Commas are similar to amber lights in traffic signals; amber lights signal drivers to slow down and proceed with caution. Similarly, a comma indicates the reader to pause. A comma is used to perform a number of functions. By Arundathie Abeysinghe Lecturer in English International Aviation Academy SriLankan Airlines

1. By Arundathie Abeysinghe
Lecturer in English
International Aviation Academy
SriLankan Airlines
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2. Use commas to separate words and word groups with a
series of three or more
e.g.
Share these chocolates with your sister, your brother,
and your cousin
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3. Use commas before the name or title of a person directly
addressed
e.g: Will you, Amanda, return that book before Friday?
Can you, Peter, finish the assignment soon?
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4. Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the
year and after the year
e.g.:
Brian met his wife on September 28, 2009, in Boston.
Exception
If any part of the date is omitted, leave out the comma
e.g.:
Brian met his wife in 2009.
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5. Use a comma to separate the city from the state
e.g. I live in Manhattan , New York.
 She lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
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6. Use a comma to separate two adjectives
e.g. She is a young, beautiful girl.
 If the word and is inserted between the two adjectives, do
not use a comma
e.g She is a young and beautiful girl.
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7. Use a comma after phrases of more than three words that
begin a sentence
e.g. On January 1, people all over the world celebrate the
New Year.
To get good results, you must study hard.
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8. Use a comma to separate a city from a state
e.g. She has been working in Annapolis, Maryland, during
the last 5 years.
If a two letter capitalized form is used in a sentence, a
comma is not necessary.
e.g. She is working in Annapolis, MD during the last 5 years.
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9. Use a comma to separate independent clauses joined by a
coordinating conjunction (and, but, so, yet, for, or, nor)
e.g. I have finished studying, but I will not attend the party.
I may accept your business proposal, or I may reject it.
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10. Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt
sentence flow
e.g. He is, as mentioned earlier, the best person to do this
job.
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11. Use commas to surround degrees or titles used
with names
e.g. Monica Wetzel, M.D., was in College with Azar Sr. and
Mike Stuart II.
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12. Use a comma when starting a sentence with a weak clause
e.g. If she is not attending the meeting, please inform the
secretary.
Do not use a comma if the sentence starts with a strong
clause followed by a weak clause
e.g. Please inform the secretary if she is not attending the
meeting.
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13. Use a comma when an adjective (-ly) is used with other
adjectives
e.g. Liza is a lovely, beautiful girl.
 Aditya is a lively, handsome boy.
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14. Use a comma to separate words and word groups (with a
series of three or more)
e.g. Nelly divided 20 exercise books among her sister,
brother, cousins, and her friend.
NOTE: If the comma is omitted after cousins, it would mean
that cousins and the friend have to divide the exercise books
among themselves.
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15. Use commas to introduce or interrupt direct quotations
shorter than three lines
e.g. “Where,” she asked “Do you hope to build the house?’
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16. Use a comma surrounding words such as however and
therefore when they are used as interrupters
e.g. I would be glad, however, to accept your invitation.
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17. Use a comma to separate a statement from a question.
e.g. I can swim in the pool, can’t I?
 You said you can drive, can’t you?
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18. Use a comma when beginning sentences with introductory
words – now, well, yes etc.
e.g. Well, I decided not to attend the meeting.
 Yes, I agree with him.
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19. Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence
e.g. This is Monica’s book, not Michelle’s.
 That is Sasha’s car, not Dave’s.
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20. Use a comma to separate items in a list (nouns or
adjectives)
e.g. David bought vegetables, meat, fish, cheese, milk and
chocolates at the supermarket
Misha is a young, beautiful, lively girl.
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21. Thank you!
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