The Lowdown on Commas

Using Commas Correctly

In my writing, I have noticed that I constantly overuse commas. I tend to write as I would speak, interjecting pauses as I do in speech. However, this doesn’t always work in writing. There are specific rules for using commas, and if you’re in doubt whether to use a comma, consider the following.

Are the clauses you plan to join together both independent? Then use a comma and add a conjunction between the two clauses.

Example:
Some of my friends are going to Europe this summer, but I am planning a trip to Mexico. I am not only planning a trip to Mexico, but I am also planning a trip to Egypt.

When the first clause of a sentence is dependent, you also need a comma.

Example:
Because I could not stop for death, he kindly stopped for me.

Are you creating a list of objects in your sentence? If so, use commas after every object. However, there is some discretion as to whether a comma should come before the last item in a list. It is best to ask your instructor what his or her preference is on this matter.

Example:
The manager met with her office staff, departmental heads, and technical advisers.

Commas are also necessary when writing a date or a location in a sentence, and must ALWAYS go after the year when writing a date, and the state when writing a geographic location.

Example:

Sherry Smith was born January 16, 1983, in Memphis, Tennessee 38118, and achieved national prominence on her 20th birthday.
She will hold a meeting at Collin County Community College on May 15, 2004, in Room G238 to discuss the role of technology in elementary schools.

Clarification of a subject is needed in sentences sometimes. When the information you give is helpful but not necessary, surround it with commas. If the information is crucial, do not use commas.

Example:
Collin Creek Mall, which was built in 1980, has enjoyed nearly two decades of prosperous growth. (Unnecessary)
The suburban mall that has enjoyed the most prosperous growth in Texas is Collin Creek. (Necessary)

Overall, the best way to determine whether you need a comma (when not listing items in a sentence) is to see if the information you are about to put in commas is necessary to the sentence. Can you take that part of the sentence out with it still making sense? If so, that removable clause belongs in commas. Switch the clauses or questionable parts of the sentence around. Does it still make sense? If so, once again use commas. The trick is to become familiar with the rules so that using them becomes a subconscious process. Once you learn the rules, you then have the option of breaking them, as many prominent authors tend to do. However, that is a whole different subject to tackle another time. Good luck!


Work Cited

A Brief, No-Nonsense Guide to Comma Usage. 21 March 2007. Collin County
Community College. 26 March 2007. http://iws.ccccd.edu/jmiller/A%20Brief_%20No-Nonsense%20Guide%20to%20Comma%20Usage.htm/