comma rules
DESCRIPTION
CommasTRANSCRIPT
Important Rules
COMMA RULES
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
USE A COMMA AFTER A LONG INTRODUCTORY PHRASE.
Without a thought for his own safety, Nathan rescued the dog.
Comma Rules #2
USE A COMMA AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY
DEPENDENT CLAUSE.
Although Jerry followed
the instructions, she still
could not fix her computer.
Comma Rules #3
USE COMMAS BETWEEN ITEMS IN A SERIES.
Seth bought burgers, chips, and a drink at the game.
Comma Rules #4
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
USE A COMMA BETWEEN
COORDINATE ADJECTIVES.
Mel rested her arms on the thin, colorful, paperback books as she thought.
Comma Rules #5
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
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
USE COMMAS TO SET OFF PARENTHETICAL
ELEMENTS. OFTEN CALLED
“INTERRUPTERS”
George, of course, was able to start
the computer herself.
Comma Rules #7
USE COMMAS TO SET OFF A NON -RESTRICTIVE APPOSITIVE .
I F AN AP P O S IT IV E IS NO N - RES TRIC T IV E — THAT IS , I F
I T D O ES N’ T C O NTAIN ES S ENT IAL INFO RM ATIO N FO R
ID ENT IF Y ING THE NO U N THAT I T FO LLOWS — I T IS O F F - S ET BY C O M M AS .
Ms. Moore, our
English teacher, loves
holding spelling bees.
Comma Rules #8
DO NOT USE COMMAS TO SET OFF A RESTRICTIVE APPOSITIVE. IF AN APPOSIT IVE IS RESTRICT IVE —THAT IS ,
IF IT CONTAINS ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
FOR IDENTIFY ING 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
USE COMMAS WITH DATES .
Jeremy left for Amelia
Island on August 28,
2000, for one last
weekend at the beach.
Comma Rules #9
USE COMMAS WITH ADDRESSES.
Marge’s family lived at
563 Linden Avenue,
Billings, Montana,
when he was born.
Comma Rules #10
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!”