COMMA

When the name of the person you are writing to is mentioned in the body of the letter, enclose it in commas.

        Thank you, John, for answering my letter.

        John, I am depending on you to get the order.

        I missed you at the meeting, John.

Use a comma after introductory words and expressions such as however,
therefore, well, yes, no, for example, namely in fact, etc.

        Yes, we will attend the meeting.

        However, we may not arrive on time.

Use commas to enclose words such as however, therefore, of course,
nevertheless, etc. that interrupt a sentence without changing its basic meaning.

        You will, therefore, meet me on time.

        The contract must, of course, be signed by an authorized agent of your
        company.

Use commas to enclose names, titles, dates, or descriptive words that make the meaning of a word or words clear to the reader.

        Our salesman, Mr. Wilson. has been with us for many years.

        Mr. Wilson, our area manager, will call on you.

        I will see you on Thursday, May 25.

        Ants, those annoying picnic companions, are found in many parts of the world.

Insert a comma before the words and, or, nor, for, and yet when they are used to join two complete thoughts in a long sentence.

        There are many jobs available for a good typist, and I know you will get one.

        We would like to have our products on display at the International Trade Show,
        but  we cannot afford the exhibit fee.

        Our next proposal must include a clause for price and wage increases, or we will
        be forced to go out of business.

        I have decided to cancel my subscription to your magazine, for the articles no
        longer interest my family.

        The hotel manager did not confirm our reservations, nor did we receive a
        cancellation in the mail.

        The field was covered with snow and ice. yet two players insisted upon
        completing the game.

Use commas to enclose a group of words that adds information to a sentence but does not affect the meaning of the sentence.

        The booklets, which you may find helpful, were sent out yesterday.

        Mr. Jackson, who has lived in your neighborhood for many years, will sponsor
        you for membership in the club.

DO NOT use the commas to enclose a group of words that restricts or changes the meaning of the sentence.

        Each student who completes this course will know how to use the machine.

        Every letter that has more than five errors should be retyped.

Note: If the underscored words are removed, the meaning of the sentence is completely changed.

When the main part of a sentence is introduced by an incomplete thought
beginning with when, since, because, as, if, or although, use a comma to
separate the incomplete thought from the rest of the sentence.

        When you visit our branch office, Mr. Jones will show you our word processing
        center.

        Since we ordered this machine two months after we spoke to you, we cannot
        understand why there should be a price difference.

        Because we could not agree on the format, our catalog went to the printer three
        weeks  late.

        As you know, there is an additional charge for shipments that are sent by truck.

        If you complete this course, you will have a chance to do a better job.

        Although our supply is limited, your order will be shipped on time.

Use commas to enclose an incomplete thought beginning with since,
if, when, as, although, because, etc. when it falls within a sentence
but does not change the meaning of the sentence.

        John thinks that the early morning, when there is the least smog, is the best
        time to go jogging.

        Florida. because of its mild climate, attracts many visitors.

        The security gate, as you may know, is only open during business hours.

Use a comma to separate a group of words beginning with since, if, when, where, although, etc. when it appears at the end of a sentence to provide additional information but does not change the meaning of the sentence.

        You may order our new model in three weeks, if you don't mind waiting that long.

        We planned to start the meeting at 7 a.m., when the noisemakers would be
        asleep.

        I sent your motor to our repair center, where all defects are repaired in two days.

        The union leaders accepted the contract, although they didn't inform the press.

Use commas to separate two or more words that describe a person, place, or thing.

        He was tall, dark, and handsome.

        Arizona is a hot, dry, dusty state.

        The long, narrow, winding road might intimidate a new driver.

Use a comma to separate a series of words of group of words.

        I received your purchase order for staples, paper clips, index cards, and pencils.

        We arrived at the airport, waited on line, picked up the tickets. and missed the
        flight.

        Our Promotional package was designed to fit on top of Your counter, inside your
        showcase, or in your display window.

Use a comma to separate words that would be missed without the comma.

        To John, the boss seemed very unfair.

        Soon alter, he decided to quit his job.

Use a comma to enclose a group of words that stands apart and delivers only its own meaning.

        The meetings having ended, the salesmen went out for cocktails.

        She entered the office, application in hand, to apply for the job.

Use a comma to separate two contrasting items.

        1 ordered 50 cots, not 15.

        Put your eraser on the desk, not the typewriter.

        The more I try, the less I succeed.