Commas Part 4: And More Comma Rules…

More comma rules? Yup. So far we have discussed some common uses for commas, using commas for introductory material, and using commas for interrupters.  But there’s more! Here are more uses for commas . . .

Sometimes you need a comma between two adjectives that both  come before a noun. Other times you don’t. How can you tell?

1. If the first adjective modifies the second adjective, rather than both adjectives modifying the noun, there is no comma. 

• She is wearing a bright blue dress. (Bright modifies blue, not dress.)

2. If you can put and between the two adjectives, and the sentence still makes sense, you need a comma.

• We drove for miles along a narrow, winding road.
• Please get that torn, dirty blanket off my bed.

3. You can always try the pause test. If you would pause, you probably need a comma. If you wouldn’t pause, no comma necessary.

• Try on your new white shirt.
• That beautiful green hat is mine.

You need a comma before etc.

If etc. falls at the end of the sentence, put a comma before it. If it comes in the middle of the sentence, put commas both before and after it. Don’t forget the period.

• I love all types of Asian dishes including Thai, Chinese, Korean, etc.
• Please bring your pencils, erasers, notebooks, pens, etc., to class the first day.

You need a comma before i.e. and e.g.

These two abbreviations follow the same rules as etc. Etc. means “and so on,” whereas i.e. means “that is,” and e.g. means “for example.”

• She is the new drum major, i.e., the leader, of the marching band.
• She can speak many languages, e.g., French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese.

You need a comma with direct address.

Direct address means calling someone by name in a sentence. Use a comma or commas regardless of where the name falls in the sentence.

• Mom, can you please come to the front of the room?
• Can you please, Yasmin, clean your room before you go out?
• Did you mow the lawn yet, Jasper?

Use commas when you write addresses.

When you write an address on an envelope, you need a comma only between the city and state. If you are writing an address in text, you need more commas. Note there is never a comma between state and zip code.

John Jones

55 Main Street

Boston, MA 01911

• I live at 55 Main Street, Boston, Massachusetts 01911.

Commas are used when writing dates. Sometimes.

Here are some examples:

• March 22, 2020
• March 2020 (no comma if the day isn’t there)
• I have a valuable cover from the March 5, 1949, issue of Life Magazine.  (Note the comma after 1949 too.)
• I was born August 12, 1980, in Boston. (Notice the comma after 1980.)

Commas are used in numbers.

Commas are generally used in numbers containing four or more numerals:

1,000

65,000

10,000,000

If you should happen to write a sentence with two numerals in a row (perish the thought; please rewrite the sentence), put a comma between them:

• Of the total of 400, 60 were girls.

Sometimes you need a comma with too.

If too (meaning “also”) appears at the end of a sentence, you do not need a comma before it. If it falls in the middle of the sentence, it should be set off with commas.

• My brother says he wants to come too.
• I, too, would love to take piano lessons.

Commas are used to set off academic degrees.

When writing academic degrees with their owners, use commas.

• Val Smith, Ph.D., will be speaking at the conference.
• I have an appointment with Alan Crosby, M.A., this afternoon.

Commas are used with Jr., Sr., and other such titles.

Use a comma between the person’s name and the title. However, in text you don’t need a comma after the title unless the person wants the comma there or if something follows the title that is set off with commas.

• Martin Luther King, Jr. gave many inspiring speeches.
• John Dean, Sr., president of the academy, spoke at the graduation.

Use commas in company names  — usually.

Usually there is a comma before Inc. or Ltd. in a company name. However, you should punctuate the company name exactly as they do (or don’t).

• I work for ABD, Inc.

Use a comma in greetings and closings of letters or e-mails.

Use a comma after the greeting of a letter or e-mail. However, if the letter or e-mail is formal (business), use a colon instead. Use a comma after the closing of a letter or e-mail.

• Dear Sal,
• Dear Dr. Norman:
• Respectfully yours,

Use commas with however and therefore.

Use a comma with however or therefore when either word begins a sentence (or follows a semicolon). Use a comma before the word if it ends a sentence. If however or therefore occurs in the middle of the sentence, set if off with commas. But be careful! If however or therefore is actually connecting two complete sentences, you will need a semicolon (or period) before it. These are all correctly punctuated.

• Therefore, I think you are doing the right thing.
• I don’t think you should join that group, however.
• You  seem to have researched the situation. Therefore, I think you are doing the right thing.
• You may go against my wishes, however, and that is your choice.

Next Week: More Commas Still!