comma

(noun)

Punctuation mark, usually indicating a pause between parts of a sentence or between elements in a list.

Related Terms

Examples of comma in the following topics:

  • Introduction to Commas

    • For some adverbs, using a comma is optional.
    • They do not require any commas.
    • Nonrestrictive appositives do require commas.
    • The final comma, the one before and or or, is known as a serial comma (also called the Oxford or Harvard comma).
    • Commas should also be used when writing dates.

  • Common Comma Mistakes

    • By understanding the rules of correct comma usage, you can avoid common comma errors.
    • Comma usage errors fall into two categories: using unnecessary commas and failing to use necessary commas.
    • To avoid making errors when using commas in your writing, you must understand when commas belong (and when they don't).
    • This is called a disruptive comma.
    • A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (that is, two complete sentences) are joined only by a comma.

  • Eliminating Comma Splices and Fused Sentences

    • A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (or in other words, two clauses that each express a complete thought and could stand on its own as a full sentence) are joined only by a comma instead of an acceptable form of punctuation, such as a comma with a coordinating conjunction, a period or a semicolon.
    • You can use a coordinating conjunction following the comma, and this also will indicate a relationship.
    • Fixing run-on sentences is very similar to fixing comma splices:
    • You can use a coordinating conjunction and a comma, and this also will indicate a relationship.
    • Identify comma splices and list the options for correcting the error

  • Overall Structure and Formatting of an MLA Paper

    • MLA style does not have specific rules for the formatting of series and lists, beyond mandating the use of the Oxford comma.
    • As is standard in most style guides, use semicolons rather than commas to separate the elements of the series if at least one of the elements includes a comma somewhere within it (known as an “internal comma”).
    • The Oxford comma (also called the serial comma) is the comma that comes after the second-to-last item in a series or list.
    • In the above sentence, the comma immediately after "Wales" is the Oxford comma.
    • In general writing conventions, whether the Oxford comma should be used is actually a point of fervent debate among passionate grammarians.

  • APA: Series and Lists

    • If you are including a simple, relatively short list of three to five items within a paragraph—also known as a series—the proper formatting is to: (a) precede the list with a comma, (b) label each item with a lowercase letter enclosed in parentheses, and (c) separate each item with commas or semicolons.
    • As is standard in most style guides, use semicolons rather than commas to separate the elements of the series if at least one of the elements includes a comma somewhere within it (known as an “internal comma”).
    • However, the same rules of capitalization and of using commas or semicolons to separate the elements apply.
    • If this is the case, each element should end with a period, rather than a comma or semicolon, and should begin with a capital letter.

  • Overall Structure and Formatting of a Chicago/Turabian Paper

    • The Oxford comma (also called the serial comma) is the comma that comes after the second-to-last item in a series or list.
    • In the above sentence, the comma immediately after "Wales" is the Oxford comma.
    • In general writing conventions, whether the Oxford comma should be used is actually a point of fervent debate among passionate grammarians.

  • Overall Structure and Formatting of an APA Paper

    • The Oxford comma (also called the serial comma) is the comma that comes after the second-to-last item in a series or list.
    • In the above sentence, the comma immediately after "Wales" is the Oxford comma.
    • In general writing conventions, whether the Oxford comma should be used is actually a point of fervent debate among passionate grammarians.

  • APA: The References Section

    • You should present the author information in the following order and format: the author's last name (capitalized), a comma, the author's first initial, then a period, and finally their middle initial and period (if given):
    • This article has multiple authors, so we list them in the same order in which they are listed in the source, and in the same format as before (last name, first initial, middle initial), separated by commas.
    • Here we have only two authors, but if we had five, the ampersand would come before the fifth author's last name, after the comma following the fourth author's name.
    • Include the title of the journal in italicized title case (all major words capitalized, as in the title of a book), followed by a comma:
    • Then follow it with a comma.

  • Semicolons

    • Semicolons, like colons and commas, indicate pauses within a sentence to show relationships between words and clauses.
    • Semicolons also link clauses of equal importance, but unlike commas, do not always require a coordinating conjunction.

  • Chicago/Turabian (NB): The Bibliography Section

    • You should present the author information in the following order and format: the author's last name (capitalized), a comma, the author's first name (capitalized), the author's middle initial (if given), and then a period:
    • Here we have only two authors, but if we had five, the "and" would come before the fifth author's last name, after the comma following the fourth author's name.
    • If an issue number is provided in addition to the volume number, as it is here, add a comma after the volume number, the abbreviation "no