Style Manual
Punctuation

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B3. Commas

b3.1. When you use them:

b3.1a. Elements of compound sentences with separate subjects are separated by a comma. (I feel as if I know her, but sometimes my arms bend back.)

 

b3.1b. Commas are used to set off a state from a city (Laura Palmer of Twin Peaks, Washington, was found in the river) or a hometown in apposition to a name (Laura Palmer, Twin Peaks, was found in the river).

 

b3.1c. Commas are used to set off an individual's age (Laura Palmer, 17, was found in the river).

 

b3.1d. A word, phrase or clause set in apposition to a noun and that is not essential (non-restrictive) to the sentence is set off by commas (Dale Cooper, an FBI agent, arrived in Twin Peaks today; Juicy Fruit, the gum you used to like, will come back in style).
(See also Relative Pronouns.)

 

b3.1e. Use commas with all numerals greater than 999 (Laura left $10,000 in her safety deposit box).

 

b13.1f. Commas separate date from year (Laura Palmer was murdered on the night of Feb. 23, 1989).

 

b3.1g. When two or more complementary or antithetical phrases or clauses refer to a single term that follows, they should be separated from one another and from the following word by commas (The boat was heading away from, rather than toward, One-Eyed Jacks).

 

b3.1h. Antithetical phrases or clauses beginning with "not" should be set off with commas (James, not Bobby, was in love with Laura).

b1.2. Commas with series:

b1.2a. Commas are used to separate elements in a series. They should precede the conjunction in a simple list series (The suspects included Bobby, Leo, and Dr. Jacoby; Cooper ordered hotcakes, ham, juice, and coffee for breakfast).

 

b1.2b. Commas are used before the conjunction in a series of lengthy phrases (Cooper could not figure out the rope marks on Laura's arms, her habitual use of cocaine, or her relationship with Dr. Jacoby). (A good rule to follow here is: If individual elements of the series contain prepositional phrases, use commas.)

b1.3. When not to use them:

b1.3a. Before a conjunction in a simple sentence or in a compound sentence with an absent second subject (Twin Peaks was reeling from Laura's murder and the attack on Ronette; Laura Palmer was homecoming queen and helped Johnny Horne with his autism [absent subject: she]).

 

b1.3b. Do not use commas in constructions using "not only . . . but also" (Cooper's dream included not only a dwarf who spoke backwards but also a woman who looked just like Laura Palmer).

 

b1.3c. Do not use commas between a month and year (Laura Palmer was murdered in February 1989).

 

b1.3d. Do not use between a last name and Jr., or II or III. For example: Harry V. Keefe Jr.

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