Comma
A comma is a piece of punctuation that has a variety of uses, but its
purpose is mainly to keep words and ideas clear.
Use a comma to separate items in dates and places.
July 1, 1908 Prince George, British Columbia
Use a comma in the openings of friendly letters and in the closings of all letters.
Dear Grandmother, Yours truly,
Use a comma to separate initials from surnames, and to separate titles from
surnames.
Mitchell, W.O. James Brown, [Link].
Use a comma between words or groups of words in a series.
My lunch contained sandwiches, an apple, cake, and one raw carrot.
Use a comma to separate adjectives before a noun.
Trilby bought a shiny, new, red, sports car.
They looked out on the choppy, grey sea.
N OTE
OT
FO
If the word “and” can be inserted between ideas,
insert a comma.
PUNCTUATION 23
Use a comma before a coordinate conjunction in a compound sentence.
Commas are used to separate independent clauses (clauses that can stand by
themselves) in a compound sentence.
Independent Clause Conjunction Independent Clause
The day felt chilly, but we went to the pool.
The dog licked my hand, and I knew I had to take her home.
Use a comma to set off introductory words and phrases.
Commas are used to set off introductory words or phrases that cannot stand alone as
a sentence.
Introductory Phrase Independent Clause
If I win the lottery, I will move to Fiji.
While waiting for the bus, I fell asleep.
Use a comma to set off words that interrupt the main idea of a sentence.
My boss, for example, donated thousands of dollars to charity last year.
It may not be my place, however, to say this.
Interrupters
by the way however still incidentally
for example furthermore in fact of course
Use a comma to set off appositives.
An appositive is a word or phrase that adds extra information about the noun that
appears before it in a sentence.
Noun Appositive
Leo, my youngest brother, was born on Canada Day.
The town of Kitchener, once known as Berlin, is in Ontario.
24 PUNCTUATION
Use a comma to set off non-essential words and phrases.
Example: My dog, who is five-years old today, can sit, shake a paw, and roll
over on command.
Explanation: The clause “who is five-years old today” is extra information and
not essential to understanding the sentence and is, therefore, placed
between commas.
Example: My car accident, which happened on Main Avenue and Third Street,
involved a cyclist.
Explanation: The clause “which happened on Main Avenue and Third Street” is
also not essential to understanding the sentence.
Example: My friend who rides a motorcycle is always trying to get me to ride
with him.
Explanation: In this case, the clause “who rides a motorcycle” is essential to
understanding the meaning of the sentence; without it, the identity of
the friend would be unclear. Therefore, no commas are placed around
the phrase.
Example: The book that is on the table is mine.
Explanation: In this sentence “that is on the table” is important because it tells
which book is mine. There might be books in other places, but this
sentence is concerned with the book on the table.
Use a comma to set off the name of the person addressed (spoken to).
I have finished my lesson, Miss Kim.
Close the door, Marion, when you leave the room.
Use a comma in quotations.
“I told you,” said the coach, “to get to bed early the night before a game.”
PUNCTUATION 25
Quiz Yourself:
Comma
Circle the correct answer from the choices given.
1. My father was born on _____________ .
a. Monday, January 18th, 1954.
b. Monday January 18th, 1954.
2. My father was born in ______________ .
a. Honolulu Hawaii, U.S.A.
b. Honolulu, Hawaii U.S.A.
c. Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.A.
3. Because her alarm was ________________ she missed her class.
a. broken
b. broken,
c. , broken
4. Today was her sister’s __________ so she took her out for dinner.
a. birthday
b. birthday,
c. , birthday
5. After class, __________ I went jogging.
a. but, before lunch
b. but, before lunch
c. but before lunch,
continued on next page
26 PUNCTUATION
Quiz Yourself:
Comma
Continued
6. Students __________ only harm themselves.
a. who, cheat
b. who cheat,
c. who cheat
7. Apples __________ grow in my parents’ orchard.
a. , which are my favourite fruit,
b. which are my favourite fruit
8. The candidate promised to _________________________ and end unemployment.
a. lower taxes protect the environment reduce crime,
b. lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce crime
c. lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce crime,
9. In this case ____________ I don’t think you were to blame.
a. , however
b. , however,
10. Jason said, ________________ “I never want to see you again.”
a. in a rage,
b. in a rage
c. in, a rage
continued on next page
PUNCTUATION 27
Quiz Yourself:
Comma
Continued
11. ________________ Joe’s political career is over.
a. If, the opposition wins,
b. If the opposition wins,
12. A nineteen year old ____________________ is considered an adult.
a. in British Columbia
b. in British Columbia,
c. in, British Columbia
13. Twelve hundred dollars____________ is too much to pay for that rusted-out truck.
a. I think
b. , I think,
14. When the snow finally stops __________ we’ll shovel the driveway.
a. falling,
b. falling
c. , falling
15. The treasure chest _________________ some costume jewellery, and five thousand
Canadian Tire dollars.
a. contained three wigs,
b. contained, three wigs,
28 PUNCTUATION
Challenge Yourself:
Comma
Correct the following sentences by either inserting or deleting commas where appropriate.
1. Skateboarding, which my brother is crazy about is a different experience for
different people.
2. For some skaters skateboarding is a sport, where skaters perform tricks or ride
the ramps.
3. For others however the skateboard is used as a mode of transportation.
4. This is a dangerous way to get around town but, many people do it.
5. Some people, take skateboarding very seriously.
6. For example my brother said “For me, skateboarding is like a religion.”
7. Although I’m not an avid skateboarder I understand what he was saying.
8. When I skate my feelings include joy peace excitement and contentment.
9. My friends have taught encouraged pushed and challenged me to be the best
skater I can be.
PUNCTUATION 29