A comma is used to add clarity to a sentence and to enable a reader to understand the relation of its parts more quickly.
Commas: Part One
Commas in a Series
Use a comma after all but the last element in a series.
A series consists of three or more words, phrases, or clauses. When one or more of the elements contain a comma, semicolons instead of commas are used to separate the elements.
No commas are used in a series if all of the items are joined by and, or, or nor.
Use commas after the words first, second, and so on, when these words introduce items in a series.(Note the use of semicolons n the example).
- The Japanese syllabic, the Chinese logographic, and the Korean alphabetic writing systems are similar in appearance.
- The Chinese language is pronounced differently in many provinces of the country, in Taiwan,and in Hong Kong.
- Some people believe that Japanese is difficult to pronounce, that its alphabet is complicated to write, and that learning the language takes many years of study.
No commas are used in a series if all of the items are joined by and, or, or nor.
- The icy wind soon numbed the climber's face and feet and hands.
Use commas after the words first, second, and so on, when these words introduce items in a series.(Note the use of semicolons n the example).
- The word aborigine refers to three groups of people: first, an ancient mythical people; second, the aboriginal tribes of Australia; and third, any original inhabitants of a country.
Commas between Coordinate Adjectives
Coordinate adjectives are adjectives of equal rank. To determine whether adjectives are coordinate, try placing and between them. If and sounds natural, and if you can reverse the order of the adjectives without changing the meaning, then a comma is needed.
reversing their order. Therefore, a comma is needed).
necessary.)
Do not use a comma before the final adjective in a series if the adjective is thought of as part of the noun.
(American flag is considered one item, Colorful and shimmering modify American flag, not just flag. Thus, there is no comma
between shimmering and American.
If one word in a series modifies another word in the same series, no comma separates them.
Incorrect A dark, brown coat was left in the closet.
Correct A dark brown coat was left in the closet.
(Dark modifies brown, telling what shade of brown. It does not modify the noun coat.)
In general, no comma is needed after numbers and after adjectives of size, shape, and age.
a old Italian custom five small round windows.
- The cold, exhausted climbers returned to their camp.
reversing their order. Therefore, a comma is needed).
- Many animals grow a thick winter coat.
necessary.)
Do not use a comma before the final adjective in a series if the adjective is thought of as part of the noun.
- As the horns blared, the marchers formed a colorful, shimmering American flag.
(American flag is considered one item, Colorful and shimmering modify American flag, not just flag. Thus, there is no comma
between shimmering and American.
If one word in a series modifies another word in the same series, no comma separates them.
Incorrect A dark, brown coat was left in the closet.
Correct A dark brown coat was left in the closet.
(Dark modifies brown, telling what shade of brown. It does not modify the noun coat.)
In general, no comma is needed after numbers and after adjectives of size, shape, and age.
a old Italian custom five small round windows.