Rules for Using COMMAS

Writing in English

Liceo Scientifico Agnoletti a.s. 2009

Prof. Salvadori Ilaria
 A) Use a comma before the eight
coordinating conjunctions if they
connect two complete sentences

• And, or, so, but, nor, yet, for, altough

2) Ne came arly, but she came late
3) He was hungry, yet he didn’t eat anything
4) I was ready to leave, for there was nothing to do
there
......but in case of two non complete sentences:
6) He came early and left late
7) I was hungry and wanted to eat
 B) After a subordinate clause that
comes before a main clause
• A subordinate clause has subj and vb but is not a complete
sentence, it adds info to another clause, the main clause, that
often tells when or why or under what circumstances
2) When I’m hungry, I go to McDonald’s
3) Even though I had a test the following day, I went to a
movie
4) If it rains, we’ll see a movie
…but…
6) I go to McDonald’s when i’m hungry
7) I went to a movie even though i had a test…
 C) Around extra information words
that don’t include a verb

• 1) New Hempshire, a state with many tall

mountains, is my home
• 2) My son, Rick, is home from college
• 3) My father, a good doctor, took care of…
• 4) We played a lot of sport. For example, we
played volleyball every afternoon
 D) With non-defining relative
clauses
• 1) Professor Smith, who teaches the evening class, is
at home
• 2) Central Park, which was built by Olmsted, is one of
the world’s most venerated parks
• 3) I have one aunt. My aunt, who lives in New Jersey,
is old
…but…
5) I’d like to visit a park that has a zoo and a picnic area
6) I have 2 aunts. My aunt who lives in New Jersey is old
E) Between two elements or items
in a list

• I come from Cali, Colombia

• I like bananas, pears, … and peaches
 Exercise
• 1. One day I told her that she was losing her mind but
she paid no attention to me.
• 2. If you see her tell her that I need paper clips pens
pencils and White Out.
• 3. My neighbor an annoying old man always complains
when I play loud music after 9 PM but I don't pay any
attention to him.
• 4. She comes from Belgrade Yugoslavia so she speaks
Serbo-Croatian.
• 5. Before she has lunch she usually cleans the kitchen
and yesterday was no exception.
• 6. My teacher who always has a smile on her face
started working here in May 1998.