Commas, Commas, Commas

A Few Quick Notes

Commas are used to break up your writing; they show readers where to pause as they read a sentence.

Sometimes, commas are a matter of personal style, but there are specific occasions when a comma is necessary (like in this sentence).

Commas are one of the most common type of errors

On ACTIn essays

Key Places for Commas

Introductory Elements

Conjunctions

Non-Restrictive Elements

Lists

Introductory Element

An introductory element is a phrase or word at the beginning of the sentence that tells

when where how why the main action of the sentence occurs.

You must put a comma after an introductory element.

As a young boy, I liked to play baseball.At the park, there is a fun carnival.Slowly, the boy crawled out of the mud.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are words that link parts of sentences: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS)

You must put a comma before a coordinating conjunction that links two independent clauses

They didn’t know where the McDonalds was, so they decided to ask for directions.

More Conjunctions

Do not use a comma if you do not have two independent clauses

I like pizza and spaghetti.

Do not use a comma with subordinating conjunctions (because, although, since)

He hates Lit. class although the teacher is the best.

Non-Restrictive Elements

A non-restrictive element is a part of a sentence that is not essential to its meaning.

Use commas to set off these elements

The city of San Mateo, which is the hometown of Tom Brady, is ten miles south of San Francisco.They just renovated the roller coaster, the one with three loops.

Be Careful!

If the information is essential to the sentence, do not set it off with commas.

Correct: Men who commit murder should be locked away.

Incorrect: Men, who commit murder, should be locked away.

Lists

Use commas to separate the items in a list.

Use the word “and” in the last item.Talent, dedication, and perseverance are essential to succeeding in Guitar Hero.