Lesson 15 - Weather
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This page: Learn the rules for using commas in English.

The Use of the Comma in English

In this lesson, we will explain the use of the comma in English, a concept that is confusing for English learners and even for native English speakers.

Elements in a Series

A comma is used to separate items in a series of three or more things. The comma before the conjunction (and or or) is optional, but its use is recommended to avoid confusing the reader.

• I like to eat apples, bananas, and oranges.
• Do you like to read, watch TV, or play video games in your free time?

Two or More Coordinated Adjectives

A comma is used to separate two or more coordinated adjectives that describe the same noun. Coordinated adjectives are adjectives that have the same status. If the adjectives are coordinated, you can write the word "and" between the words, or you can change the order of the words and the sentence will still make sense.

• He is a funny, cheerful man.
  They are coordinated adjectives because it makes sense if you change the order (He is a cheerful, funny man.) and the adjectives can be connected with the word and (He is a funny and cheerful man.)
• She is a little old lady.
  The adjectives are not coordinated because their order cannot be changed (She is an old little lady.) nor can the adjectives be connected with the word and (She is a little and old lady.)

Direct Quotations

The comma is used with direct quotations to separate the quotation from the rest of the sentence if the quotation is a complete sentence.

• Jill said, "Let's go camping this weekend."
• "Stop," the police officer shouted, "or I'll shoot."
• He said that his mother was "the best mom in the world."
  (No comma is used because the quote is not a complete sentence.)

Two Independent Clauses

A comma and a conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so) are used to connect two independent clauses. Independent clauses are parts of a sentence that could be complete sentences on their own (they contain a subject and a verb).

• He went to the store, but it was closed.
  The two clauses could be independent sentences ("He went to the store." and "It was closed.")
• He went to the store and bought fruit.
  The two clauses could not be independent sentences ("He went to the store." is independent, but "bought fruit" isn't independent. It's missing a subject.)

Introductory Elements

The comma is used to separate introductory elements from the rest of the sentence. Many introductory clauses begin with the words after, although, as, because, if, since, when, and while. Also, the words yes, however, and well are introductory.

• If you go to New York, you need to see the Statue of Liberty.
• Although it was sunny, the air was very cold.

Non-Essential Elements

A comma is used to separate clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence (such as the non-restrictive clauses we studied in the grammar lesson of Lesson 14).

• Laura, who is in my class, gave an outstanding presentation.
• His goal, to learn English, is very important for his job.
• Learning English, however, can take a long time.

Contrasting Elements

The comma is used to separate elements that indicate a contrast in the sentence. "Tag questions," which we studied in Lesson 4, are considered a contrasting element (see the second example below).

• The car was red, not blue.
• You didn't go to the party, did you?

Geographic Names, Dates, Titles

A comma is used to separate parts of a geographical name (for example, the name of the city from the name of the state or country).

• He lives in San Francisco, California.
• She visited Bogota, Colombia.

In the United States, a comma is used to separate the month and day from the year. In Europe, the date is written with the day first, and no comma is used.

• June 23, 2012 (United States)
• 23 June 2012 (Europe)

The comma is used to separate the title from the person's name.

• William H. Johnson, MD
• Sarah T. Fredericks, PhD

 

Exercise - The comma

If the sentence (with the use of the comma) is correct, leave the space blank. If it is incorrect, write it correctly.

Examples

We traveled to Houston, Texas.

I left it blank because the sentence is correct.

I like to eat pizza with cheese, pepperoni and, mushrooms.

 

1. Vanessa said, "I need to give Adrian the book."

 

2. It's a spicy delicious sauce.

 

3. She gave the present to Don not Ron.

 

4. He was born on July, 10 2005.

 

5. Pam works in an office, doesn't she?

 

6. We like to go to the movies, and eat popcorn.

 

7. Kelly said that she would see Frank next week.

 

8. When we go to Gino's Restaurant I always order the lasagna.

 

9. We will have spaghetti salad and bread for dinner.

 

10. Mrs. Gomez who is retiring is an outstanding teacher.

 

11. Tom finished her homework but Ronda couldn't finish hers.

 

12. The name of the doctor is "Larry Wilson, MD."

 

 

Instructions Identify the error in the following sentences and write the corrected version. example He are a teacher. → He is a teacher.  1. A huricane is a very strong tropical storm.   2. Tifoons occur in the Pacific Ocean.   3. Hurricanes, tornados and, floods can cause a lot of damage.   4. A drowt is a long period of time with no rain.   5.  If you are in a thunderstorm stay inside the house.

 

Listening Exercise

 

Advanced English - Lesson 15 - Weather
Vocabulary - Grammar - Listening - Dialogue - Reading - Expressions - Dictation - Game

 

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