The document provides guidelines on the proper usage of commas in various sentence structures. Key rules include using commas to separate items in a list, to address individuals directly, and to set off introductory phrases. Additionally, it addresses comma placement with independent clauses, adjectives, and contrasting parts of sentences.

1. By Arundathie Abeysinghe
Lecturer in English
International Aviation Academy
SriLankan Airlines
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2. Use commas to separate words and word groups with a
series of three or more
e.g.
Share these chocolates with your sister, your brother,
and your cousin
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3. Use commas before the name or title of a person directly
addressed
e.g: Will you, Amanda, return that book before Friday?
Can you, Peter, finish the assignment soon?
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4. Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the
year and after the year
e.g.:
Brian met his wife on September 28, 2009, in Boston.
Exception
If any part of the date is omitted, leave out the comma
e.g.:
Brian met his wife in 2009.
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5. Use a comma to separate the city from the state
e.g. I live in Manhattan , New York.
 She lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
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6. Use a comma to separate two adjectives
e.g. She is a young, beautiful girl.
 If the word and is inserted between the two adjectives, do
not use a comma
e.g She is a young and beautiful girl.
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7. Use a comma after phrases of more than three words that
begin a sentence
e.g. On January 1, people all over the world celebrate the
New Year.
To get good results, you must study hard.
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8. Use a comma to separate a city from a state
e.g. She has been working in Annapolis, Maryland, during
the last 5 years.
If a two letter capitalized form is used in a sentence, a
comma is not necessary.
e.g. She is working in Annapolis, MD during the last 5 years.
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9. Use a comma to separate independent clauses joined by a
coordinating conjunction (and, but, so, yet, for, or, nor)
e.g. I have finished studying, but I will not attend the party.
I may accept your business proposal, or I may reject it.
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10. Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt
sentence flow
e.g. He is, as mentioned earlier, the best person to do this
job.
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11. Use commas to surround degrees or titles used
with names
e.g. Monica Wetzel, M.D., was in College with Azar Sr. and
Mike Stuart II.
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12. Use a comma when starting a sentence with a weak clause
e.g. If she is not attending the meeting, please inform the
secretary.
Do not use a comma if the sentence starts with a strong
clause followed by a weak clause
e.g. Please inform the secretary if she is not attending the
meeting.
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13. Use a comma when an adjective (-ly) is used with other
adjectives
e.g. Liza is a lovely, beautiful girl.
 Aditya is a lively, handsome boy.
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14. Use a comma to separate words and word groups (with a
series of three or more)
e.g. Nelly divided 20 exercise books among her sister,
brother, cousins, and her friend.
NOTE: If the comma is omitted after cousins, it would mean
that cousins and the friend have to divide the exercise books
among themselves.
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15. Use commas to introduce or interrupt direct quotations
shorter than three lines
e.g. “Where,” she asked “Do you hope to build the house?’
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16. Use a comma surrounding words such as however and
therefore when they are used as interrupters
e.g. I would be glad, however, to accept your invitation.
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17. Use a comma to separate a statement from a question.
e.g. I can swim in the pool, can’t I?
 You said you can drive, can’t you?
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18. Use a comma when beginning sentences with introductory
words – now, well, yes etc.
e.g. Well, I decided not to attend the meeting.
 Yes, I agree with him.
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19. Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence
e.g. This is Monica’s book, not Michelle’s.
 That is Sasha’s car, not Dave’s.
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20. Use a comma to separate items in a list (nouns or
adjectives)
e.g. David bought vegetables, meat, fish, cheese, milk and
chocolates at the supermarket
Misha is a young, beautiful, lively girl.
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21. Thank you!
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