Tip #9 - Comma Rules, Part Two

Following are a couple more simple comma rules that students need to master.

#1 - Serial words are set off with commas. For example, commas separate multiple adjectives before a noun, but a comma is not used between the final adjective and the noun.

John was a tall, slender, athletic boy.

NOT John was a tall, slender, athletic, boy.

On the other hand, when the serial adjectives compose a series using the word and, the comma is included before (not after) and. For example:

John was tall, slender, and athletic.

This also is true for series of phrases. For example:

Betty was in charge of sweeping the floor, setting up the chairs, and arranging the refreshments.

The final comma in these instances is called a serial comma. Most standard American English writing calls for its use. However, it is omitted in journalistic writing. And the British tend to leave it out altogether.

#2 - In compound sentences a comma is placed before the conjunction (and, nor, but, yet, for, so). Examples:

We wanted to go swimming, but the rain made it impossible.

COMMA - “BUT”

Elaine had seen the movie, yet she could not remember the plot.

COMMA - “YET”

This rule is similar to the rule of separating independent and dependent clauses in a complex sentence with a comma (see Tip #8).

For most writing tasks the rules in this tip and the previous one will help students avoid common errors in using commas. There are a couple more rules, and there are nuances that may be applied to these four. But these rules cover the basics for most descriptive and expository writing.