Comma Rules

54 The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
Commas
Rule 1. To avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word
groups with a series of three or more.
Example: My $10 million estate is to be split among my husband,
daughter, son, and nephew.
Omitting the comma after son would indicate that the son and nephew
would have to split one-third of the estate.
Rule 2. Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the word and can be
inserted between them.
Examples: He is a strong, healthy man.
We stayed at an expensive summer resort. You would not
say expensive and summer resort, so no comma.
Rule 3. Use a comma when an -ly adjective is used with other adjectives.
Note
To test whether an -ly word is an adjective, see if it can be used alone with the noun.
If it can, use the comma.
Examples: Felix was a lonely, young boy.

I get headaches in brightly lit rooms. Brightly is not
an adjective because it cannot be used alone with
rooms; therefore, no comma is used between
brightly and lit.
Rule 4. Use commas before or surrounding the name or title of a person

directly addressed.
Examples: Will you, Aisha, do that assignment for me?
Yes, Doctor, I will.
Note
Capitalize a title when directly addressing someone.
Rule 5a. Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year and
after the year.
Example: Kathleen met her husband on December 5, 2003, in Mill
Valley, California.
Punctuation 55
Rule 5b. If any part of the date is omitted, leave out the comma.
Example: They met in December 2003 in Mill Valley.
Rule 6. Use a comma to separate the city from the state and after the state.
Some businesses no longer use the comma after the state.
Example: I lived in San Francisco, California, for twenty years.
OR
I lived in San Francisco, California for twenty years.
Rule 7. Use commas to surround degrees or titles used with names.

Commas are no longer required around Jr. and Sr. Commas never set off
II, III, and so forth.
Example: Al Mooney, M.D., knew Sam Sunny Jr. and Charles Starr III.
Rule 8. Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt the flow of the
sentence.
Example: I am, as you have probably noticed, very nervous about this.
Rule 9. When starting a sentence with a weak clause, use a comma after
it. Conversely, do not use a comma when the sentence starts with a strong
clause followed by a weak clause.
Examples: If you are not sure about this, let me know now.
Let me know now if you are not sure about this.
Rule 10. Use a comma after phrases of more than three words that begin a
sentence. If the phrase has fewer than three words, the comma is optional.
Examples: To apply for this job, you must have previous experience.
On February 14 many couples give each other candy or
flowers.
OR
On February 14, many couples give each other candy or
flowers.
Rule 11. If something or someone is sufficiently identified, the description

following it is considered nonessential and should be surrounded by
commas.
Examples: Freddy, who has a limp, was in an auto accident. Freddy is
named, so the description is not essential.
The boy who has a limp was in an auto accident. We do not
know which boy is being referred to without further
description; therefore, no commas are used.
56 The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
Rule 12. Use a comma to separate two strong clauses joined by a coordi-
nating conjunction—and, or, but, for, nor. You can omit the comma if the
clauses are both short.
Examples: I have painted the entire house, but he is still working on
sanding the doors.
I paint and he writes.
Rule 13. Use the comma to separate two sentences if it will help avoid
confusion.
Example: I chose the colors red and green, and blue was his first choice.
Rule 14. A comma splice is an error caused by joining two strong clauses
with only a comma instead of separating the clauses with a conjunction,
a semicolon, or a period. A run-on sentence, which is incorrect, is created
by joining two strong clauses without any punctuation.
Incorrect: Time flies when we are having fun, we are always having fun.
(Comma splice)
Incorrect: Time flies when we are having fun we are always having fun.
(Run-on sentence)
Correct: Time flies when we are having fun; we are always having fun.
OR
Time flies when we are having fun, and we are always having
fun.
(Comma is optional because both strong clauses are
short.)
OR
Time flies when we are having fun. We are always having fun.
Rule 15. If the subject does not appear in front of the second verb, do not
use a comma.
Example: He thought quickly but still did not answer correctly.
Rule 16. Use commas to introduce or interrupt direct quotations shorter

than three lines.
Examples: He actually said, ‘‘I do not care.’’
‘‘Why,’’ I asked, ‘‘do you always forget to do it?’’
Rule 17. Use a comma to separate a statement from a question.

Example: I can go, can’t I?
Punctuation 57
Rule 18. Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence.

Example: That is my money, not yours.
Rule 19. Use a comma when beginning sentences with introductory words
such as well, now, or yes.
Examples: Yes, I do need that report.
Well, I never thought I’d live to see the day . . .
Rule 20. Use commas surrounding words such as therefore and however
when they are used as interrupters.
Examples: I would, therefore, like a response.
I would be happy, however, to volunteer for the Red Cross.
Rule 21. Use either a comma or a semicolon before introductory words

such as namely, that is, i.e., for example, e.g., or for instance when they are
followed by a series of items. Use a comma after the introductory word.
Examples: You may be required to bring many items, e.g., sleeping bags,
pans, and warm clothing.
OR
You may be required to bring many items; e.g., sleeping bags,

You may be required to bring many items, e.g. sleeping bags,
Note
i.e. means that is; e.g. means for example.
Semicolons
Rule 1. Use a semicolon in place of a period to separate two sentences
where the conjunction has been left out.
Examples: Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.
I have paid my dues; therefore, I expect all the privileges listed
in the contract.
Rule 2. It is preferable to use the semicolon before introductory words such
as namely, however, therefore, that is, i.e., for example, e.g., or for instance when

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54 The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation

Examples: Felix was a lonely, young boy.

Rule 4. Use commas before or surrounding the name or title of a person

Rule 7. Use commas to surround degrees or titles used with names.

Rule 11. If something or someone is sufﬁciently identiﬁed, the description

Rule 16. Use commas to introduce or interrupt direct quotations shorter

Rule 17. Use a comma to separate a statement from a question.

Rule 18. Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence.

Rule 21. Use either a comma or a semicolon before introductory words

You may be required to bring many items; e.g., sleeping bags,

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