Comma Usage

Direct Address Yes, that is the one. Bill, can you hand me the phone. Shh, I can’t hear through the wall.

Three or More in a List In the summer I enjoy hiking, biking, and camping. I have to pick up my friend, fill up my gas tank, and drive two hours to Asheville. Take a left at the bridge, drive more miles, and pull into the parking garage.

Multiple Adjectives Describing one Noun The beautiful, sullen woman stood at the door and yearned for more.

Introductory elements Prep Phrases: 2 is mandatory, 1 is optional unless there is confusion. Under the bridge beside the river, you can find the treasure. In the sea, otters swim happily. Adverbs for Transitions Actually, I did clean the kitchen.

Appositives and Interrupters Paul, the president of the club, brought the chips and salsa. The freshman, I think, are easily identifiable in the quad.

Introductory Clauses When you take the car to the mechanic, make sure you tell him Bob sent you. After the President delivered his speech, news analysts began dissecting it. Finishing his coffee, he paid his bill and left.

Join Independent Clauses with conjunction My fiancée enjoys drama, but I would rather watch the news. I’m going to order Chinese food, and Betty’s going to pick it up. Wrong: The conductor of the orchestra brought his baton and metronome but forgot his music.

Non-essential clauses (usually which not that; who can be either) The person who fell down the stairs had to go to the hospital. My brother, who fell down he stairs yesterday, owns three cars. The dog that bit me was taken to the pound. The dog, which barks constantly, is a Rottweiler. The guillotine, frequently used for execution in revolutionary France, consists of a sharp blade that descends on the victim’s head. The boyfriend frequently called by his girlfriend had turned off the phone and didn’t get the messages until two weeks later.