Yes, there is an end to comma rules! This is the last post in our series of comma rules. But stay tuned because next week’s post is — When NOT to Use a Comma.
The previous posts in this series are Five Common Uses for Commas, Commas with Introductory Elements, Commas with Interrupters, and More Rules for Commas.
Here we go. Yet more rules for using commas:
Afterthoughts – Use a comma before an afterthought at the end of a sentence. Sometimes the comma seems optional, and you can leave it out. Your choice.
- I am going to France this July, I believe.
- Several people cannot make the meeting, I’m afraid.
- You can ride with me of course.
- He isn’t coming with us after all.
Contrasting Expressions – Use a comma in contrasting expressions; they usually begin with but, not, or rather than.
- I like pizza, but not with anchovies
- She has an older sister and a younger brother, not the other way around.
- Seafood, rather than beef, is what I usually eat.
- Here today, gone tomorrow. (Not technically a sentence, but … you get the idea. It’s like “garbage in, garbage out.”)
When OR begins an explanation rather than a choice – Sometimes or is used to begin an explanation rather than a choice. In such cases, use a comma.
- She is in the high school IB program. or the college preparatory program.
- Are you in the IB program or the vocational program?
To Separate Two of the Same Words Used Consecutively – This rarely happens and should probably be avoided. You can always rewrite a sentence in which you find yourself with two of the same words in a row. If you don’t, however, separate the words with a comma.
- As she explained it, it seemed a bit complicated to me.
- If that is what the situation is, is she going to be able to deal with it?
To Clarify a Sentence in Which a Word Seems to Be Left Out – Sometimes a word is omitted from a sentence (often the word that). Usually the sentence is still clear. However, if it is not, use a comma where that word should be.
- The reason for my hesitation is, my brother is coming to visit.
- I know they are best friends. (I know that they are best friends, but it is still clear written without that.)
- The pencils are in the box over here; the pens, over there.
Unusual Word Order – Sometimes a sentence is written with the words in an unusual order. There is nothing wrong with that, but a comma can make the sentence clearer.
- Why she doesn’t like chocolate, I will never understand.
Emphasis – You can use a comma to emphasize something, but I would not overdo it.
- I agree, wholeheartedly, with your decision to move.
- She, herself, has gotten that entire concert together.
Long Question at the Beginning of a Sentence – If you begin a sentence with a long question, you can use either a comma or a question mark after it. Both examples are correct.
- How are you going to move all that furniture by yourself, is my question.
- How are you going to move all that furniture by yourself? is my question.
Series of Questions in a Sentence – Once again, you can use either commas or question marks if you have a series of questions in a sentence. However, sometimes the implication is a little different, depending on which you choose.
- Who is going to set up the room? deliver the food? greet the guests?
- Who is going to set up the room, deliver the food, greet the guests? (This sentence seems to imply that one person will do all three things.)
Clearing up Confusion – Sometimes we say there are two comma rules: (1) Don’t use a comma unless you have a reason to. (2) Use a comma anywhere not using one would be confusing to the reader! So, wherever something might confuse a reader, a comma may help.
- After eating ants invaded our blanket. After eating ants? After eating, ants invaded our blanket.
- The two dogs were white with black spots, and brown with white feet.
There you have it! I am sure we could think of more comma rules if we really tried, but pretty much all comma uses fit somewhere into the rules that have been presented in the past five posts. Next week: When NOT to use a comma.