2. Punctuating lists and phrases with commas

2. Create lists, phrases, and commas:

in a series of three terms, verbs or phrases with a single conjunction, use a comma after the first term OR use a comma after each term except the last.

-Also, place a comma between two adjectives in a row.

Incorrect red, white and, blue

Correct: red, white and blue

Correct: red, white, and blue

Incorrect: honest energetic but headstrong

Correct: honest, energetic but headstrong

Correct: honest, energetic, but headstrong

Incorrect: He opened the letter read it and made a note of its contents.

Correct: He opened the letter, read it and made a note of its contents.

Correct: He opened the letter, read it, and made a note of its contents.

Incorrect: He kayaked down the swift murky river.

Correct: He kayaked down the swift, murky river.

red, white, and blue (nouns in a series)

honest, energetic, but headstrong (adjectives in a series)

He opened the letter, read it, and made a note of its contents (verb phrases in a series)

It is appropriate to have commas after the first two terms:

red, white, and blue

Notice the difference commas in a series make:

The panda bear eats shoots and leaves. (a panda as herbivore)

The panda bear eats, shoots and leaves. (a homicidal panda)