Test Yourself

Commas

[Harbrace 17]

Review

• Introduction: Series 
• Co-ordinating and Correlative Conjunctions 
• Clause or Phrase within a Clause 
• Introductory Clause or Phrase 
• Direct Address 
• Parenthetical Expressions 
• Nonrestrictive and Restrictive Elements 
• Other Elements 

Practice Exercises

• Identifying Correctly Punctuated Sentences: Commas

Introduction

Series [Harbrace 17c & 17f(5)]

Use commas to separate the items in a series of words, phrases, or clauses. (The comma before the conjunction at the end of a simple series is optional, but preferable.) 

The cake, the ice cream, and the favours were ready for the guests. 

Commas also separate co-ordinate adjectives in a series when the adjectives modify the same word or word group. 

The tiny, bright candles glowed on the cake. 

Co-ordinating and Correlative Conjunctions [Harbrace 17a & 17f(2)]

Use a comma before a co-ordinating or correlative conjunction that joins independent or main clauses. 

The plane drifted toward the ground, and the crowd gasped as it came closer. 

If the clauses are very brief, the comma may be omitted. 

Love it or leave it. 

Clause or Phrase within a Clause [Harbrace 17d] 

Use two commas to set off a clause or phrase inserted within a main or independent clause. 

The cake, although oozing with frosting, was topped with a clown. 

Introductory Clause or Phrase [Harbrace 17b]

Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase, unless the introduction is very brief (less than 4 or 5 words), and the sentence will be clear without the comma. 

After singing "Happy Birthday," we began to eat the cake.
After singing we began to eat the birthday cake. 

Direct Address [Harbrace 17d(6)]

Use commas to set off a direct address, the name of someone to whom you speak directly. 

You won the first game, Sandy.
Robin, here's your hat. 

Parenthetical Expressions [Harbrace 17d(5) & 17f(3)]

Use commas to set off a parenthetical expression (words inserted in a sentence to clarify the speaker's intention). 

His hat, I'm afraid, has been lost. 

Nonrestrictive and Restrictive Elements [Harbrace 17d & 17f(3) - 17f(4)]

An appositive is a noun or noun phrase placed next to -- in apposition to -- another noun that it identifies or explains.

Set off a nonrestrictive appositive with commas. 

The guests, my friends and roommates, loved playing musical chairs and pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey. 

A restrictive appositive -- one that specifically identifies the preceding noun -- is not enclosed by commas. 

We sang the song "Happy Birthday" one more time. 

Other Elements [Harbrace 17d - 17e]

RESTRICTIVE:
The guests who made the most noise were my best friends. 

Use commas with nonrestrictive elements -- those that add nonessential information to the sentence. 

NONRESTRICTIVE:
The guests, who were all noisy, were my good friends. 

Elements that describe proper nouns are generally nonrestrictive and thus require commas. 

The Baker's Bonanza, located on Main Street, is the best place to buy a birthday cake. 

"That" clauses are generally restrictive; "which" clauses are generally nonrestrictive. 

"THAT" CLAUSE:
The cake that is on the table is loaded with chocolate filling.
(Restrictive -- The clause "that is on the table" explains which cake is being spoken of, and is thus essential to the meaning of the sentence.) 

"WHICH" CLAUSE:
Cake, which is full of calories, is a favourite dessert at our house. (Nonrestrictive -- The fact that the cake contains many calories could be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence.)