NCO Primary Leadership Subjects
The Comma
The comma is the most frequently used and most troublesome piece of punctuation.
Background
Its two primary functions are to set off nonessential expressions and to separate
elements to clarify their relationship.
Read the rules for using commas in the tables that follow. Then practice applying
Rules
the rules in the exercises that follow each table.
Use a comma...
Example
with coordinating conjunctions and
He was still undecided about issuing
but, or and nor when they join two
the order, but he knew that the attack
independent clauses.
was essential.
Sergeant Hanna was awarded the
Bronze Star Medal, and Sergeant
McMahon
received
the
Army
Commendation Medal.
to separate three or more words or
He distributed arms, ammunition, and
phrases in a series, including the
food.
word before the final and, .L or no.
The instructor had a clear speaking
voice, was familiar with his subject,
and held the interest.
with parallel adjectives, phrases, and
The large, gas turbine-powered tank
clauses that modify the same noun.
surged across the battlefield.
Note: If an adjective modifies
He wore rip-stop cotton BDUs. (Rip-
another adjective, do not use a
stop modifies cotton.)
comma.
Continued on next page
2-4
Writing Mechanics and Composition
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