Punctuation Department · Today with The Mayor

Comma

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Comma

The Mayor teaches this column himself. Work through each capitalization job below, then take the quiz.

Separate the items in a series

A series is three or more items in a row. A comma goes after each item, and a comma comes before the final and or or. That last one is the serial, or Oxford, comma, and Grammaropolis always uses it.

In a sentence

For lunch I had a sandwich , an apple , and milk.

Now you try

Three or more items in a row, each split by a comma, with one before the and. You could try snacks, school supplies, or pets.

Put the comma before the coordinating conjunction

When two complete ideas are joined by a coordinating conjunction, a comma comes before that conjunction. The coordinating conjunctions are and, but, or, so, for, nor, and yet.

In a sentence

It was hot , so we went inside.

Now you try

Each side has to stand on its own. Like: I was tired, so I rested.

Set off the part you could lift out

In a friendly letter, a comma follows the name in the greeting (Dear Sam,) and follows the closing word (Sincerely,). The comma sets the salutation off from the message.

In a sentence

Dear Grandma , I miss you.

Love , Sam

Now you try

Drop in a who or which part: My bike, which is blue, is fast.

Set off the introduction before the main idea

When a sentence starts with an opener, a comma comes after the opener and before the main idea.

In a sentence

First , we wash our hands.

Now you try

Start with Yes, First, or an After ... phrase: After lunch, we played.

Every comma does one job

Series, joining, setting apart, and openers all do the same thing: a comma separates one part from another so the writing is clear.

In a sentence

Dear Sam , see you soon.

I read , and I wrote.

Now you try

Series, join, set apart, or introductory. Every one of them separates.