English

COMMA INFORMATION SHEET

1. Between two sentences, use a comma before a coordinating conjunction

(a short connecting word*).

It is cold outside, so I am going inside.

Wendy went to Colorado, but Rob went to Utah.

*Remember that the first letters of the coordinating conjunctions spell out the words, “fan boys”:
For But
And Or
Nor Yet
So

2. Use commas to separate items in a series (list of 3 or more items). Do not

use a comma after the last item.

Carrots, green beans, and spinach are rich in nutrients.

We had to dust the house, vacuum the floor, and wash the dishes.

3. Use a comma after introductory interjections (words like well, yes, no, etc.)

Well, I did like her speech. No, I’m not going to be late.
Oh, yes, I will go to the game with you.

4. Use a comma after introductory groups of words (check to be sure that a

complete sentence follows).

To hang the picture, you must first measure the wall.

When I am late for class, I feel terrible.
To avoid being late, allow thirty minutes for travel time.

5. Use a comma between adjectives if they can be reversed or if they sound

OK with and between them.

It was a cold, rainy day. (It was a rainy and cold day. It was a rainy, cold day.)
The GOAL Lab is a busy, challenging place. (...busy and challenging....)

6. Leave out the comma between adjectives if they cannot be reversed.

N-adj
I like the long wooden spoon. (NOT wooden long...) It was an ugly leisure suit.
...expensive foreign car (NOT expensive and foreign) I passed a hard math test.

7. Use a comma after longer connecting words that come between sentences.

It is cold outside; therefore, I will go inside.

The rain continued for days. However, there was no major flooding.

Copyright 2009 © FVTC GOAL English Department. Commas Info revised 4-00 eb