The document provides guidance on using commas in sentences. It discusses using commas to separate elements in a list, to connect two independent clauses with a FANBOYS conjunction, to set off introductory material, to set off parenthetical information, to separate coordinate adjectives, and to avoid potential confusion. Examples are provided to illustrate proper comma usage in different contexts.

1. Understanding & Using Commas

2. Understanding
& Using Commas
Summary of Comma Use Rules
● Use a comma to separate elements in a list
● Use a comma+FANBOYS to connect
two independent clauses
● Use a comma to set off introductory material
● Use commas to set off parenthetical information
● Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives
● Use commas to set off quoted material
● Use commas to set off contrasting phrases
● Use commas to avoid potential confusion

3. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to separate elements in
a series or list.

4. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to separate elements in
a series or list.
List of things
that happened:
He hit the ball.
He dropped the bat.
He ran to first base.

5. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to separate elements in
a series or list.
List of things He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and
that happened: ran to first base.
He hit the ball.
He dropped the bat.
He ran to first base.

6. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to separate elements in
a series or list.
List of things He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and
that happened: ran to first base.
He hit the ball.
He dropped the bat.
He ran to first base.

7. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to separate elements in
a series or list.
comma comma
List of things He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and
that happened: ran to first base.
He hit the ball.
He dropped the bat.
He ran to first base. The controversial “Oxford”
or “Serial” comma
I say: Use it!
Others say: Don’t!

8. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to separate elements in
a series or list.
comma comma
List of things He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and
that happened: ran to first base.
He hit the ball.
He dropped the bat.
He ran to first base.

9. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to separate elements in
a series or list.
List of things He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and
that happened: ran to first base.
He hit the ball.
He dropped the bat.
He ran to first base.

10. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to separate elements in
a series or list.
List of
things
to buy:
Bread
Milk
Cheese

11. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to separate elements in
a series or list.
List of Buy me some bread, milk, and
things cheese.
to buy:
Bread
Milk
Cheese

12. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to separate elements in
a series or list.
List of Buy me some bread, milk, and
things cheese.
to buy:
comma comma
Bread
Milk
Cheese

13. Understanding
& Using Commas
Summary of Comma Use Rules
● Use a comma to separate elements in a list
● Use a comma+FANBOYS to connect
two independent clauses
● Use a comma to set off introductory material
● Use commas to set off parenthetical information
● Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives
● Use commas to set off quoted material
● Use commas to set off contrasting phrases
● Use commas to avoid potential confusion

14. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma before (and not after)
a FANBOYS conjunction when two
independent clauses are being
connected.
Exceptions Alert!

15. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma before (and not after)
a FANBOYS conjunction when two
independent clauses are being
connected.
Two Independent Clauses:
He hit the ball well.
He ran toward third base.
Exceptions Alert!

16. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma before (and not after)
a FANBOYS conjunction when two
independent clauses are being
connected.
He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base.
Exceptions Alert!

17. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma before (and not after)
a FANBOYS conjunction when two
independent clauses are being
connected.
He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base.
Independent clause
Exceptions Alert!

18. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma before (and not after)
a FANBOYS conjunction when two
independent clauses are being
connected.
He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base.
Independent clause Independent clause
Exceptions Alert!

19. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma before (and not after)
a FANBOYS conjunction when two
independent clauses are being
connected.
He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base.
Independent clause Independent clause
FANBOYS Conjunction
Exceptions Alert!

20. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma before (and not after)
a FANBOYS conjunction when two
independent clauses are being
connected.
He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base.
comma
Independent clause Independent clause
Coordinating Conjunction
(one of the FANBOYS)
Exceptions Alert!

21. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma before (and not after)
a FANBOYS conjunction when two
independent clauses are being
connected.
He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base.
Exceptions Alert!

22. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma before (and not after)
a FANBOYS conjunction when two
independent clauses are being
connected.
Exception Alert: If the two independent
clauses are short and well balanced, the
comma may be dropped if no confusion is
created.
Exceptions Alert!

23. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma before (and not after)
a FANBOYS conjunction when two
independent clauses are being
connected.
Our team is good but their team is better.
Exceptions Alert!

24. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma before (and not after)
a FANBOYS conjunction when two
independent clauses are being
connected.
Our team is good but their team is better.
Independent clause Independent clause
Exceptions Alert!

25. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma before (and not after)
a FANBOYS conjunction when two
independent clauses are being
connected.
Our team is good but their team is better.
No comma
Independent clause Independent clause
FANBOYS conjunction
Exceptions Alert!

26. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma before (and not after)
a FANBOYS conjunction when two
independent clauses are being
connected.
Our team is good but their team is better.
Exceptions Alert!

27. Understanding
& Using Commas
Summary of Comma Use Rules
● Use a comma to separate elements in a list
● Use a comma+FANBOYS to connect
two independent clauses
● Use a comma to set off introductory material
● Use commas to set off parenthetical information
● Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives
● Use commas to set off quoted material
● Use commas to set off contrasting phrases
● Use commas to avoid potential confusion

28. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to set off introductory
material.
Running toward third base, he suddenly
realized how stupid he looked.
Exceptions Alert!

29. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to set off introductory
material.
Introductory phrase
Running toward third base, he suddenly
realized how stupid he looked.
Exceptions Alert!

30. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to set off introductory
material.
Introductory phrase
comma
Running toward third base, he suddenly
realized how stupid he looked.
Exceptions Alert!

31. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to set off introductory
material.
Exception Alert: If the introductory material
consists of one word or is very, very short,
then the comma may be dropped, if no
confusion or difficulty in reading is created.
Exceptions Alert!

32. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to set off introductory
material.
After his short nap in the clubhouse before
the game, the pitcher felt better.
Exceptions Alert!

33. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to set off introductory
material.
After his short nap in the clubhouse before
the game, the pitcher felt better.
comma
Introductory phrase
(kind of a long one, actually)
Exceptions Alert!

34. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to set off introductory
material.
After his nap, the pitcher felt better.
comma
Introductory phrase (and
this one is much shorter!)
Exceptions Alert!

35. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to set off introductory
material.
After his nap the pitcher felt better.
Okay to omit this comma
Introductory clause (and
this one is much shorter!)
Exceptions Alert!

36. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to set off introductory
material.
After his nap the pitcher felt better.
Exceptions Alert!

37. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to set off introductory
material.
Inside the gym was warm and comfortable.
Exceptions Alert!

38. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to set off introductory
material.
Inside the gym was warm and comfortable.
This is confusing and awkward to read because the writer
did not use a comma to set off the introductory material.
Exceptions Alert!

39. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to set off introductory
material.
Inside, the gym was warm and comfortable.
Exceptions Alert!

40. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to set off introductory
material.
Inside, the gym was warm and comfortable.
Introductory
word
Exceptions Alert!

41. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to set off introductory
material.
Inside, the gym was warm and comfortable.
comma
Introductory
word
Exceptions Alert!

42. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use a comma to set off introductory
material.
Inside, the gym was warm and comfortable.
That’s much better.
Exceptions Alert!

43. Understanding
& Using Commas
Summary of Comma Use Rules
● Use a comma to separate elements in a list
● Use a comma+FANBOYS to connect
two independent clauses
● Use a comma to set off introductory material
● Use commas to set off parenthetical information
● Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives
● Use commas to set off quoted material
● Use commas to set off contrasting phrases
● Use commas to avoid potential confusion

44. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to set off parenthetical
elements in text.

45. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to set off parenthetical
elements in text.
Fine. But what’s
“parenthetical” mean?

46. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to set off parenthetical
elements in text.
Fine. But what’s
“parenthetical” mean?
That’s a good question. Let’s take a look.

47. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to set off parenthetical
elements in text.
Parenthetical
means extra
information
not needed to
understand the
sentence.

48. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to set off parenthetical
elements in text.
Parenthetical
means extra
information
The stadium, built in 1953,
stadium
not needed to was small but comfortable.
understand the
sentence.

49. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to set off parenthetical
elements in text.
Parenthetical
means extra
information
The stadium, built in 1953,
not needed to was small but comfortable.
understand the
sentence.

50. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to set off parenthetical
elements in text. Parenthetical (extra) information
Parenthetical
means extra
information
The stadium, built in 1953,
not needed to was small but comfortable.
understand the
sentence.

51. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to set off parenthetical
elements in text. Parenthetical (extra) information
Parenthetical comma comma
means extra
information
The stadium, built in 1953,
not needed to was small but comfortable.
understand the
sentence.

52. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to set off parenthetical
elements in text. Parenthetical (extra) information
Parenthetical comma comma
means extra
information
The stadium, built in 1953,
not needed to was small but comfortable.
understand the
sentence.
That’s the way you handle it.

53. Understanding
& Using Commas
Summary of Comma Use Rules
● Use a comma to separate elements in a list
● Use a comma+FANBOYS to connect
two independent clauses
● Use a comma to set off introductory material
● Use commas to set off parenthetical information
● Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives
● Use commas to set off quoted material
● Use commas to set off contrasting phrases
● Use commas to avoid potential confusion

54. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.

55. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.

56. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
versus

57. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
versus

58. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
comma
versus
No comma

59. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.

60. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
Lots of times, we make
phrases like this:

61. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
Lots of times, we make
phrases like this:
Adjective noun…

62. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
Lots of times, we make
phrases like this:
Adjective noun…
Adjective adjective noun…

63. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
Lots of times, we make
phrases like this:
Adjective noun…
Adjective adjective noun…
Adjective adjective adjective noun…

64. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
Lots of times, we make
phrases like this:
Adjective noun…
Adjective adjective noun…
Adjective adjective adjective noun…
That question is, when do you use commas
between the adjectives?

65. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
Here’s a easy way to tell if you need commas
between all those adjectives:
If you can put the word and or but between the
adjectives, then you (almost certainly) need
commas between them.

66. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
He is a tall and distinguished gentleman.

67. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
He is a tall and distinguished gentleman.

68. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
He is a tall and distinguished gentleman.

69. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
He is a tall and distinguished gentleman.
He is a tall, distinguished gentleman.
comma

70. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
He is a tall and distinguished gentleman.
He is a tall, distinguished gentleman.
comma

71. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
She is a little and old lady.

72. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
She is a little and old lady.

73. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
She is a little and old lady.

74. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
She is a little and old lady.
She is a little, old lady
comma

75. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
She is a little and old lady.
She is a little, old lady
comma

76. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
She is a little and old lady.
She is a little, old lady
comma
She is a little old lady
No comma

77. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
I live in an old, run-down house.

78. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
I live in an old, run-down house.
I live in a little, purple house.

79. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to separate coordinate
adjectives.
I live in an old, run-down house.
I live in a little, purple house.
I live in a little purple house.

80. Understanding
& Using Commas
Summary of Comma Use Rules
● Use a comma to separate elements in a list
● Use a comma+FANBOYS to connect
two independent clauses
● Use a comma to set off introductory material
● Use commas to set off parenthetical information
● Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives
● Use commas to set off quoted material
● Use commas to set off contrasting phrases
● Use commas to avoid potential confusion

81. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to set off quoted material.
“I want you to stop at second base this time,”
the coach said.
comma
This comma
separates the quote
from the rest of the
sentence.

82. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to set off quoted material.
First comma Second comma
“I’ll stop at second,” the batter said, “but I can
keep going if you want me to.”
If the “split” is in the middle of the sentence, then
two commas are needed.

