Harper's Writing Center: Commas I

[ Home ] [ Contents] Commas to Separate Items
in a Series

Commas are used to separate words, phrases, or clauses in a series.

Words in a series:

One of my fondest childhood memories is when my mom would take my two brothers my sister and me to the drive-in movie.

I will always remember the intermingled scents of buttery popcorn Bazooka bubble gum chocolate and my brothers' stinky feet.

(Use a comma between two or more adjectives of equal rank. If you can add "and," and/or reverse the order of the adjectives, use a comma.)

On drive-in night we would all load into the family's old dilapidated "wood"-sided station wagon.

Phrases in a series:

Before the movie we would race to the play area climb on the jungle gym divide into pairs for the see-saw and fight over the only unoccupied swing.

Then we would scramble over the equipment through the maze of cars and back into our familiar jalopy.

Clauses in a series:

I realized I had to go to the bathroom just after my mom left to buy popcorn when my brothers were busy tormenting my sister and just as the movie was about to begin.

After I had whined mercilessly after my sister Angelica had walloped my brothers but before my mom had returned Frankie finally pushed me out the car door and followed me to the restroom.

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Commas to Separate Items in a Series

Commas are used to separate words, phrases, or clauses in a series.

Words in a series:

Phrases in a series:

Clauses in a series:

Commas to Separate Items
in a Series