Commas & Quotation Marks

Commas
Commas are used to separate parts of a sentence for clarity or pacing. Below are some of the
most common situations in which commas are needed.

Between Three or More Items in a Series

Commas are used to separate words and phrases in a list. The serial comma is an extra comma
you will often see placed before “and/or” in American English.

 Mr. Jenson wanted us to bring apples, milk, and bread.

 Rehearsals are held before school, during lunch, and at night.

Between Independent Clauses Separated by a Conjunction

An independent clause is a group of words that can form a complete sentence on its own. If two
independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so),
the conjunction must have a comma before it. If the clauses are very short and closely
connected, the comma may be omitted. This recommendation applies equally to imperative
sentences, in which the subject (you) is omitted but understood.

 The new cars arrived yesterday, so ours will be delivered soon.

 We activated the alarm, but the intruder was already inside.
 All watches display the time, and some of them do so accurately.
 We have to go to the airport soon, for we have a flight to catch.
 I do not want ice cream, nor do I want apple pie.
 It was snowing outside, yet the roads were safe to drive on.

but

 Electra played the guitar and Tambora sang.

 Raise your right hand and repeat after me.

With Compound Predicates

A compound predicate occurs when a subject that is shared by two or more clauses is not
repeated after the first clause. A comma is not normally used to separate a two-part compound
predicate joined by a coordinating conjunction. A comma may occasionally be needed,
however, to prevent a misreading.

 He stood up and opened his mouth but failed to remember his question.

but

 She recognized the man who entered the room, and gasped.
After Introductory Adverbs and Transitional Words/Phrases
Commas are used after the following types of introductory elements:
• Introductory adverbs / transitional words (such as accordingly, however, therefore,
moreover, finally, besides, namely, otherwise, consequently, hence, also, for example,
and often words that end in –ly)
• Participial phrases (phrases that begin with the -ing or -ed form of a verb)
• Infinitive phrases (phrases in which the verb is preceded by the word to)
• Prepositional phrases (phrases that begin with a preposition and end with a noun)

 Incidentally, I was not late this morning. (adverb)

 Hoping for the best, she approached her mother. (participial phrase)
 To arrive on time, we must leave here by six. (infinitive phrase)
 In the dark, you looked like a thief. (prepositional phrase)
 In addition, extra guards were hired.(transitional phrase)

After Introductory Words Like “Yes” or “No”

A comma is used after a word like yes, no, or well when it appears at the beginning of a
sentence.

 Yes, that flight will arrive on time.

 No, I don’t think it is going to rain.
 Well, he certainly surprised me.

After an Introductory Dependent Clause

A dependent clause is a group of words that depends on an independent clause to form a
complete sentence. They often begin with a subordinating conjunction (although, after, because,
if, since, until, when, as, while, whether, though, etc.).

 Although blue is her favorite color, she is wearing red today.

 When Dad gets home from work, we will eat dinner.

Note: If a dependent clause comes after an independent clause, there is no need to use a
comma if it is restrictive—that is, essential to fully understanding the meaning of the main
clause. However, if the dependent clause is merely parenthetical (i.e., nonrestrictive, or not
essential to the meaning of the main clause), it should be preceded by a comma.

 We will agree to the proposal if you accept our conditions. (It is not necessarily true that “we will
agree to the proposal”; the dependent if clause adds essential information here.)

but

 I’d like the tom yum, if you don’t mind.

Between Coordinating Adjectives

Commas separate coordinating adjectives (words that modify the same noun and could be
written in the opposite order in the sentence). These adjectives could be separated by the word
and instead of a comma.

 His arrogant, condescending manner annoyed us. (The order of the words arrogant and
condescending can be reversed, so a comma is needed.)

 Everyone loved our former math teacher. (The sentence would not make sense if the words were
reversed: math former teacher. Therefore, do not use a comma.)

Around Nonessential Words

Commas are used to set off nonessential words and phrases (words that appear after a noun
and can be removed from the sentence without changing its meaning).

 The quality of the material, however, was beyond question. (word)

 Mr. Green is, in my opinion, a very successful salesman. (phrase)

In contrast, commas do not set off essential phrases that give the sentence its complete
meaning.

 I have two sisters. The sister who lives in Japan is coming to visit. (Because I have two sisters,
the phrase who lives in Japan is necessary for clarity.)

 The committee reached a decision that was not popular. (The adjective clause that was not
popular is necessary to know which decision was reached.)

Note: Clauses beginning with which should be preceded by a comma.

Around Appositives

Commas are used to set off appositives (words or phrases that rename a noun).

 Lacrosse, a sport played hundreds of years ago, is still popular.

 The award was given to Jan, Carol’s daughter.

