The Comma: Basic punctuation for students of English
Comma
There are a number of different uses for commas in English. Commas are used to:
Separate a list of items. This is one of the most common uses of a comma. Notice that a comma is included before the conjunction 'and' which comes before the final element of a list. Examples:
I like reading, listening to music, taking long walks, and visiting with my friends. They would like books, magazines, DVDs, video cassettes, and other learning materials for their library.
Separate phrases (clauses). This is especially true after a beginning dependent clause or a long prepositional phrase. Examples:
"In order to qualify for your certificate, you will need to take the TOEFL exam".
"Although he wanted to come, he wasn't able to attend the course."
Separate two independent clauses that are connected by a conjunction such as 'but'. Examples:
"They wanted to purchase a new car, but their financial situation would not allow it."
"I'd really enjoy seeing a film this evening, and I'd like to go out for a drink."
Introduce a direct quote (as opposed to indirect speech i.e. He said he wanted to come ...). Examples:
"The boy said, "My father is often away during the week on business trips."
"His doctor replied, "If you don't stop smoking, you run the risk of a heart attack."
Separate appositives (a noun, or noun phrase) or non-defining relative clauses. Examples:
"Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, comes from Seattle."
"My only sister, who is a fantastic tennis player, is in great shape".
1 Answer
I found this in a Google search. It wouldn't fit as a comment so I am posting it here.
Use a comma to separate the elements in a series (three or more things), including the last two. "He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to first base." You may have learned that the comma before the "and" is unnecessary, which is fine if you're in control of things. However, there are situations in which, if you don't use this comma (especially when the list is complex or lengthy), these last two items in the list will try to glom together (like macaroni and cheese). Using a comma between all the items in a series, including the last two, avoids this problem. This last comma—the one between the word "and" and the preceding word—is often called the serial comma or the Oxford comma. In newspaper writing, incidentally, you will seldom find a serial comma, but that is not necessarily a sign that it should be omitted in academic prose.
