HILLS

How to use Commas

1. The comma [,] is used to show a slight pause in a sentence.
2. It is the lightest mark of punctuation.
3. It is also used to separate and clarify clauses.
He will never do it, whatever he says.
She bought some butter, a pint of milk, and some jam.
Cars should turn left here, whilst vans should turn right.
4. The comma is used to separate words, clauses, or phrases.
5. It separates two clauses when the first is not closely associated with the
second:
She is a famous singer, whilst her husband remains unknown.
6. It is used to clarify the sense of statements and to prevent ambiguity.
7. It creates a pause where you might mistake the sense of what is written:
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In the valley below the villages looked small.
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CLEAR
In the valley below, the villages looked small.

How to use Commas -guidance notes Page 2 of 4

http://www.mantex.co.uk/samples/commas.htm

04/03/1431

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8. It separates a sequence of adjectives qualifying a noun:

He was an arrogant, pompous fellow.
9. But when the adjectives are of a different order, no comma is necessary:
He was a distinguished foreign visitor.
10. It marks a parenthetical phrase within a sentence:
I am quite sure, despite my reservations, that he's the best man
for the job.

11. A very common use for the comma is to separate the items in a list:
The box contained a book, some pencils, and a knife.
12. Opinions differ on the need for the final comma in such examples. If the
items are all of the same kind, it can usually be omitted. If they are not, it is
safer to retain the comma. This is sometimes called the 'Oxford comma'.
13. The need for it is very well illustrated by this howler from a best-selling
novelist:
"This book is dedicated to my parents, Anne Rice and God."

14. Sometimes confusion is created by the insertion of commas where they

are not really necessary. This is an example of bad usage:
The strangest of all these new sensations, was the onset of
profound happiness.
The comma is simply not necessary in this example.

How to use Commas -guidance notes Page 3 of 4

http://www.mantex.co.uk/samples/commas.htm

04/03/1431

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15. Commas should not be used to connect separate sentences as a casual

substitute for the full stop:
A party has been arranged, it will not take place until next week.

This is weak writing. The statement should be made either as two separate
sentences, or if they are brought together because of their natural
connection, a conjunction is required:

A party has been arranged, but it will not take place until next
week.

16. Even though in some cases a comma may not be absolutely necessary for
retaining grammatical coherence (as in the previous example), it may still be
useful in order to clarify the meaning for a reader. Here's another example
of poor writing.
Each night you stay at a Roberts-Plaza Moat Houses UK hotel at
the fully published or corporate rate you are entitled to a special
discount voucher.

This clumsily phrased statement would be improved by the insertion of a

comma after the word 'rate'.

Each night you stay at a Roberts-Plaza Moat Houses UK hotel at

the fully published or corporate rate, you are entitled to a
special discount voucher.
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