The elusive comma

Where should the comma go? Boring topic - essential to clear writing! The comma is a valuable tool in a sentence because it helps the reader pause in the right places. But figuring out how to use commas correctly in English isn't always easy, especially if your native language (such as Danish) follows a different set of rules. Here are a few simple guidelines to help you sort this out.

The SIX comma rules to govern your universe
While there are many specific uses, almost all of the commas used in written English fall under these six situations. So if you know these basic rules, you'll be able to use commas appropriately over 95 percent of the time.


Rule 1: Use a comma after introductory words, phrases or clauses.

Examples:
As a child, Gerry had dreamed of being a professional hockey player.
Running late for a meeting, Jonathan drove over his laptop.
However, David thinks people who write well are not easy to find.

CLUE:
- Common starter words for clauses: after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while
- Common starters for phrases: verb + ing, to + verb, long prepositional phrase
- Common introductory words: yes, no, however, well


Rule 2: Use commas to set off elements that interrupt or add information.

(Called parenthetical phrases or clauses because they are not essential to the meaning of the sentence and could be dropped or put in parentheses.)

Examples:
David, the company director, enjoys playing rugby.
The project manager, who comes from Dublin, is an excellent seamstress.
My all-time favorite ice cream, with its luscious caramel, is praline pecan.

CLUE:
Some clauses ARE essential and therefore don't use commas.  For example:
- All writers who are on the green team report to the conference room.
- The book that I borrowed from you is excellent.


Rule 3: Use a comma to separate two independent clauses (complete thoughts) when they are joined by these transition words: and, for, nor, or, so, yet, but.

Examples:
Andrew only received the text yesterday, but he completed the translation this morning.
We wanted to move to New York, yet the idea of living in Copenhagen was also appealing.
Amber promises to leave work early, and she ponders long and hard how to do so.

CLUE:
Don't put a comma between 2 verbs. For example:
Nisha turned the corner and ran smack into Clint Eastwood.


Rule 4: Use a comma to set off direct quotations.

Examples:
Jonathan says, "It's not often that someone comes along who knows how to use a comma."
"I was able," she answered, "to meet the deadline."
"Thanks for the feedback," replied Ray.


Rule 5: Use a comma to separate items in a series.

Examples:
Services include sparring, editing, copywriting and translating.
Go up two flights of stairs, turn left, walk to the end, turn right and you'll be there.
Dina formatted the document, corrected the grammar and rewrote the title.

CLUE #1:
A comma before the 'and' is optional. For example:
- The new offices are larger, brighter, newer, and warmer.
OR
- The new offices are larger, brighter, newer and warmer.

CLUE #2 (The little old lady rule):
If you can put an 'and' or a 'but' between two adjectives, a comma will probably belong there. If you can't, then you don't need one.

For example, you could say:
He is a tall and distinguished fellow.

So you would write:
He is a tall, distinguished fellow.
 But you would probably NOT say:
She is a little and old lady.

So you would write:
She is a little old lady.


Rule 6: Use a comma to avoid confusion.

Examples:
For most, the year is already finished.
To Jonathan, David had been a sort of idol.
Amber waved enthusiastically at Matt, laughing loudly in the process.


WordNerds
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