![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/grammarbasics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2151\/2025\/05\/Dinnergrandpa-300x200.jpg\")
Grandpa is being invited to dine with his family. How nice![\/caption]\r\n\r\nCommas can even cost you money (okay, probably not\u00a0you<\/em>, but they have cost at least one business millions of dollars<\/a>).\r\n\r\nThere are a lot of rules about commas, and they can be intimidating. But I want you to be confident in your commas, so let's start by employing our own experience as readers and speakers to decide where commas go.\r\nYou Know More Than You Think<\/h3>\r\nFirst, we encounter commas all the time as readers, and all that experience has given us a pretty good idea where they go. So if you just go on instinct alone, you'll probably be mostly accurate.\r\n\r\nSecond, we know what sentences sound like. Since a comma is usually matched with a pause, then we can read sentences out loud and place commas where the pauses are.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nPRACTICE: Use Your Reader's Ear<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n
\r\n\r\nCopy and paste the text below into a Word document (or equivalent) and then read it out loud, placing commas in the spots where you feel\/hear a natural pause. Once you've done that, check your answers with the answer key below.\u00a0If you placed most of the commas in the same spot,\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>then you can be fairly confident in your intuitive understanding of where commas go.\r\nTigers with their majestic presence and powerful physique are among the most captivating creatures on Earth. These apex predators boast distinctive orange fur adorned with black stripes that serve as unique fingerprints ensuring that no two tigers are alike. Renowned for their stealth and agility tigers possess remarkable hunting prowess silently stalking their prey before unleashing a lightning-fast ambush. Despite their fearsome reputation tigers are also solitary creatures preferring to roam vast territories in search of food and mates. Sadly these magnificent animals face numerous threats including habitat loss and poaching placing them at risk of extinction. Conservation efforts are crucial to safeguarding the future of these iconic big cats.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n[h5p id=\"20\"]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\nI hope at this point that you've developed some confidence in your natural understanding of commas, but the best way to be confident in their use is to develop your understanding of a few basic comma rules.\r\nAnd Now, Some Rules<\/h3>\r\nBelow I'm going to share five basic comma rules. There are plenty more out there, but these are the ones most important for the work we're doing in this class.\r\nRule 1: Lists<\/h5>\r\nThis rule is pretty simple: add commas between [pb_glossary id=\"627\"]items[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> in a list when there are three or more items.\r\n\r\n \r\nOn the way to school I saw a mouse, a cat, and a raccoon.<\/em><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\nThere are three items in the list (mouse, cat, raccoon), so I make sure to place a comma between each.\r\n\r\n \r\nThe comma between the last two items in a list is called a serial comma<\/strong>. People debate on the value of that comma -- it's optional. I encourage writers to use the serial comma because I think it helps clarify lists.<\/div>\r\n \r\nOn the way to school I saw a mouse and a cat.<\/em><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\nIn this sentence, there are only two items in the list (mouse, cat) so I shouldn't use any commas.\r\n\r\n \r\nRule 2: Coordinating Conjunctions<\/h5>\r\nUse a comma before<\/span> a coordinating conjunction<\/strong> (aka, a FANBOYS word) when the conjunction is being used to connect two independent clauses<\/strong>.\r\n\r\n \r\nThe turkey ran across the road, and I was the only one who saw it.<\/em><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\nHere I'm using the coordinating conjunction and<\/em> to connect two independent clauses. I place a comma before the conjunction to show that I'm using it for this special purpose.\r\n\r\n \r\nI enjoyed the film but hated the popcorn you made.<\/em><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\nHere I've used a coordinating conjunction but<\/em>. However, I'm not using it to connect two independent clauses; instead, I'm using it to connect two phrases (enjoyed the film, hated the popcorn<\/em>). Because I'm not using the conjunction to connect independent clauses, I should not<\/span> add a comma.\r\n\r\n \r\nRule 3: Introductory Material<\/h5>\r\nPlace a comma after introductory words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence. These parts of a sentence set up the main idea, but they're not part of the main idea. Let's see some examples:\r\n\r\n \r\n
However<\/span>, I did not steal your pen.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- introductory word<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
At night<\/span>, raccoons search for food.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- introductory phrase<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
Because you didn't pay your fees<\/span>, we have cancelled your membership.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- introductory dependent clause<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n \r\n\r\nThe challenge with this rule is determining where the introductory information ends. Notice, though, that in each of the sentences above, the subject<\/strong> appears right after the comma. So, you can often place your comma correctly by finding the subject and placing the comma in front<\/span> of it.\r\n\r\n \r\n
