Comma Rules 1 3 Rule 1 Use a

Comma Rules 1 -3

Rule 1 • Use a comma to separate items in a series.

Examples 3 items I like falafel tabouli and hummus. 2 commas

Examples 4 items I read poetry novels memoirs and plays. 3 commas

Examples It doesn’t matter how many items are listed. The man complained of back aches headaches stomach aches dry skin bad breath stinky feet heartburn weak knees itchy scalp poor eyesight toe fungus and a strange mole on his back. Every item needs to be separated by a comma!

Rule 2 Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives preceding (in front of) a noun.

Example The woman is described as angry and bitter, The angry bitter woman gave the guy a an evil glare. so we put a comma in between the two adjectives.

Example cool aloof The student claimed his dog ate his homework. Where does the comma go? Where are the adjectives in this sentence?

Rule 3 Place a comma before a conjunction when it joins (connects) two sentences together.

Conjunctions For And Nor But Or Yet So Don’t forget these conjunctions!

Example Chuck Norris once kicked a horse in the chin and its descendants are known today as giraffes. There are two sentences in the sentence above. To set the sentences apart, we put the comma in front of the conjunction.

Example Sticks and stones may break your bones but a Chuck Norris glare will liquefy your kidneys. Are there two complete sentences? So, the comma goes before the conjunction.

Example One sentence. Chuck Norris once went skydiving but promised to never do it again. One Grand Canyon is enough. There are not two complete sentences. so there is NO COMMA! Two sentences? Um, No.

Example The KEY is to make SURE there is a sentence (Items in a series!) on either side Paper beats rock beats scissors and scissors beats paper but Chuck Norris beats all three at the same time. of the conjunction!

Recap Rule #1: Use a comma to separate items in a series. Rule #2: Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives preceding (in front of) a noun. Rule #3: Place a comma before a conjunction when it joins (connects) two sentences together.

Comma Rule #4

The Rule Use a comma to set off nonessential (not important/not needed) clauses and phrases.

Example 1. Pull the clause out. who often plays hooky Roger Mayes should be expelled. 2. Read the rest of the sentence. 3. The meaning doesn’t change, so you need a comma. Is this clause needed?

Another example… 1. Pull the phrase out. Everyone who plays hooky should be expelled. Is this clause needed? 2. Read the rest of the sentence. 3. The meaning DEFINITELY changes, so we DO NOT need commas.

Recap The Rule: Use a comma to set off nonessential (not important/not needed) clauses and phrases.

Recap The method: 1. Take the clause out of the sentence. 2. Read the sentence to see if the meaning changes. 3. Add commas only if the meaning does not change.

Comma Rules 5 -6 Introductory Words and Phrases

Rule 5 Use a comma after words such as well, yes, no, why, etc. When they begin a sentence

Examples Yes, I will go to the MCR concert with you. No, I did not finish my homework, my monkey ate it. Well, you’re going to have to answer to Mr. Brown.

Rule 6 Use a comma after an introductory (at the beginning of the sentence) phrase.

Examples This phrase is at the beginning of the sentence. (introductory) Who or What does the phrase describe? Crying at the top of his lungs Hunter kept , the whole house up all night long. Add a comma! Tip: The first word has an – ing or –ed ending.

Example Tip: 1 st word has –ed or –ing ending Introductory phrase! Frightened by the thunder Cody Fletcher hid , underneath his bed. Add a comma

Example Remember the tip! Who or What is the phrase describing? Waking up late for school Toby obviously , forgot to brush his hair! Where do we put the comma?

Example What do we do when the phrase comes in the middle? AJ Briley running as fast as he could scored a 50 , , yard touchdown! We go back to Rule 4 If we need it = no commas If we don’t need it = commas

Recap RULE 5: Use a comma after words such as well, yes, no, why, etc. When they begin a sentence RULE 6: Use a comma after an introductory (at the beginning of the sentence) phrase.

Comma Rules 7 & 8 Introductory Prepositional Phrases and Clauses

Rule 7 Use a comma after a succession (series, string, chain) of introductory (beginning of the sentence) prepositional phrases.

Example 3 prepositional phrases Near the gate at the end of the field , the football team was waiting to enter the stadium.

Example Find the prepositional phrases… In the front window of the pet store , the rambunctious puppy played with the toy.

Rule 8 Use a comma after an introductory dependent clause (incomplete thought).

Examples When the party was over we were tired but , happy. When the party was over or we were tired but happy. Which one is an incomplete thought?

Example During the game Daniel would not stop talking! , Where does the comma go?

Recap RULE 7: Use a comma after a succession (series, string, chain) of introductory (beginning of the sentence) prepositional phrases. RULE 8: Use a comma after an introductory dependent clause (incomplete thought).

The Method 1. Identify a chain of prepositional phrases (Rule 7) or an incomplete thought (Rule 8) at the beginning of the sentence. 2. Place a comma after the phrases (Rule 7) or after the incomplete thought. (Rule 8)

Comma Rules The Final Chapter

Rule 9 Set off interrupters with commas

Example This is an interrupter: It has NO LINK to the rest of the sentence. To tell the truth, Chuck Norris is my hero! We place a comma after the interrupter to set it apart!

Example Trey forgot to brush his teeth! , however, Eww! Where is the interrupter in this sentence? So, where do the commas go?

Rule 10 Use a comma to separate items in dates and addresses.

Example Place commas after: the year Month and Day On August 23 2007 my address changed to , , 2929 Sunset Blvd Hollywood CA 90210. , , at the end of a street address after the city

Rule 11 Use a comma after the salutation of a personal letter and after the closing of a letter.

Example Dearest Jennifer Lopez , With all my love , Roger Mayes

Recap Rule 9: Set off interrupters with commas Rule 10: Use a comma to separate items in dates and addresses. Rule 11: Use a comma after the salutation of a personal letter and after the closing of a letter.