10. The comma is used to separate coordinate adjectives which modify the same noun. Adjectives are coordinate if the word
and can be used between them.
The efficient, business-like secretary received an increase in pay. (Comma - the efficient and business-like secretary. Both adjectives modify secretary.)
The five silver spoons were very expensive. (No comma. You would not say five and silver spoons.)
11. The comma is used in a compound sentence to separate independent clauses joined by one of the coordinate conjunctions
and, but, for ,or, nor and
while when it means the same as
but.
I dictated the letter as you ordered, but she did not transcribe it correctly.
Minneapolis is a large industrial center, and it has many cultural attractions.
(a) If the clauses of a compound sentence are very short and closely connected, the comma may be
omitted.
He looked but he did not see her.
(b) Do not use a comma between two independent clauses unless a coordinate conjunction is used. The use of a comma without a coordinate conjunction between two independent clauses is call the
comma fault. The following sentence illustrates the comma fault:
The men in the shipping department will not follow instructions, they repeatedly make serious errors. (Incorrect - comma should not be used without a coordinate conjunction.)
The comma fault may be eliminated by punctuating the sentence in one of the three following ways:
(a) Use a coordinate conjunction after the comma:
The men in the shipping department will not follow instructions, andthey repeatedly make serious errors. (correct)
(b) Use a semicolon between the two independent clauses:
The men in the shipping department will not follow instructions; they repeatedly make serious errors.
(c) Punctuate the two independent clauses as two simple sentences:
The men in the shipping department will not follow instructions. They repeatedly make serious errors. (correct)
When the independent clauses of a compound sentence are very long or have
internal punctuation, a semicolon is generally used before the coordinate conjunction. Internal punctuation means that there are commas within one or both of the independent clauses.
The men in the shipping department will not follow instructions[b; and, as a result[/b], they repeatedly make serious errors.
12. The comma is used to set off words or phrases expressing contrast.
I asked you to file the contract, not destroy it.
You may be excused from the conference this time, but never again.
13. The comma is used to set off a definite place, month or year.
The president was born April 8, 1872, at 1224 Elm Street, Cleveland, Ohio.
14. The comma is used to set off a short direct quotation.
The director asked, "how many of you are in favor of the change in policy?"
15. The comma is used to separate a declarative clause and an interrogative clause which immediately follows.
[quote] The plane will arrive on time, will it not?
Jack is to get a promotion, isn't he?
16. The comma is used to separate a phrase from the rest of the sentence when the phrase is inverted or our of its natural order.
Like you, I think the policy is a worthwhile one.
In spite of his promise, he was late to work again.
17. The comma is used to indicate the omission of a word.
fishing forms a quieet man; hunting, an eager man; racing, a greedy man.
18. The comma is used to set off a proper name when followed by an academic degree or honorary title. the comma is used to separate two or more degrees or titles.
Philip F. Adams, A.B., M.A., Ph.D., lecturer in English.
19. The comma is used to point off the thousands in figures of four digits or more.
20. The comma is used to separate two sets of figures or two identical words.
As I told you, you should write immediately.
Send me 10, No. 1234 and7, No. 138.
Since 1993, 12,000 new machines have been sold.
WHEW!
Artemis
