Correct Use of Comma - Continued

7. Use commas before and after words in apposition. Words which explain a preceding noun are called appositives.

Ms. Petillo, our office receptionist, will be happy to help you.


An appositive at the end of a sentence is preceded by a comma.

We invited Mr. Corpuz, our biggest advertiser.


Closely related appositives or appositives referred to as words or as expressions are not set off by commas. Such words or expressions are placed in quotation marks or underscored. Material that is underscored in longhand writing or in typewriting is subsequently italicized in printing.

The word credit is often misunderstood.

The phrase wish to advise is trite and colorless.


Such titles as Jr., Sr., and Esq. are treated as appositives.

Mr. Armando P. Salazar, Jr., is our Manager.

Ramon A. Cuba, Esq., is our lawyer.


8. Use commas to set off words in direct address.

We apologize, Mr. Nolasco, that we are unable to accept your offer.

Yes, Tom, I'd like you to start your first delivery now.

9. Use comma to introduce a short, informal quotation.

The customer said, "I believe this is my order."

Material directly quoted is always placed within quotation marks.

Commas and periods when used with quotation marks are always placed inside the quotation marks.

When the quotation is long or formal, a colon may be used.

Our letter read: "Shipment will be made during the week of March 12."


No comma is used after a question mark or after an exclamation point following a quotation.

"When do we close our books?" inquired one of our auditors.

"You've done a wonderful job!" exclaimed my team leader.
(Not: "You've done a wonderful job!", exclaimed my team leader.)


10. Use a comma after a direct quotation when such material introduces the sentence.

"Start tabulating these items," I said.


11. Use two commas when the quoted material is divided or interrupted by the words of the person delivering the quotation.

"Your success in this company," said Mr. Corpuz, "will rest upon your disposition for hard work."


12. Use a comma to set off words or phrases expressing contrast.

The factory workers, not the office staff, are on strike.


13. Use a comma to indicate the omission of a word.

The toy section is on the third floor; the gift section, on the ground floor.


14. Use a comma to separate repetitious words used for emphasis.

Up, up, up went the prices of gasoline.


15. Use a comma to set off addresses and dates.

The address of Elvert dela Rosa is 1980 Sunset Drive, Lakeside Hills, Pasig City.

Our company was started in Cubao, Quezon City, the 3rd day of May, 1972.

No punctuation is used if any one of these elements is used alone. Never place a comma

between the month and the day.

The first package was delivered to Bulacan March 15, 2010.

We shall shut down March 1 for two weeks for our annual vacation.

16. Use a comma between a statement and a short question bearing upon it.

Mr. Santos called, didn't he?

We mailed the documents, didn't we?


17. Use a comma between two identical words or sets of figures that come together.

I told you, you should go.

In 2009, 92 new branch offices were added to our list of outlets.


Some authorities recommend writing out one set of figures where there is likelihood of confusion.

Please send me six 24-inch rods immediately.


18. Use a comma after a mild interjection.

My, but our stocks are depleted.

Well, I didn't think we'd get such a large order.

19. Use the comma after inverted names in bibliographies and reference lists.

Sales, Carlo D.

Corpuz, Arturo F.


20. Use the comma to separate volume, chapter, and page references.

See Volume II, Chapter IV, page 5.


21. Use the comma to point off the thousands in figures of four digits or more, except in serial numbers, that is, year, telephone, house, page, and policy numbers.

7,348     62,597     2,564,356 (But: the year 1985; 412 Pioneer Street; page 782; policy 612414.)

Spaces rather than commas may serve to separate thousands in figures of four digits or more representing policy numbers.

794  862  380  or  B  1  A  907  621

Correct Use of Comma

The comma indicates the weakest break in thought.

1. Use a comma after a dependent (or subordinate) clause, or participial phrase.

When the dependent clause (used adverbially) does not begin the sentence, the comma is usually unnecessary. All group of words introduced by conjunctions such as the following are dependent upon the principal or independent clause for their meaning and therefore come under this rule: because, as, if, although, when, after, as soon as.

Although we have had this money-back guarantee in effect for years, no product has ever been returned.

When you have finished your studies, you may go.

You may go when you have finished your homework. (Here no comma is necessary because the subordinate clause follows the principal clause.)


Having completed my homework, I cleaned my desk and left the classroom.

Among industries producing finished products, the car industry ranks first in value of output.

If this bill is paid within ten days, you are entitled to a five percent discount.

All introductory if clauses are dependent clauses and should be followed by a comma.


2. Use a comma to separate a series of three or more co-ordinate nouns, adjectives, verbs, or adverbs. Short clauses and phrases as well as words may be co-ordinate provided they are equal in rank and used in the same construction.

