nd of preventing ambiguity by showing
clearly the separation and connection of words and phrases. If there is
possibility of misunderstanding without a comma, put one in. If the
words tell their story beyond possibility of misunderstanding without a
comma, there is no reason for its use. This rule will serve as a fairly
dependable guide in the absence of any well recognized rule for a
particular case, or where doubt exists as to the application of a rule.

Reversed, and usually in pairs, commas mark the beginning of a
quotation.

In numerical statements the comma separates Arabic figures by triplets
in classes of hundreds: $5,276,492.72.

In tabular work reversed commas are used as a sign for ditto.

SCHOOLS TEACHING PRINTING

Boston: Boston Typothetae School of Printing.
" Industrial Arts High School.
Chicago: Lakeside Press School of Printing.
" Chicago Typothetae School of Printing.
" Lane Technical High School.

The comma is placed between the words which it is intended to separate.
When used in connection with quotation marks, it is always placed inside
them.

"Honesty is the best policy," as the proverb says.

_Rules for the Use of the Comma_

1. After each adjective or adverb in a series of two or more when not
connected by conjunctions.

He was a tall, thin, dark man.

The rule holds when the last member of the series is preceded by a
conjunction.

He was tall, thin, and dark.

The comma may be omitted when the words are combined into a single idea.

A still hot day.
An old black coat.

2. After each pair in a series of pairs of words or phrases not
connected by conjunctions.

Sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish,
I give my hand and my heart to this vote.

Formerly the master printer, his journeymen, even his apprentices,
all lived in the same house.

3. To separate contrasted words.

We rule by love, not by force.

4. Between two independent clauses connected by a conjunction.

The press was out of order, but we managed to start it.

5. Before a conjunction when the word which preceded it is qualified by
an expression which does not qualify the word which follows the
conjunction.

He quickly looked up, and spoke.

6. Between relative clauses which explain the antecedent, or which
introduce a new thought.

The type, which was badly worn, was not fit for the job.

If th