Memorize these three basic comma
rules. They will get you through most
situations. Google if you are not sure
and you don’t have a handy reference guide at home.
I am going to use sentences from
T.S. Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book of
Practical Cats for examples.
Since he sometimes used poetic license with his punctuation, I may
sometimes use prose license and make some small changes.
Parenthetical Clause: “Parenthetical clause” is a big phrase for
something in your sentence that can be removed without changing its basic meaning. Usually the extra words are there to add some
flavor. Use one comma in place of an
opening parenthesis and another comma in place of a closing parenthesis.
If the parenthesis would be at the
very beginning or very end of the sentence, do not put the comma at the
beginning or the end.
Comma before and after the clause
The reason, I tell you, is always
the same.
Comma after the introductory clause
As she finds that the mice will not
ever keep quiet, she is sure it is due to irregular diet;
Comma before the closing clause
Her coat is of a tabby kind, with tiger
stripes and leopard spots.
Joining two sentences with a conjunction: A conjunction is a
connecting word, such as and, but, or so. If you have a comma after
the conjunction, both sentences must be complete sentences. A complete sentence must have a subject and
verb.
Comma
He likes to lie in the bureau drawer,
but he makes such a fuss if he can’t get out.
No comma
They like to practice their airs and graces and wait for the
Jellicle Moon to rise.
Series: A series of words separated by commas, conjunctions,
or both.
Comma
He has lunched at the Tomb on
cabbage, rice pudding, and mutton.
No comma
Jellicle Cats are black and white.
References: The best reference book to keep at
your computer’s side is the Gregg
Reference Manual by William A. Sabin, available at Amazon.com. You should also add to your personal library OldPossum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliott, too.
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