Identifying Significant Errors in Punctuation and Capitalization

Rules for Using Commas

Use a comma in the following situations:

• Between independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so)

  Example: We wanted to see the show, but we didn’t get there on time.

• Between introductory elements and the rest of the sentence

  Example: After I graduate from college, I plan to go to graduate school.

• Between items in a series

  Example: A good teacher is well organized, knowledgeable, and interested in students.

• To set off explanatory or parenthetical parts of a sentence

  Example: The meeting, for your information, will begin at 9:00 a.m.

• Between addresses and dates and the rest of the sentence

  Example: He vacationed at the White Pine Hotel, 98 Ashland Street, Radford, Virginia, in May, 1987.

• To separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence

  Example: “Call the police,” she screamed, “and tell them to come quickly!”

• Between contrasting parts of a sentence

  Example: It was John, not Harry, who paid for our dinner.

• Between nonrestrictive words, phrases, and clauses and the rest of the sentence.

  Example: She is as tall as, though two years younger than, her brother.