USES OF THE COMMA

USES OF THE COMMA

The comma is used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence.

Uses of the comma

Before and after words used in apposition to a noun

·         Winston Churchill, the statesman, was also an eminent writer.
Janaki, my sister, is an eminent cardiologist.

To separate two or more nouns, adjectives, or adverbs that come together

·         England, Russia and France formed an alliance.

To separate a participial phrase

·         Feeling tired, I went to bed.

·         Being fat, she couldn’t run fast.

To mark off a noun

·         James, can we bank on him?

·         Mary, have your meals.

·         John, come here.

After an introductory phrase or clause

·         To be honest, I have little interest in politics.

·         For God’s sake, leave me alone.

·         In the name of justice, be fair to that poor man.

To indicate the omission of a verb in cases where repetition should be avoided

·         My brother bought a watch and my sister, a camera. (= My brother bought a watch and my sister bought a camera.)

Before and after words or phrases let into the body of a sentence

·         She had, surprisingly, paid for everything.

·         The boy had, in spite of all the hardships he faced, managed to succeed.

To separate a subordinate clause from the main clause

·         After he had finished his job, he went out.

·         When I opened the door, the cat jumped in.

The comma can be omitted when the subordinate clause goes after the main clause.