Compound (Coordinate) Sentence Elements Usually Are Not Separated by a Comma
by Tina Blue
November 21,2002
As I explain in "Commas with Compound Sentences," the independent clauses in a compound sentence are usually separated by a comma occurring before (not after!) the coordinating conjunction.But when the elements joined by a simple coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, yet, so) are words or phrases rather than clauses, what you have is a compound sentence element (also called a coordinate element). Unless coordinate elements are contrasted (for that, see "Commas with Contrasted Coordinate Elements"), the general rule is that they should not be separated by a comma. (Of course, if the compound element consists of a coordinate series--i.e., three or more items--then the rule for commas with a coordinate series applies.)Compound Subject
Superfluous comma: Diane, and I are planning a trip to Europe next summer.
Corrected: Diane and I are planning a trip to Europe next summer.
Superfluous comma: The dark blue van under that tree, and the white van over by the curb were both part of the convoy of vehicles that brought in volunteers and relief supplies.
Corrected: The dark blue van under that tree and the white van over by the curb were both part of the convoy of vehicles that brought in volunteers and relief supplies.
Compound Subject Complement
Superfluous comma: He is the president of the club, and one of its founding members.
Corrected: He is the president of the club and one of its founding members.
Compound Direct Object
Superfluous comma: The suspended students vandalized the principal's office, and the music room.
Corrected: The suspended students vandalized the principal's office and the music room.
Superfluous comma: Grandma baked her special cherry pie, and her famous banana bread for the holidays.
Corrected: Grandma baked her special cherry pie and her famous banana bread for the holidays.
Compound Direct Object of Infinitive
Superfluous comma: Imagine never having to share the TV, or your parents' attention.
Corrected: Imagine never having to share the TV or your parents' attention.
Compound Indirect Object
Superfluous comma: He gave the museum, and children's arts center unusually large donations this year.
Corrected: He gave the museum and children's arts center unusually large donations this year.
Compound Prepositional Phrases
Superfluous comma: Leave the books on the table by the door, or on the shelf in the parlor.
Corrected: Leave the books on the table by the door or on the shelf in the parlor.
Superfluous comma: Before we could board the plane, we had to show our boarding passes to the security screeners, and the guard at the gate.
Corrected: Before we could board the plane, we had to show our boarding passes to the security screeners and the guard at the gate.
Compound Predicate
As with other compound sentence elements, a compound predicate generally is not separated by a comma. Occasionally, however, if the parts of a compound predicate are unusually long, or if the writer feels the need for special emphasis, a comma can be used with a compound predicate. Such commas should be treated as a heavy spice, though, and used sparingly. Superfluous comma: Mandy hurried into the office, and immediately went to her desk.
Corrected: Mandy hurried into the office and immediately went to her desk.
In the following examples, the compound predicate works with or without the comma. (Just remember that you should only rarely use commas with compound predicates. If you use such commas frequently, then you have a stylistic tic that you need to work on.)~The last candidate spoke for what seemed like hours and thoroughly bored the audience.
~The last candidate spoke for what seemed like hours, and thoroughly bored the audience.
~He applied for every scholarship he was even remotely qualified for and spent the rest of the semester anxiously watching for some sort of positive response.
~He applied for every scholarship he was even remotely qualified for, and spent the rest of the semester anxiously watching for some sort of positive response.
~We had seen several productions of the play and were astonished at how well the high school production compared to even the most polished versions we had seen.
~We had seen several productions of the play, and were astonished at how well the high school production compared to even the most polished versions we had seen.
