Q&A for How to Use Commas

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Where should a comma be placed in the sentence "Sadly I was unable to find my lost shoe"?

Community Answer

Place it after "sadly," the introductory element.

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Question

Is a comma used after the word also?

Community Answer

It depends on how you use it in a sentence, if you want to show the reader to have a slight pause, you put a comma. So it would look like: Also, we need groceries. OR But we also need cheese.

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Question

Should a comma be used after "recently" in the sentence that begins, "Recently, a minister questioned..." ?"

Community Answer

Yes. "Recently" is an introductory element, like "unsurprisingly" under Method 4.

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Question

Is the comma correct in the sentence "Elizabeth is my full name, but I go by Liza?"

Community Answer

Yes. Commas are used before coordinating conjunctions when there is a complete sentence before and after the conjunction.

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Question

"Did the neighbor or anyone else ever see this abuse?"

Donagan

Top Answerer

No comma needed.

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Question

Is this sentence correct? "You're confusing me, Sir."

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes.

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Question

What is the proper comma usage in the sentence "Please let me know how I, can assist you further."?

Community Answer

There should be no comma. "Please let me know how I can assist you further."

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Question

Is a comma used in the sentence "in 1999 I married my love, Fred Weber, a graduate from Cleveland High?"

Community Answer

Yes. "In 1999, I married my love, Fred Weber, a graduate from Cleveland High." You need a comma because "In 1999" is an introductory element.

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Question

Is my use of commas in the following sentences correct? "Happy Father's Day, Dad! I love you, Tommy!"

Community Answer

Your use of commas is correct in the first sentence but not the second sentence. You should write 'I love you. Tommy', not I love you, Tommy. If you used a comma, it would be too confusing because it would seem like you're telling Tommy that you love him.

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Question

Are commas used before end words like "too" or "either?" eg. "me, too" or "me, either."

Community Answer

It depends on the context. If those are the only words, the answer is yes, except for "too." Never separate "me" and "too."

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Question

Do I use a comma with because? Example: "Cellphones should not be allowed in school, because they distract students."

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes, a comma is used when "because" acts as a conjunction joining two independent clauses (as in your example). An exception is sometimes made when both clauses are short: "I like you because you're nice." As with all punctuation, the goal is to promote clarity.

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"Did you receive the email with the diagnostic mammogram attached, for the patient that the surgeon was requesting an MRI?" Did I use the comma correctly?

Donagan

Top Answerer

No, the comma is not needed. Also it would be better to say, "...for the patient for whom the surgeon..."

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Question

In a list where there are commas separating items, example: apples, oranges, grapes, and bananas, why do I need a comma before "and"? Doesn't the word "and" replace a comma?

Donagan

Top Answerer

There is distinct disagreement on this point, running largely along national lines. Your best bet is to follow the rules generally observed in your locale.

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Question

Happy birthday, Bill. Is that right?

Community Answer

Great use of a comma! And correct! With modern technology sometimes limiting the number of characters a person can use when communicating, people often forget to include necessary punctuation. But not you! Your punctuation skills are awesome.

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Question

"If you discriminate you labor for nothing." Is there a comma after "discriminate"?

Community Answer

Yes. "If/then" statements have commas. Add an imaginary "then" to see if the sentences makes sense. If it does, it needs a comma.

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Question

Where would I place the comma in this sentence: "The fact that you do not like much music does not prove anything."

Community Answer

No comma is required in that sentence.

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Question

Should there be a comma before "&" in this: "What, When, Where, & How"?

Community Answer

There is always a huge argument when it comes to the use of the Oxford comma (the comma before the "&"). Although it is technically optional, I always use the Oxford comma, just to make sure there is as little room for misinterpretation as possible.

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Question

Is comma placement correct? "He had been seen, in the past, by a local physician, in the emergency room."

Donagan

Top Answerer

No commas are needed in that sentence.

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Question

Are these commas correct? "At around 1380 Chaucer wrote some of his best-known works such as, 'The Parliament of Foules,' which is now interpreted."

Donagan

Top Answerer

No comma is required after "such as." The second comma is OK if the clause that follows is non-defining.

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Question

Would I place a comma between "Fooled, again."

Donagan

Top Answerer

No.

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Question

Do I need comma between two parts of the question: "What copybook do I need, and do I...?"

Donagan

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Yes, it's proper to place a comma after the first question.

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Question

"Cellphones should not be allowed in school because if kids have cellphones, they would be distracted in class, with social media." Are the commas correct in this sentence?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Put a comma after "school." The comma after "cellphones" is correct. No comma is necessary after "class."

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Question

"Regrettably, my attempts to recreate this heavenly fudge do not even come close!" OK?

Donagan

Top Answerer

That comma is OK.

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Question

Should a comma be placed before the word "at"? Example: Please contact Ms. Jones, Manager, at 404-123-4567.

Community Answer

Yes. The commas are separating the title "manager" which is a non-restrictive modifier (2.2 above).

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Question

"Michael Moore's movie, Roger & Me, launched his career as a filmmaker." Is this correct?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Commas are not needed when the added information (such as the movie title) is essential to the meaning of the sentence (as it is in this case). You should use quotation marks around the title (or italicize it).

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Question

Do I need a comma after "as a result, of an unsatisfactory?"

Community Answer

No, you do not need a comma there.

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Question

Which of the following is correct? "I know you have it, just give it to me" or "I know you have it just give it to me."

Donagan

Top Answerer

I know you have it. Just give it to me.

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Question

Is a comma needed in "Please ask any questions you may have, as this is important"?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes, use the comma. Here "as" is a conjunction joining two independent clauses, so a comma precedes it.

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Question

"I saw a scary movie 'Haunting Doll' in LA Theater." Do I have to use any commas?

Donagan

Top Answerer

Yes, place commas after "movie" and after "Doll."

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Question

Is the correct placement of commas? "As you know, I saw him last year on the 28th of April for similar complaints, and, at the time, the examination showed no findings."

Donagan

Top Answerer

The first two commas are correct. The last two are not needed, although some writers do use them.

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