Transcript Differentiating between General Subject, Limited Subject

A common sense approach to comma
usage.
Rule 1
Put a comma before FANBOYS
(coordinating conjunctions) when
they connect two independent
clauses.
Examples
John looked up an old friend on the Internet, and then he emailed her.
Mary wanted to go to the mall, but her father reminded her
that she had promised to wash the car.
I will not vote for that candidate, for I am a died-in-the-wool
Democrat.
You had better pay your car note, or the finance company will
repossess your car.
You had better pay your car note, or the finance company will
repossess your car, and you will have no way of getting to
work.
Warning
Be sure the FANBOYS do connect two or more
independent clauses. The following sentence
is merely one independent clause with one
subject and two verbs. Therefore no comma
should be used.
She wanted to go to college but didn’t
have enough money.
Rule 2
Put a comma between three or
more items in a series. Think
about dates and addresses as
being "items in a series."
Examples
We rang the doorbell, banged on the door, and shouted.
He ordered pie, cake, and ice cream.
On January 5, 2002, we will begin a new semester.
We will move to 165 North Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, in
October.
Rule 3
Put a comma after introductory
adverbial clauses and verb
phrases (participials and
infinitives).
Examples
To get a decent mortgage rate, Wayne went with an Internet
company.
Grinning like the Cheshire cat, Mary accepted her high school
diploma.
When Mary received her high school diploma, she was
grinning like the Cheshire cat.
Because Mary was grinning like the Cheshire cat, people
thought she was crazy.
Rule 4
Put commas around nouns of
direct address.
Examples
I hope you’re happy, John.
John, I hope you’re happy.
I know, Mary, that you will do a good job.
Rule 5
Put commas around expressions
that interrupt the flow of the
sentence.
Examples
I will, however, take your suggestion under advisement.
In the future, of course, you’ll want to make sure you get to
class on time.
It is to your advantage, I think, to get to class on time.
Rule 6
Put commas around nonrestrictive
(unnecessary) clauses and
phrases.
Examples
The Volkswagen, which we bought last summer, has been a
great little car.
The Magic Flute, an opera composed by Mozart in 1791, is still
performed today.
Madge Diehard, whom I voted for in the last election, was
soundly defeated.
Rule 7
Use commas to prevent
misreadings.
Examples
Before she had believed that everything would work out well;
now she was no so sure.
Before, she had believed that everything would work out well;
now she was no so sure.
To John Harrison had been an idol.
To John, Harrison had been an idol.
The morning after the policeman came to the door.
The morning after, the policeman came to the door.