With Place Names and Dates

A comma should separate the name of a city from its state, and if a city is listed with its state or
country, a comma is also needed after the name of the state or country.
When dates are written, a comma is needed between the date and year and between the name
of a day and its date. If a date, month, and year are listed together, a comma is needed after the
year as well.

 We moved here from Salt Lake City, Utah, three months ago. (Use a comma after the city and
after the state.)
 On Tuesday, August 13, 1998, I moved to Texas. (Use a comma after the day, the date, and the
year.)
 We moved here from San Francisco three months ago. (No comma is necessary if you have only
one element of a date or place name.)

In the day-month-year system—followed in British English—no commas are needed to set off
the year.

 See his journal entries of 6 October 2015 and 4 January 2017.

Around Nouns of Direct Address

Commas set off the names of individuals being spoken to.

 Jamie, please clean your room.

 Please tell us, Mr. Thomas, how you came up with this marvelous machine.

With Numbers
In general, use commas in numbers that have four or more digits, regardless of how the
numbers appear in the interface. When designating years, however, use commas only when the
number has five or more digits.

Do not use commas in page numbers, addresses, and decimal fractions.

 1,024 bytes
 page 1091 (No commas required in page numbers.)
 1,093 pages
 1.06377 units (No commas required in decimals.)
 2500 B.C.
 10,000 B.C. (In years, commas required for five or more digits.)
 15601 Northeast 40th Street (No commas required in addresses.)
Relative to Parentheses and Brackets
When the context calls for a comma at the end of material in parentheses or brackets, the
comma should follow the closing parenthesis or bracket. A comma never precedes a closing
parenthesis.

 Conrad told his assistant (Martin), who was clearly exhausted, to rest.

 After several drummers had tried out for the part (the last having destroyed the kit), the band
decided that a drum machine was their steadiest option.

For its rare appearance before an opening parenthesis, see the example below.

 For the duration of the experiment, the dieters were instructed to avoid (a) meat, (b) bottled
drinks, (c) packaged foods, and (d) nicotine.

Commas with “such as” and “including”

Nonrestrictive phrases introduced by these terms are set off by commas (because they are not
essential to the meaning or identity of the noun they modify). When such phrases are restrictive
(i.e., essential to the meaning or identity of the noun), commas are not used.

 The entire band, including the lead singer, overslept the noon rehearsal.
 The new policy applies to everyone, including faculty.
 My friend Sammy traveled to distant countries, such as Spain, Russia, and South America.
 Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, are high in vitamin C.

but

 The school required an application including my education history.

 Send me a message including your plan for this evening.
 Foods such as pizza and ice cream aren’t very good for you.

With Quotations
An independent clause quoted in the form of dialogue or from text and introduced
with said, replied, asked, wrote, and the like (including variations of such terms) is usually
introduced with a comma.

If the attribution comes before the quote, place the comma outside the quotations marks.
 The runner said, "I saw a duck.”
 She replied, “I hope you aren’t referring to us.”

If, however, such a quotation is introduced by that, whether, if, or a similar conjunction, no
comma is normally needed.

 He wondered whether “to think is to live.”

Note: For the location of a comma in relation to closing quotation marks, see Quotation Marks.
Quotation Marks (“.” & ‘.’)

Periods and Commas in relation to closing quotation marks

Periods and commas precede closing quotation marks, whether double or single. This is a
traditional style and is in use in the United States. (In American English, double quotation marks
are used as the primary quotations and single quotation marks are used as quotations within
quotations.)

 He described what he heard as a “short, sharp shock.”

 “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,” she replied.

In an alternative system, sometimes called British style, single quotation marks are used, and
only those punctuation points that appeared in the original material are included within the
quotation marks; all others follow the closing quotation marks. Periods are routinely placed
inside any quotation that begins with a capital letter and forms a grammatically complete
sentence. (Double quotation marks are reserved for quotations within quotations.)

 ‘The kitchen’, he said, ‘is the heart of the home.’

 ‘I have never been to Norway,’ he said, ‘but I have heard it described as “the Wales of the
North”.’

Tip: If the quote requires punctuation in its original form, place the punctuation inside the
quotation marks. (If it is unclear, try writing the quoted text without quotation marks and replicate
the resulting punctuation.)
 ‘Bob’, I said, ‘likes cheese.’ (Bob likes cheese.)

 ‘After all, tomorrow’, said Scarlett, ‘is another day.’ (After all, tomorrow is another day.)

 The UWSC says that British people write it ‘this way’. (this way)

Other punctuation in relation to closing quotation marks

Colons and semicolons—unlike periods and commas—follow closing quotation marks; question
marks and exclamation points follow closing quotation marks unless they belong within the
quoted matter.

 The speaker listed three "secrets of success": confidence, perseverance, and passion.

 His favorite team is the "Rams"; he has never missed any of their games.

Note: For more information on the use of quotation marks with a question mark or an
exclamation point, see the PDFs of the respective topics.