Commas: Dos and don'ts

By Dick Thien
Chips Quinn Writing Coach

DO'S

1. Do remember that a second comma is needed when you use an appositive (a descriptive phrase following a noun). You need to create another mental red flag for this, because the omission is common.

Not: Robert Jones, who was arrested Friday on a robbery charge was arraigned Monday morning.

But: Robert Jones, who was arrested Friday on a robbery charge, was arraigned Monday morning.

2. Do use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase, unless it is short.

EXAMPLES:
According to Philadelphia police, Jones had . . .
While waiting for a train to Baltimore, he had . . .

3. Do use a comma between coordinate clauses, unless they are short.

EXAMPLES:
Jones walked down the aisle to the ticket window, and police closed in.
Police said a gun was found in his pocket, and he was booked for illegal possession of a firearm.

4. Do use a comma to show that someone is being addressed directly. Note how the comma or lack of it changes the meaning in these two sentences:

I don't know why I called you, Ray.
I don't know why I called you Ray.

DONT'S

1. As a rule, do not use a comma to separate a prepositional phrase from the word it modifies.

In most instances, this is self evident. No one would use punctuation in phrases like man of steel or house on the hill. But in some constructions, the temptation is there. For newspaper writers, the most likely error will come in handling addresses. When the preposition "of" is used between a person's name and address, do not use a comma after the address.

Not: John Jones, 44, of 666 W. Broadway, died . . .

But: John Jones, 44, of 666 W. Broadway died . . .

2. Do not use a comma to separate a verb from its subject. The exception is when a parenthetical element intervenes. Remember that the subject and verb together make a single statement, and you do not want to divide the two words with a punctuation mark. This error occurs most often when a writer creates a sentence having one subject and two verbs.

Not: She tried everything she could think of that was genteel, and finally kicked his head in.

But: She tried everything she could think of that was genteel and finally kicked his head in.

She is the subject and the compound verbs are could and kicked. A comma after genteel, then, separates she from kicked.

3. Except where needed for clarity, do not use a comma before the "and" in a series. This rule, followed by almost all newspapers, unfortunately runs counter to the rule taught in almost all English classes and in The Elements of Style. Therefore, you will have to remember to switch back and forth, depending upon what teacher you are writing for.

Not: For breakfast, he had eggs, bacon, toast, and juice.

But: For breakfast, he had eggs, bacon, toast and juice.

When a series is made up of clauses or phrases, a comma before the "and" might help clarity, as in:

Clinton proposed a continued reduction in the rate of spending, removal of what he called unproductive regulations, preservation of the tax cuts, and decentralization of welfare and health programs.

Lastly,

Do use commas between equal adjectives in a series, but do not use them between unequal ones. The test of equality: mentally place an "and" between the two adjectives. If it fits, then use a comma because the adjectives have equal weight. If it does not make sense, then omit the comma.

DO EXAMPLE:
The hot, tasty sandwich (because "and" could substitute: The hot and tasty)

DON'T EXAMPLE:
The green barn roof (because "and" will not substitute: The green and barn roof)

TRICKY PAIRS

Stationary      Stationery
To stand still is to be stationary. Paper used for letter writing is stationery.

Statue      Statute
These two words are mixed mainly through carelessness. Most know that a statue is a three-dimensional piece of art and that a statute is a law.

SPELLING WORDS
desirable
develop (no ending e)
propeller
traveling, traveler, traveled

About the column

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