9 rules for commas
- Separate independent clauses when they are joined by conjoining words (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet).
Example:
“I like winter, but my brother does not.”
“Do we have class on Monday, or is Monday a holiday?”
- Using commas after introductory clauses, phrases, or words that come before the sentence’s main clause.
Example:
“When we arrive, let’s go to the mall.”
“However, Bow Valley College is one of the stops on the C-Train.”
- A pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to section off clauses, phrases, or words that provide extra meaning to the sentence.
Example:
“John, who is a good cook, went to Edmonton.”
“The library, which has a lot of books, is a good place to start your essay.”
- Use commas to separate three or more clauses, phrases, or words written as a series. This is usually used in lists.
Example:
“I saw a cat, mouse, and a dog.”
“We need milk, sugar, bread, and lemons from the store.”
- Use a comma to separate two or more coordinating adjectives that describe a noun.
Example:
“Jeff was a strong, health man.”
“The hairy, wet dog.”
- Commas should be used to separate all geographical names, items in dates (except month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names.
Example:
“Calgary, Alberta, Canada”
“Classes start on September 5, 2023 on the Bow Valley College Campus (345 6 Ave SE, Calgary, AB).”
- Use a comma to separate a sentence from a quotation.
Example:
“The boy said, ‘let’s go play.’”
“’My sister is a student, ‘said Anne.”
- Use a comma when you have a phrase that refers to a previous part of the same sentence.
Example:
“Jane was not sleeping, just resting her eyes.”
“I saw a mallard this morning, a type of duck.”
- Do not use commas to separate essential clauses from a sentence (That clause)
Example:
“It is important that there isn’t a comma in this sentence.”