10 Commas MARY ELLEN GUFFEY AND CAROLYN M SEEFER BUSINESS ENGLISH 12e â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Valeri Potapova/Shutterstock L E A R N I N G O U T C O M E S Level ▶ Use commas correctly in series, direct address, and parenthetical expressions ▶ Use commas correctly in punctuating dates, time zones, addresses, geographical items, and appositives â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock Basic Guidelines for Using Commas  Series  Direct Address  Parenthetical Expressions  Dates  Time Zones  Addresses Geographical Items Appositives â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock  Series  Use commas to separate three or more equally ranked elements (words, phrases, or short clauses) in a series  Remember to place a comma before the conjunction introducing the final item in a series â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock  Series Examples Series of Words: He submitted all production, distribution, sales, and financial data Series of Phrases: Government is of the people, by the people, and for the people Series of Clauses: Lee investigated hiring, Kelly studied compensation, and Mark researched benefits Repeated Conjunctions (no commas needed): I copied and Mike collated and Lisa stapled © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock  Direct Address  Direct address occurs when a person is being addressed or spoken to directly, rather than being spoken about  Use commas to set off words and phrases of direct address We assure you, Ms Ortiz, that your bill will be corrected Do you know when the results will be available, Dr Martin? Professor Lacayo, here is my final project â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock  Parenthetical Expressions  Use commas to set off nonessential words, phrases, and clauses  Examples of parentheticals: as a result however needless to say by the way in addition nevertheless consequently in conclusion no doubt finally in fact of course for example in the meantime that is fortunately incidentally yes/no â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock  Parenthetical Expressions Examples By the way, have you made your appointment yet? (Beginning of sentence) You did, no doubt, make payment with a credit card (Middle of sentence) We’ll need an answer immediately, needless to say (End of sentence) Exception: We have no doubt that your plan will succeed © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock  Dates  When dates contain more than one element, use commas to set off the second and following elements A sales record was set November 14 in Chicago (No comma needed for one element.) A sales record was set Wednesday, November 14, in Chicago (Two commas set off second element.) A sales record was set Wednesday, November 14, 2017, in Chicago (Commas set off second and third elements.) In April 2016 we opened a second office (Exception: The comma is omitted in writing month and year only.) â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock  Time Zones  Use commas to set off time zones used with clock times Our virtual meeting will be promptly at 1:30 p.m., PDT His flight left at 11:10 a.m., EST, and arrived in Los Angeles at 1:50 p.m., PST © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 10  Abbreviations  Set off the abbreviations Inc and Ltd with commas if the company’s legal name includes the commas Scandia, Inc., advertised this dining set (Legal name included comma before Inc.) Loblaw Companies Ltd is a Canadian food retailer (Legal name does not include comma before Ltd.) © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 41  Degrees and Professional Designations  Degrees and professional designations following individuals’ names are set off by commas Paul William Murphey, PhD, is the keynote speaker Expert witness Stacy Shergold, CPA, supported the defense â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 42  Numerals  Separate unrelated numerals appearing side by side with commas By 2018, 125 billion purchases will be made annually using mobile devices  Numbers with more than three digits require commas when expressed in U.S format Kith Brooklyn opened the first-ever cereal bar in New York City, serving up 3,000 unique cereal combinations © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 43  Numerals  Calendar years, zip codes, telephone and cell numbers, house numbers, decimals, page numbers, serial numbers, metric numbers, social security numbers, policy numbers, and contract numbers are written without commas Call us at (925) 969-2339 or drop by our office at 4800 Broadway Lane in Concord © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 44  Omitted Words  Use a comma to show the omission of understood words Some employees leave work at p.m.; some, at 5:30 p.m (A comma shows the omission of employees leave work.) â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 45  Contrasting Statements  Use commas to set off contrasting or opposing statements  These expressions are often introduced by such words as not, never, but, and yet The greater the sales, the greater the profits Managers are made, not born â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 46  Clarity and Repeated Words  Use commas to separate words repeated for emphasis and words that may be misread if not separated We had a long, long meeting to iron out differences What it is, is hard work In short, employees must be more courteous â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 47  Short Quotations  Use a comma to separate a short quotation from the rest of the sentence  Use two commas if the quotation is divided into two parts Mark Twain said, “We all have our limitations in the matter of grammar.” “I have never seen a book,” he added, “which had no grammatical defects in it.” © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 48 TRY TRY YOUR YOUR SKILL SKILL Insert needed commas in Speakers included William Lee PhD and Phyllis Wilson CPA , these sentences , , By December 45Professional people had applied for Degree1and Designation our seasonal holiday positions , Numerals â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 49 TRY TRY YOUR YOUR SKILL SKILL Insert needed commas in Last year we hired 120 temporary employees; this year only 50 these sentences , Although tired employees tried to stay Omitted Words alert during the night shift , Clarity â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 50 TRY TRY YOUR YOUR SKILL SKILL Insert needed commas in Portland is the largest city in Maine; it has a population of about 67000 these sentences , Suzy said “Are you sure this is the last Numeral question?” , Short Quotation © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 51 Which is correct? ▶ The actress Amy Adams says Meryl Streep is the best actress in films OR ▶ The actress Amy Adams, says Meryl Streep, is the best actress in films See the difference? â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 52 Which is correct? ▶ Mr Lee, the secretary is two hours late OR ▶ Mr Lee, the secretary, is two hours late See the difference? © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 53 Which is correct? ▶ I’m hungry so let’s eat John OR ▶ I’m hungry so let’s eat, John See the difference? â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning © 2017 Cengage Learning® May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 54 “Writing is an exploration You start with nothing and learn as you go.” – E L Doctorow, American author/editor/ professor (1931-2015) â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning â 2017 Cengage Learningđ May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use management system for classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock 55 © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock ... Phrases  Verbal phrases that precede main clauses are followed by commas  Prepositional phrases containing verb forms are also followed by commas To complete the job, we must work overtime Hoping... (No comma) We are usually open from 10 until 5, although we can make special arrangements if necessary (Dependent clause adds nonessential information—set off by comma) © 2017 Cengage Learning®... classroom use © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock © Larysa Ray/Shutterstock  Parenthetical Expressions Examples By the way, have you made your appointment yet? (Beginning of sentence) You did, no doubt, make