Comma - ,

This section of Exploring English describes the English comma ( , ).

Used to set off three or more elements of a series:

The flag was red, white, and blue.

Note: Some writers prefer to omit the final comma. This is optional, at best, but beware that you do not stumble into a sentence like the following:

The two-toned balloons were blue and red, yellow and purple and black and white.

Used to set off asides, or nonrestrictive clauses:

The car, which happened to be red, drove through the kitchen.

Used to separate introductory and transitional words and phrases:

However, all is not lost.

Used to separate clauses in a compound sentence:

The task was great, but the rewards were even greater.

Used to separate quoted matter from the rest of the sentence:

The instructor said, "Take a break."

Last Modified April 08, 2003