The Comma's Three Jobs
Understand how to use the comma for lists, to separate a dependent clause from an independent clause, and in dialogue.
Read this first
The comma has three jobs. Name the job and the placement follows.
Words you need
- List comma
- Separates items in a list.
- Clause comma
- Marks off a dependent clause that comes first.
- Dialogue comma
- Separates speech from the speech tag.
Worked example
e.g. Place the commas: When the rain stopped we packed bread cheese and fruit
- Work through one job at a time. Start with job two, the clause comma.
- Find the dependent clause: When the rain stopped.
- It comes first, so it needs a comma after it.
- When the rain stopped, we packed...
- Now job one, the list comma. Find the list: bread, cheese, fruit.
- Put a comma between the items.
- ...we packed bread, cheese and fruit.
- Australian style takes no comma before the final and.
- Result: When the rain stopped, we packed bread, cheese and fruit.
Name the job first. The placement follows from it.
Practice
Name the job, then place the comma.
1Which job separates items?with a picture
AnswerThe list comma.
2Does a dependent clause need a comma when it comes second?with a picture
AnswerNo, only when it comes first.
3Add commas: Although it was late we kept goingwith a hint
Need a hint?
Which clause comes first?
AnswerAlthough it was late, we kept going.
4Add commas: I bought apples pears and plumswith a hint
Need a hint?
Find the list.
AnswerI bought apples, pears and plums.
5Add commas: “Wait” she said “I am coming”on your own
Answer“Wait,” she said, “I am coming.”
6Why is a comma joining two full sentences wrong?on your own
AnswerA comma is too weak. Use a full stop, a semicolon or a joining word.
Think about it
1
Why is put commas where you pause unreliable?
One good answerPeople pause differently. The three jobs are a rule; breathing is not.
2
How does a comma change Let's eat Grandma?
One good answerLet's eat, Grandma addresses her. Without it, she is the meal.
Common mistakes
Commas go wherever you would breathe.
A common tip and a poor one. Use the three jobs instead.
A comma can join two sentences.
It cannot. That is the comma splice, and it is the most common punctuation error.