(a) Commas are used to separate co-ordinate nouns.

Intelligence, industry, drive, and determination make for success in business.

(b) Commas used to separate co-ordinate adjectives.  Adjectives are co-ordinate if the word and can be inserted between them.

Honest, reliable, capable, and industrious employees are always in demand. (These adjectives could be separated by and rather than by commas and are therefore co-ordinative: Honest and reliable and capable . . . .)


(c) Commas used to separate co-ordinate verbs.

We plan, fabricate, erect, and sell our own portable houses.


(d) Commas used to separate co-ordinate adverbs.

Our business has earned a reputation for filling orders accurately, completely, and promptly.


(e) Commas use to separate co-ordinate phrases.

We carry a complete line of men's wear, leather shoes, belts, and accessories.


(f) Commas are used to separate three or more short co-ordinate clauses.

We write our own copy, we prepare our own designs, and we plan our entire sales promotional programs.


Do not use a comma after the last noun in a series.

Steel, chrome, rubber, and lead are rather scarce at present.
( Not: Steel, chrome, rubber and lead, are rather scarce at present.)

Never separate the subject from the predicate by a comma!


Do not use a comma before and  introducing the last member of the series if the last two units are to be treated as one.

We rebuild, overhaul, clean and service all types of engines. (Here no comma is placed before and because the writer considers cleaning and servicing the engine as one integral job.)


Do not use comma when the co-ordinate series consists of two elements only. In other words, do not use comma in compound elements.

The order was received and shipped out the same day. (Not: The order was received, and shipped out the same day.)


3. Use the comma to separate two or more co-ordinate clauses joined by one of the co-ordinating conjunctions and, but, or, nor, for, and the like. If the clauses are short and closely related, a comma is unnecessary.

You may pay cash, or you may open a charge account, if you like.

One half of the corrugated fiber boards will arrive tomorrow, and the rest of the shipment will be delivered on the 10th.

I rang and Miss Castillo answered. (No comma is necessary.)


Do not use a comma after a conjunction unless a parenthetical elements follow.

The carpet will be washed today, but they will not be dry for at least a week. (Not: The rugs will be washed today, but, they will not be dry for at least a week.)

Correct: The costumer selected a laptop, and, believe me, paid for it one hundred bills.

4. Use the comma after such introductory expression as yes, well, no, certainly, indeed, surely, and so forth.

Yes, we shall be glad to send you a blank application.

Surely, you do not have to wait for me.


No comma is needed if a definite time, place, cause, or the like, is indicated.

During the first quarter of the year our sales rose 25 percent.

On the ground floor of the mall you will find neckties, shirts, and belts.


5. Use the comma to set off a nonrestrictive phrase or clause.

In any event, the tables will be delivered before Saturday.

These items, which we have imported, are slightly more expensive than the local merchandise.

Ms. Morilla who has been with us for nearly twenty years, is our store manager.


Restrictive phrases and clauses should not be set off by commas.

The man standing by the first limousine is our fleet manager.

The  secretaries who serve our executives dictate their own letters.

Our plant that is located on the second street is now used for storage.


The meaning of a sentence may be changed by the omission or addition of commas.

Restrictive: Philippine banks which have never failed guarantee the full safety of your investment. (Here the writer states that only banks that have never failed make the guarantee. He excludes all that have failed.)

Nonrestrictive or explanatory: Philippine banks, which have never failed, guarantee the full safety  of your investment. (In this sentence, the writer makes a general statement about all Philippine banks - they have never failed.)


6. Use commas to set off parenthetical words, phrases, or clauses when the degree of separation is not great enough to require parentheses or dashes:

indeed, also, finally, still, too, again, and so forth.

It is, indeed, a pleasure to meet you.

Our losses from physical damage to shipments are lower, also.


(b) Set off phrases such as in fact, in the first place, in brief, no doubt, in case, of course, and the like:

I cannot promise, of course, that we can deliver before the vacation period.

We have, in the first place, been told that there will be no wage increase.


(c) Set off clauses such as that is, he says, I believe, she thinks, and so forth:

The price of that television, I believe, is four thousand pesos.

The figurine, the customer says, was broken when it arrived.


Commas are frequently omitted before and after short parenthetical elements such as are mentioned in (a) and (c) whenever they do not require a pause while reading. Therefore, do not assume that an expression is not parenthetical because it is not set off by commas.

Miss Ricafrente is an agent who I believe will make a capable team leader. (Here I believe is parenthetical, but is not set off by commas. Incidentally, if who is not recognized as the subject of will make a capable team leader, it might be erroneously regarded as the object of the parenthetical clause, I believe.)

Use commas only when they are essential to clearness and understanding.

We shall continue the study of the correct use of Comma in my next blog.