Rule 4: Interrupters and Appositives<\/h5>\r\nSometimes, as a writer, you'll feel the need to add some additional, but not vital, information in the middle of a sentence. In fact, I just did that twice in the last sentence. We'll call those bits of extra information interrupters<\/em> (they are also known as parenthetical statements<\/em>). W<\/em>hen you add interrupters to a sentence, you should surround them with commas -- like this:\r\n\r\n \r\nThe kids' teacher, a person very close to retirement, was often impatient with them.<\/em><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\nThese commas are a more formal alternative to parentheses (curved brackets) or dashes, which could also be placed in the same spot in more casual contexts like workplace communication.\r\nThe kids' teacher (a person very close to retirement) was often impatient with them.<\/em><\/p>\r\nThe kids' teacher -- a person very close to retirement -- was often impatient with them.<\/em><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\nIn all of these cases, the punctuation indicates that the part that has been surrounded is not part of the main idea of the sentence -- it's extra.\r\n\r\n \r\nAppositives<\/header>\r\nOne special kind of interrupter is the appositive, which is a word (noun) or phrase that re-acknowledges or describes another noun in the sentence. You might place an appositive in a sentence to help readers understand a name, for example. The sentence below includes an appositive.<\/div>\r\nWayne Gretzky, the greatest hockey player of all time, scored 2,857 points during his career.<\/em><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nThe phrase \"the greatest hockey player of all time\" describes the noun \"Wayne Gretzky\" to ensure readers have context to understand the full sentence. It's not essential information, though, so we surround it with commas.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\nRule 5: Non-Essential Clauses<\/h5>\r\nMost of the time, when you want to describe something you use a word or a phrase. But sometimes the best way to describe something within a sentence is to use a clause<\/strong>, like I've done here:\r\nThe SUV that I bought last week<\/span> already had a flat tire.<\/em><\/p>\r\nMy new SUV, which I bought last week<\/span>, already had a flat tire.<\/em><\/p>\r\nThose underlined clauses (called relative clauses<\/strong>) provide more information about the SUV I mentioned at the beginning of the sentence. Notice, though, that in one sentence the clause is surrounded by commas, just like we did in Rule 4, but the other sentence doesn't use commas at all. So how do you decide whether to add commas?\r\n\r\nTo decide whether to add commas, we need to determine whether the clause is essential<\/em>. By essential I mean that it needs to be there; without it, readers won't be able to identify which specific SUV I'm talking about. Let's examine the sentences again:\r\n\r\n \r\nThe SUV that I bought last week<\/span> already had a flat tire.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- The clause in this sentence is necessary because it confirms that I'm talking about a specific SUV -- mine, the one I bought recently.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Because the information is essential, we don't put any commas around it.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n \r\n
My new SUV, which I bought last week<\/span>, already had a flat tire.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- \r\n
\r\n \t- The clause here doesn't help us identify which SUV I'm talking about; I already provided that information by using the words \"My new.\"<\/em><\/li>\r\n \t
- Because the underlined information is non-essential, we put commas around it. We basically treat it like an interrupter.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n \r\n
\r\nExercises<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n
\r\n\r\nCopy these sentences into a new document and add commas where they are required based on the rules above. When you're finished, check your answer with the Answer Key below.\r\n\r\n \t- The cowboy whose weathered face bore the marks of many adventures rode into town on his horse.<\/li>\r\n \t
- With a weathered map in hand the cowboy set out on a quest to find the lost treasure buried deep in the desert.<\/li>\r\n \t
- The cowboy rode into town with his trusty horse and worn-out hat.<\/li>\r\n \t
- The cowboy who won the rodeo last year is known for his exceptional riding skills.<\/li>\r\n \t
- At the rodeo the cowboy showcased his skills in roping riding broncos bull-riding and steer wrestling.<\/li>\r\n \t
- As the sun set on the horizon the weary cowboy gathered grass twigs and branches for his campfire.<\/li>\r\n \t
- The saloon echoed with laughter as the cowboy his spurs jangling with each step swaggered through the swinging doors.<\/li>\r\n \t
- If the cowboy didn't draw his gun first he was going to be shot right there in the street.<\/li>\r\n \t
- The old ways of the Wild West were changing because the population was growing.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Cowboys who work on cattle ranches often face long days and challenging weather conditions.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n[h5p id=\"21\"]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n ","rendered":"
I’ll admit it right at the start of this chapter: I love commas. I think they’re great, and I use them more often than other people because I find them helpful as a reader. Commas help readers navigate sentences by separating and organizing various parts of a sentence visually. Commas can also determine and change the meaning of the words around them, so it’s important to know how to use them properly.<\/p>\n
Commas change this<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Let’s eat grandpa!”<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/grammarbasics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2151\/2025\/05\/Scaredgrandpa-300x200.jpg\")
Grandpa is about to be eaten by his family. How awful!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
to this:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Let’s eat, grandpa!”<\/span><\/p>\nGrandpa is being invited to dine with his family. How nice!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
PRACTICE: Use Your Reader's Ear<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n
