words or phrases that should be directly connected
• Omitting necessary commas can result in run-on sentences

Nouns:

• A noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea
• Nouns are the basic building blocks of sentences, providing the subjects and objects of verbs, as well as specifying locations, times, and concepts
• Nouns can be classified into various categories, each with distinct characteristics and functions

Types of Nouns:

• Common Nouns: General names for people, places, things, or ideas, not capitalized unless they begin a sentence
• Proper Nouns: Specific names for people, places, or things, always capitalized
• Concrete Nouns: Refer to tangible things that can be experienced through the senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell)
• Abstract Nouns: Refer to intangible concepts, ideas, emotions, or qualities that cannot be perceived through the senses
• Countable Nouns: Nouns that can be counted and have a plural form
• Uncountable Nouns (Mass Nouns): Nouns that cannot be counted and typically do not have a plural form
• Collective Nouns: Refer to a group of people or things as a single unit
• Compound Nouns: Made up of two or more words that function as a single noun

Functions of Nouns:

• Subject: The noun that performs the action of the verb in a sentence
• Object: Direct Object – The noun that receives the action of the verb
• Object: Indirect Object – The noun that indirectly receives the action of the verb; it comes before the direct object and after the verb
• Complement: Subject Complement – A noun that follows a linking verb (e.g., is, are, was, were) and renames or describes the subject
• Complement: Object Complement – A noun that follows a direct object and renames or describes it
• Appositive: A noun that renames or provides additional information about another noun
• Noun as Adjective: Nouns can sometimes function as adjectives, modifying other nouns

Noun Phrases:

• A noun phrase consists of a noun and any related modifiers, articles, and determiners
• "The old house"
• "A beautiful garden"
• "His incredible talent"

Pluralization of Nouns:

• Regular Nouns: Most nouns form their plural by adding -s to the singular form
• Nouns Ending in -s, -x, -ch, -sh: Add -es to form the plural
• Nouns Ending in -y: If the -y is preceded by a consonant, change the -y to -i and add -es
• Nouns Ending in -f or -fe: Some nouns change the -f or -fe to -v and add -es
• Irregular Nouns: Some nouns have irregular plural forms that do not follow standard rules
• Foreign Plurals: Some nouns retain their foreign plural forms

Verbs:

• A verb is a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being
• Verbs are essential components of sentences, providing information about what the subject is doing or experiencing
• Verbs can be classified based on their function and properties, including action verbs, linking verbs, and auxiliary verbs

Types of Verbs:

• Action Verbs: Express physical or mental actions performed by the subject
• Linking Verbs: Connect the subject to a noun or adjective that describes or renames the subject
• Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs): Combine with main verbs to form verb phrases and indicate tense, mood, voice, or aspect; includes forms of "be," "have," and "do," as well as modal verbs
• Modal Verbs: Express necessity, possibility, permission, or ability
• Transitive Verbs: Require a direct object to complete their meaning; the action "passes over" from the subject to the object
• Intransitive Verbs: Do not require a direct object to complete their meaning; the action does not "pass over" to an object
• Regular Verbs: Form their past tense and past participle by adding -ed to the base form
• Irregular Verbs: Have past tense and past participle forms that do not follow the -ed rule; they often have unique and unpredictable forms

Verb Tense:

• Verbs indicate when an action takes place through different tenses such as present, past and future
• Present Tense: Describes actions, events, or states that are happening now or are generally true
• Past Tense: Describes actions, events, or states that happened in the past
• Future Tense: Describes actions, events, or states that will happen in the future

Verb Voice:

• Verbs can be in the active or passive voice, indicating whether the subject performs the action or receives the action
• Active Voice: The subject performs the action
• Passive Voice: The subject receives the action

Verb Mood:

• Verbs can express different moods depending on the intent of the speaker or writer
• Indicative Mood: Expresses statements of fact or opinion
• Imperative Mood: Expresses commands or requests; the subject is usually implied (you)
• Subjunctive Mood: Expresses wishes, possibilities, doubts, or hypothetical situations

Verb Agreement:

• Verbs must agree in number and person with their subjects
• Singular Subject: Singular verbs are used with singular subjects
• Plural Subject: Plural verbs are used with plural subjects
• Compound Subject: When subjects are joined by "and," use a plural verb
• Collective Nouns: Collective nouns can be singular or plural, depending on whether they refer to the group as a unit or individual members

Learn about the proper usage of commas in English writing. This lesson covers the rules for using commas in lists, with coordinating conjunctions, after introductory elements, and more. Master comma placement to improve clarity and precision in your writing.