Problems with Commas

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Okay. So some of you have been bugging me about commas. While you should have learned this by now (or looked it up) sometimes it takes a little more practice. So:

Commas are used to separate a series of words or phrases. In writing (as in comedy) we usually adhere to the rule of three. Three objects or examples are separated by commas and a conjunction. You may use more in a series, but three is usually the best number:
  • Birds, bees, and trees. 
  • Actors, dancers, and creative writing majors. 
  • She danced a jig, made a macaroni necklace, and ran a marathon all in one day!
Commas are used for coordinating adjectives. If you use two adjectives to describe a noun (and if a conjunction fits nicely between the words), you use a comma between them:
  • He was a tired, weary man. (He was a tired AND weary man.)
  • She was a nice, courteous teacher. (She was a nice AND courteous teacher.)
Use a comma to join two or more independent clauses (sentences that can stand on their own as complete!) to form a compound sentence. The comma comes before the conjunction.
  • Janice studied sculpting, but Henrietta studied Janice.
A comma can be used to separate an adjective phrase.
  • Feeling as though he was superior, Andrew told the cashier to back up off his grill.
A comma can be used after an introductory phrase that tells WHY, WHEN, HOW, or WHERE.
  • If we get to the end, begin the book again. 
  • During the 7th inning stretch, Melissa lost her wallet.
  • As if by a thunderbolt, the sound shook the heavens above.
  • Wherever you go, I am there as well.
A comma is used at the end of dialogue when followed by a tag.
  • "Wherever you go, I am there as well," she said.
A comma is used when interrupting or digressing:
  • He didn't know, however, that smoking is bad for one's health. (The phrase or word separated by commas can be omitted without losing any meaning in the sentence: He didn't know that smoking is bad for one's health.)
A comma is used as an appositive:
Bengal tigers, a rare species, eat meat exclusively.  (The appositive can be completely removed and the sentence would still make sense!: Bengal tigers eat meat exclusively!)

For those of you who want it--take a gander at this link and complete the self-directed test for commas: Major Comma Uses.

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