Tigers with their majestic presence and powerful physique are among the most captivating creatures on Earth. These apex predators boast distinctive orange fur adorned with black stripes that serve as unique fingerprints ensuring that no two tigers are alike. Renowned for their stealth and agility tigers possess remarkable hunting prowess silently stalking their prey before unleashing a lightning-fast ambush. Despite their fearsome reputation tigers are also solitary creatures preferring to roam vast territories in search of food and mates. Sadly these magnificent animals face numerous threats including habitat loss and poaching placing them at risk of extinction. Conservation efforts are crucial to safeguarding the future of these iconic big cats.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n On the way to school I saw a mouse, a cat, and a raccoon.<\/em><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\nThere are three items in the list (mouse, cat, raccoon), so I make sure to place a comma between each.\r\n\r\n \r\n On the way to school I saw a mouse and a cat.<\/em><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\nIn this sentence, there are only two items in the list (mouse, cat) so I shouldn't use any commas.\r\n\r\n \r\n The turkey ran across the road, and I was the only one who saw it.<\/em><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\nHere I'm using the coordinating conjunction and<\/em> to connect two independent clauses. I place a comma before the conjunction to show that I'm using it for this special purpose.\r\n\r\n \r\n I enjoyed the film but hated the popcorn you made.<\/em><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\nHere I've used a coordinating conjunction but<\/em>. However, I'm not using it to connect two independent clauses; instead, I'm using it to connect two phrases (enjoyed the film, hated the popcorn<\/em>). Because I'm not using the conjunction to connect independent clauses, I should not<\/span> add a comma.\r\n\r\n \r\n However<\/span>, I did not steal your pen.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n At night<\/span>, raccoons search for food.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n Because you didn't pay your fees<\/span>, we have cancelled your membership.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n The kids' teacher, a person very close to retirement, was often impatient with them.<\/em><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\nThese commas are a more formal alternative to parentheses (curved brackets) or dashes, which could also be placed in the same spot in more casual contexts like workplace communication.\r\n The kids' teacher (a person very close to retirement) was often impatient with them.<\/em><\/p>\r\n The kids' teacher -- a person very close to retirement -- was often impatient with them.<\/em><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\nIn all of these cases, the punctuation indicates that the part that has been surrounded is not part of the main idea of the sentence -- it's extra.\r\n\r\n \r\n The SUV that I bought last week<\/span> already had a flat tire.<\/em><\/p>\r\n My new SUV, which I bought last week<\/span>, already had a flat tire.<\/em><\/p>\r\nThose underlined clauses (called relative clauses<\/strong>) provide more information about the SUV I mentioned at the beginning of the sentence. Notice, though, that in one sentence the clause is surrounded by commas, just like we did in Rule 4, but the other sentence doesn't use commas at all. So how do you decide whether to add commas?\r\n\r\nTo decide whether to add commas, we need to determine whether the clause is essential<\/em>. By essential I mean that it needs to be there; without it, readers won't be able to identify which specific SUV I'm talking about. Let's examine the sentences again:\r\n\r\n \r\n The SUV that I bought last week<\/span> already had a flat tire.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n My new SUV, which I bought last week<\/span>, already had a flat tire.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n Exercises<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n I’ll admit it right at the start of this chapter: I love commas. I think they’re great, and I use them more often than other people because I find them helpful as a reader. Commas help readers navigate sentences by separating and organizing various parts of a sentence visually. Commas can also determine and change the meaning of the words around them, so it’s important to know how to use them properly.<\/p>\n Commas change this<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Let’s eat grandpa!”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n to this:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Let’s eat, grandpa!”<\/span><\/p>\nAnd Now, Some Rules<\/h3>\r\nBelow I'm going to share five basic comma rules. There are plenty more out there, but these are the ones most important for the work we're doing in this class.\r\n
Rule 1: Lists<\/h5>\r\nThis rule is pretty simple: add commas between [pb_glossary id=\"627\"]items[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> in a list when there are three or more items.\r\n\r\n \r\n
Rule 2: Coordinating Conjunctions<\/h5>\r\nUse a comma before<\/span> a coordinating conjunction<\/strong> (aka, a FANBOYS word) when the conjunction is being used to connect two independent clauses<\/strong>.\r\n\r\n \r\n
Rule 3: Introductory Material<\/h5>\r\nPlace a comma after introductory words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence. These parts of a sentence set up the main idea, but they're not part of the main idea. Let's see some examples:\r\n\r\n \r\n
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
Rule 4: Interrupters and Appositives<\/h5>\r\nSometimes, as a writer, you'll feel the need to add some additional, but not vital, information in the middle of a sentence. In fact, I just did that twice in the last sentence. We'll call those bits of extra information interrupters<\/em> (they are also known as parenthetical statements<\/em>). W<\/em>hen you add interrupters to a sentence, you should surround them with commas -- like this:\r\n\r\n \r\n
Rule 5: Non-Essential Clauses<\/h5>\r\nMost of the time, when you want to describe something you use a word or a phrase. But sometimes the best way to describe something within a sentence is to use a clause<\/strong>, like I've done here:\r\n
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t
\r\n \t