ENG100H5 Chapter 28: Commas
Document Summary
Clarify meaning in sentences by setting off certain sentence elements: note: adding commas to places where you pause when talking aloud is not a. Use a comma to separate coordinating independent clauses (two independent clauses separated by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet: example: prices rose steadily, but profits still fell. Use commas to set off introductory elements from independent clauses: example: mysteriously, the image reappeared. Use commas to separate items in a series, and between coordinating adjectives (adjectives that appear in series: example: the gift should be unique, inexpensive, and returnable, example: he described her as a beautiful, talented child. Note: for coordinating adjectives, check to see if you can place and between each adjective. If you can, you can place a comma there. Use commas to set of nonessential phrases that interrupt a sentence: example: the flower garden, untended for years, produced only weeds.
