Comma Usage

[nucky]

Nothing is more evil than the comma when it comes to grammar. I decided to give everyone a little help!



Use a comma

After an introductory adverbial phrase

In the dog house, Otis gnawed on his bone.
After work, Dad bought us all ice cream.

After a dependent clause

Since I stole his cookie, John was hungry.
If I let him keep his cookie, he wouldn't have hit me.

Between two independent clauses with a conjunction

I ran through the forests, but I fell in the creek.

In a series

I want eggs, milk, and ham on my sandwich.

Between this, not that

That is a good example of foolishness, not bravery.

To set off a non-restrictive appositive

Martha, my Aunt, bought me five ducks.
I gave a mouse to Samuel, my cat.

To set off a non-restrictive modifying phrase

My brother, who ate all the food in the pantry, was sick with a stomach ache.

Do not use a comma

in a compound predicate

I finished my beans and walked the dog

With a restrictive appositive

I read the novel Flowers for Algernon.
I gave a teddy bear to my Grandpa Mike.

With a restrictive modifying phrase

I see a dog that is lying in the street.

^_^ Yay!!!
Grammar!