Comma Rules

Examples Help! What is the definition of the Comma?

How do you define the Comma? When to use Commas? What are the rules for using a Comma? The definition of the Comma  punctuation mark is as follows:

 

Punctuation Mark - Definition of a Comma
Definition: The comma is a punctuation mark (,) which is used to indicate the separation of elements within the grammatical structure of a sentence.
Punctuation Mark - Definition of a Comma

When to use the Comma - the Rules

When to use the comma:

  • A series of words or phrases has its parts separated by commas:—"Lying, trickery, chicanery, perjury, were natural to him." "The brave, daring, faithful soldier died facing the foe." If the series is in pairs, commas separate the pairs: "Rich and poor, learned and unlearned, Mohammedan and Buddhist must pass through the same gate."
  • A comma is used before a short quotation: "It was Patrick Henry who said, 'Give me liberty or give me death.'"
  • When the subject of the sentence is a clause or a long phrase, a comma is used after such subject: "That he has no reverence for the God I love, proves his insincerity." "Simulated piety, with a black coat and a sanctimonious look, does not proclaim a Christian."
  • An expression used parenthetically should be enclosed by commas: "The old man, as a general rule, takes a morning walk."
  • Words in apposition are set off by commas: "McKinley, the President, was assassinated."
  • Relative clauses, if not restrictive, require commas: "The book, which is the simplest, is often the most profound."
  • In continued sentences each should be followed by a comma: "Electricity lights our dwellings and streets, pulls cars, trains, drives the engines of our mills and factories."
  • When a verb is omitted a comma takes its place: "Lincoln was a great statesman; Grant, a great soldier."
  • The subject of address is followed by a comma: "John, you are a good man."
  • In numeration, commas are used to express periods of three figures: "Mountains 25,000 feet high; 1,000,000 dollars."

Examples Help - Comma Rules

English Grammar applies rules for standard use of words and how their component parts combine to form sentences. A grammar is also a system for classifying and analyzing the elements of language including inflections, functions, rules and relations in the sentence. This page about when to use the Comma with the rules and guidelines will help with the understanding of this subject.

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  • Definitions, rules, guide, samples and examples of different English Grammar rules - Punctuation marks
  • When to use a punctuation mark
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Comma Rules

Commas - Definition - Define - English Grammar - Punctuation mark - Rules - Grammer - Grammer - Speach - Online - Web - Free - Samples - Sample - Speach - Examples - Example - Online - Web - E-Learning - English Grammar - Grammer - Types - Structure - Sentence - Essential - Rules - Grammatical - Definition - Define - English Grammar - Punctuation mark - Rules - Grammer - Grammer - Speach - Online - Web - Free - Samples - Sample - Speach - Examples - Example - Online - Web - E-Learning - English Grammar - Grammer - Types - Structure - Sentence - Essential - Rules - Grammatical - Written By Linda Alchin