The comma, when used properly, can help clarify the meaning of a phrase, clause or sentence. Here are 10 uses of the comma with easy-to-understand examples.

Addressing a person:

• John, what do you want me to do?
• Please, Mary, turn off the radio.
• Let’s go to the movies, Jane.

With a quotation:

• “I’m quitting my job,” he told his boss.
• “I love you very much,” Jane said to Bill.
• “I’m sorry that I don’t love you,” Bill replied.

With conjunctions:

• The weather is cold and snowy today, but tomorrow promises to be sunny.
• The roads are snow covered, but if you drive with care, you should arrive at work on time.
• My father runs an auto body shop, and he plans to leave the business to me.

In a series of three of more terms:

• I love cookies, cake, and ice cream.
• I hate beets, brussels sprouts and veal.
• Let’s go for a long walk, have a drink of water, and rest.

After an introductory clause:

• After I left home, I was lonely.
• If stock prices are falling, do not buy them.
• When I was a boy, I liked to play baseball.

Separate short clauses:

• Life is short, enjoy it.
• The flower garden is beautiful, full of red and orange blooms.
• Stop shouting, I am not deaf.

Nonrestrictive clause, phrase, or word:

• The broken bat, for which I paid $15, is now worthless.
• My lawn, covered with leaves, needs to be raked.
• My oldest son, Robert, works in Boston.

Titles:

• Tom Smith, M.D., has practiced medicine for 30 years.
• Karen Brown, Ph.D., is a great teacher.
• Robert Jones, Sr., my lawyer, pleaded the case.

Dates:

• March 2, 2008
• Sunday, March 2, 2008
• January to March, 2008

More examples of using commas:

• Three hours earlier, according to his mother, he stole her car.
• John, who had been arrested before, denied the allegation.
• The judge, as usual, was impatient with the slow moving proceedings.