6.2: Comma Rules and the Search/Find Tool

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Introduction

This is not a comprehensive document regarding comma rules. The comma rules listed here are the most common errors found in writing. Other comma rules exist and can be found in an English handbook or online.

Rule No. 1: Coordinating Conjunctions and Commas

Compound sentence structures include a sentence + a coordinating conjunction + another sentence. It requires a comma before the coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet). Put your finger on the conjunction in the sentences below, and see if a sentence can be found on both sides of it. If the conjunction joins two sentences, then you need a comma before the conjunction. If one side is not a sentence, then a comma is not placed before the coordinating conjunction.

Examples
I called my friend Ginny, and she agreed to meet me after work.
I called our plumber Jack, but he was unable to help me fix our leaky faucet.

Use the Search/Find Tool to find the coordinating conjunctions in your writing:

Rule No. 2: Subordinating Conjunctions and Commas

If a sentence begins with a subordinate conjunction, then it needs a comma after the introductory phrase. See the list below for subordinating conjunctions. Notice in the sentences below, the comma is in the middle of the sentence between the introductory phrase and the main part of the sentence. It is not directly after the subordinating conjunctions.

Examples
After Ginny and I had supper together, we went to a movie.
When Jack couldn’t fix our leaky faucet, we called Henry.

Use the Search/Find Tool to find the subordinating conjunctions in your writing:

According to
After
Although
As
As soon as
Because
By the time
Even if
Even though
If
In case
In order that
Just in case
Once
Since
Until
When
Whenever
Where
Whereas
Wherever
Whether or not
While

Rule No. 3: Lists of Nouns and Adjectives and Commas

When three or more nouns appear in a list in a sentence, they need commas. When three or more adjectives appear in a list in a sentence, they need commas. Without commas, meaning can be misunderstood.

Examples
Mikayla likes eating fish, salads, and vegetables.
She is talkative, kind, and thoughtful.

Use the Search/Find Tool to find the connecting words used in lists:

Rule No. 4: Transitional Words and Commas

Some transitional words require commas no matter where they appear in sentences.

If the transitional word is at the beginning of the sentence, the comma comes after it.

Example
However, your answer is incorrect.

If the transitional word is at the end of the sentence, the comma comes before it.

Example
Your answer is incorrect, however.

If the transitional word is in the middle of the sentence, commas go on both sides of the transitional word(s).

Example
Your answer, however, is incorrect.

Use the Search/Find Tool to find the following transitional words and phrases:

Also
As a result
Consequently
Finally
First
For example
For instance
For this purpose
For this reason
Furthermore
However
In addition
In conclusion
In contrast
In fact
In other words
In summary
Meanwhile
Nevertheless
Next
On the one hand
On the other hand
Otherwise
Second
Subsequently
Therefore
Thus
Third
To sum up
To summarize

Comma Rules and the Search/Find Tool. Authored by: Linda Frances Lein, M.F.A. License: CC BY: Attribution