83. Understanding
& Using Commas
Summary of Comma Use Rules
● Use a comma to separate elements in a list
● Use a comma+FANBOYS to connect
two independent clauses
● Use a comma to set off introductory material
● Use commas to set off parenthetical information
● Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives
● Use commas to set off quoted material
● Use commas to set off contrasting phrases
● Use commas to avoid potential confusion

84. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to set off contrasting
words or phrases.

85. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to set off contrasting
words or phrases.
The puppies were cute, but messy.

86. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to set off contrasting
words or phrases.
The puppies were cute, but messy.
Cute and messy contrast with each other.

87. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to set off contrasting
words or phrases.
The puppies were cute, but messy.
Cute and messy contrast with each other.

88. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to set off contrasting
words or phrases.
The puppies were cute, but messy.
comma
Cute and messy contrast with each other.

89. Understanding
& Using Commas
Summary of Comma Use Rules
● Use a comma to separate elements in a list
● Use a comma+FANBOYS to connect
two independent clauses
● Use a comma to set off introductory material
● Use commas to set off parenthetical information
● Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives
● Use commas to set off quoted material
● Use commas to set off contrasting phrases
● Use commas to avoid potential confusion

90. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to avoid potential
confusion.

91. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to avoid potential
confusion.
For most the year was already finished.

92. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to avoid potential
confusion.
For most the year was already finished.
What? It’s not clear what this is supposed to
mean.

93. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to avoid potential
confusion.
For most, the year was already finished.
Make it clear by using a comma to set off the
introductory material.

94. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to avoid potential
confusion.
For most, the year was already finished.
comma
Introductory phrase
Make it clear by using a comma to set off the
introductory material.

95. Understanding
& Using Commas
Use commas to avoid potential
confusion.
For most, the year was already finished.
That’s much better!

96. Understanding
& Using Commas
Summary of Comma Use Rules
● Use a comma to separate elements in a list
● Use a comma+FANBOYS to connect
two independent clauses
● Use a comma to set off introductory material
● Use commas to set off parenthetical information
● Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives
● Use commas to set off quoted material
● Use commas to set off contrasting phrases
● Use commas to avoid potential confusion

97. Understanding
& Using Commas
Typographical
Reasons for Commas.

98. Understanding
& Using Commas
Typographical
Reasons for Commas.
There is an understanding and agreement to use
commas in certain ways for certain constructions:
On June 14, 1845, the first baseball game was
played.

99. Understanding
& Using Commas
Typographical
Reasons for Commas.
There is an understanding and agreement to use
commas in certain ways for certain constructions:
On June 14, 1845, the first baseball game was
played.
comma comma

100. Understanding
& Using Commas
Typographical
Reasons for Commas.
There is an understanding and agreement to use
commas in certain ways for certain constructions:
In June 1845, the first baseball game was
played.

101. Understanding
& Using Commas
Typographical
Reasons for Commas.
There is an understanding and agreement to use
commas in certain ways for certain constructions:
In June 1845, the first baseball game was
played.
comma

102. Understanding
& Using Commas
Typographical
Reasons for Commas.
There is an understanding and agreement to use
commas in certain ways for certain constructions:
I lived in Dallas, Texas, for many years.

103. Understanding
& Using Commas
Typographical
Reasons for Commas.
There is an understanding and agreement to use
commas in certain ways for certain constructions:
I lived in Dallas, Texas, for many years.
comma comma

104. Understanding
& Using Commas
Typographical
Reasons for Commas.
There is an understanding and agreement to use
commas in certain ways for certain constructions:
About $15,600 was spent on the highway this
year.

105. Understanding
& Using Commas
Typographical
Reasons for Commas.
There is an understanding and agreement to use
commas in certain ways for certain constructions:
About $15,600 was spent on the highway this
year.
comma

106. Understanding
& Using Commas
Summary of Comma Use Rules
● Use a comma to separate elements in a list
● Use a comma+FANBOYS to connect
two independent clauses
● Use a comma to set off introductory material
● Use commas to set off parenthetical information
● Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives
● Use commas to set off quoted material
● Use commas to set off contrasting phrases
● Use commas to avoid potential confusion