COMMA USAGE
Amber Huett June 2011
UNA Center for Writing Excellence 1
Using commas can be tricky, especially if you have heard differing opinions on comma usage in the past.
However, some rules are always the same. Use commas:
When listing a series of items
I speak English, Spanish, and French.
David, Leigh, and Robert want to learn a new language.
When using a conjunction (and, or, but, nor, for, so, yet) to combine two sentences
I speak Spanish, but I am also fluent in French.
I am learning French, and I hope to travel to Paris.
After using an introductory phrase (look for dependent clause markers such as when or after)
When learning a new language, practice is essential.
After you learn one new language, learning another is easy.
To encompass a non-essential phrase (a phrase that provides additional information but does not
change the structure of the sentence)
Mary, my friend from French class, is majoring in Spanish.
Dr. Brown, who is a chemistry professor, was born in France.
To encompass an interrupting phrase
I can help you with Spanish or, if you prefer, show you some good books.
It is true, isn’t it, that French and Spanish are both Romance languages.
To set off a direct address word
Yes, I enjoy learning new languages.
You must take a foreign language, Kayla, in order to earn a B.A.
To separate multiple adjectives
I found some quick, simple guides for learning French.
We watched a long, boring movie in Spanish class.
To set off quotations
She asked, “Is it useful to know Spanish when we live so close to Mexico?”
“Grammar between English and French is very similar,” he said.
Many writers use commas throughout their sentences without having a real reason. You should never use
a comma unless you have a definitive reason for doing so. Do not use commas:
To join two sentences without a conjunction; this is called a comma splice
I learned French two years ago, it was difficult.
I hope to travel Europe, I need to save my money.
Instead:
I hope to travel to Europe. I need to save money.
To separate the subject of a sentence from the verb
Learning Spanish, was hard work.
Mary, went to the French Riviera.
Instead:
Mary went to the French Riviera.
To separate a verb from an object
I read a book that described, the French Revolution.
Most citizens of Spain and France are, members of the Catholic Church.
