Comma rules
- 1. Important Rules COMMA RULES
- 2. USE A COMMA AND A COORDINATE CONJUNCTION (FANBOYS) TO FORM A COMPOUND SENTENCE. The family walked to the beach, but it was not far. Comma Rules #1
- 3. USE A COMMA AFTER A LONG INTRODUCTORY PHRASE. Without a thought for his own safety, Nathan rescued the dog. Comma Rules #2
- 4. USE A COMMA AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY DEPENDENT CLAUSE. Although Jerry followed the instructions, she still could not fix her computer. Comma Rules #3
- 5. USE COMMAS BETWEEN ITEMS IN A SERIES. Seth bought burgers, chips, and a drink at the game. Comma Rules #4
- 6. ALTHOUGH THE COMMA BEFORE THE CONJUNCTION IS USUALLY OPTIONAL, IT MUST BE PRESENT IF THE ITEMS CONTAIN MORE THAN ONE WORD. Seth bought a burger with onions, fries with ketchup, and a cherry juice. Comma Rules #4B
- 7. USE A COMMA BETWEEN COORDINATE ADJECTIVES. Mel rested her arms on the thin, colorful, paperback books as she thought. Comma Rules #5
- 8. USE COMMAS WITH MULTIPLE ADJECTIVES. YOU CAN TELL IF THEY ARE CORRECT BY REPLACING THE COMMA WITH “AND”. We made our way down the long, straight, narrow road. Comma Rules #5B
- 9. USE COMMAS TO SET OFF NOUNS OF DIRECT ADDRESS. COMMAS ARE ALWAYS USED TO SET OFF THE NAME OF SOMEONE WHO IS BEING SPOKEN TO. Mom, I found my shoes. Comma Rules #6
- 10. USE COMMAS TO SET OFF PARENTHETICAL ELEMENTS. OFTEN CALLED “INTERRUPTERS” George, of course, was able to start the computer herself. Comma Rules #7
- 11. USE COMMAS TO SET OFF A NON- RESTRICTIVE APPOSITIVE. IF AN APPOSITIVE IS NON-RESTRICTIVE—THAT IS, IF IT DOESN’T CONTAIN ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR IDENTIFYING THE NOUN THAT IT FOLLOWS—IT IS OFF-SET BY COMMAS. Ms. Moore, our English teacher, loves holding spelling bees. Comma Rules #8
- 12. DO NOT USE COMMAS TO SET OFF A RESTRICTIVE APPOSITIVE. IF AN APPOSITIVE IS RESTRICTIVE—THAT IS, IF IT CONTAINS ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR IDENTIFYING THE NOUN THAT IT FOLLOWS—IT DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY ADDED PUNCTUATION. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird was the only book ever published by author Harper Lee. Comma Rules #8B
- 13. USE COMMAS WITH DATES. Jeremy left for Amelia Island on August 28, 2000, for one last weekend at the beach. Comma Rules #9
- 14. USE COMMAS WITH ADDRESSES. Marge’s family lived at 563 Linden Avenue, Billings, Montana, when he was born. Comma Rules #10
- 15. USE COMMAS WITH DIRECT QUOTATIONS. Comma Rules #11 “I wish,” commented Grace, “that you wouldn’t call me so early in the morning.” Mary replied, “I can’t help it!”