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Comma usage is one of the most complex, and most misunderstood, questions
of proper punctuation. In some cases there are widely accepted rules
governing comma usage; in a few cases, there is more than one acceptable
approach. Students often think it's silly to worry about things such
as punctuation: after all, isn't the legal analysis what really counts?
However, when one applies for a job or submits written work to a
supervisor, nothing will leave a more negative impression
than ignorance of the basic rules of punctuation. After all, the last
thing a senior attorney wants to do is correct a junior attorney's comma
usage. |
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1.
When you begin a sentence with a phrase or dependent clause to introduce a
subsequent independent clause, separate the clauses with a comma. |
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2. Use commas to set
off a nonrestrictive clause in the middle of a sentence, but not to set off a
restrictive clause. Nonrestrictive clauses tell you something about the
subject of a sentence, but they do not limit, or restrict, the meaning.
Restrictive clauses, on the other hand, limit the possible meaning of the
subject. Compare the following examples.
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3.
Use two commas to
set off an appositive or an aside in the midst of a sentence. An appositive is
a word or phrase that describes a noun it follows. An aside tells us something
about the noun, but is not essential to defining the noun.
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4. Use two commas, not
one, to set off a nonrestrictive clause in the middle of a sentence. |
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5. Place a comma after
a transitional word that introduces a sentence. The following are examples of
commonly used transitional words: accordingly, furthermore, however, moreover,
therefore, and thus.
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6. When using commas to
separate items in a list, place a comma before the conjunction that precedes
the last separate item in the list, unless that last item is a compound term.
Many people are taught not to place a comma before a conjunction preceding the
last item in a list (such as, "red, white and blue"). However, while popular,
this approach runs the risk of creating ambiguity in a number of situations.
Consider the following.
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7. Use a comma to
separate two adjectives that modify the same noun, but do not use a comma if
the first of two adjectives modifies the second adjective, but not the noun.
In considering this choice, ask yourself whether the two adjectives can be
reversed. If they can, as in the first example below, separate them with a
comma. If they can not, as in the second example below, do not use a comma. |
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8. Do not use a comma
to replace the word "that." |
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9. As a general rule,
do not use a comma to separate the parts of a double predicate, unless the
sentence would be confusing without it, or the second part of the double
predicate requires special emphasis. A double predicate exists where the
sentence has one subject and two verbs related to that subject. (Please read
rule 10 of this section as well.)
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10. When joining two independent clauses with a conjunction,
place a comma before the conjunction. Conjunctions include the words
"and," "but," "or," "nor," and "yet."
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11. Generally, use
a comma before "which" but not before "that." Although some writers use
"which" to introduce a restrictive clause, the traditional practice is to use
"that" to introduce a restrictive clause and "which" to introduce a
nonrestrictive clause. When writing a restrictive clause, do not place a comma
before "that." When writing a nonrestrictive clause, do place a comma before
"which."
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12. Place commas inside, not outside, quotation marks. Follow this
practice ether or not the comma is part of the original quotation. The
general rule is that commas and periods should be inside the quotation
marks at all times, while all other forms of punctuation, such as question
marks, colons, semicolons, and exclamation points, should be outside the
quotation marks, unless they were contained in the original quotation.
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13. Use two commas when setting off dates and places. When using
a full date (month, date, year) or multi-part geographical designation
(such as city and state or city and country), use two commas around the
last part of the designation. |
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 A. These are a few samples of the
wrong use of a comma.
Because the witness was unavailable the judge allowed the introduction of the
testimony pursuant to an exception to the hearsay rule.
After many
years as a criminal prosecutor she ascended to the bench.
The city, a
polyglot of different races and religions provided many opportunities for
cultural exchange.
Accordingly
he granted the motion to dismiss.
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