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 comma separates each item in a series of three or more, including the serial (Oxford) comma before the final and or or. Drop that last comma and a reader can mistake the final two items for one.

In a sentence

For the trip we packed tents , lanterns , and bug spray.

The recipe needs flour , two eggs , and a cup of sugar.

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

A comma comes before a coordinating conjunction (the FANBOYS words: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) when it joins two independent clauses. Each side of the conjunction could stand alone as its own sentence.

In a sentence

The bus was late , so we waited under the awning.

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

A comma sets off an introductory yes or no, a tag question at the end, and a direct address (the name of the person being spoken to) from the rest of the sentence.

In a sentence

No , I haven't seen it.

Marcus , your ride is here.

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

A comma follows an introductory element before the main clause. The element may be a single word (Yes), a phrase (After lunch), or a subordinate clause (Because it rained). The comma keeps the opener from running into the main clause.

In a sentence

After the long hike , we finally rested.

Because the bell rang , everyone lined up.

Now you try

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

Every comma does one job

All four comma jobs (series, join, set apart, introductory) are the same move: separating words and word groups so the reader can follow the sentence.

In a sentence

We packed maps , snacks , and water.

After lunch , we hit the trail.

Now you try

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