COMMA RULES Subdue the Comma Fairy COMMA RULE

COMMA RULES Subdue the Comma Fairy

COMMA RULE #1 • Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so when they join independent clauses. • My mother enjoys writing, and she has published several pieces of literature. • NOT: My mother enjoys writing and reading. • NOT: My mother is mature yet silly. • My mother is mature, yet she sometimes acts silly.

COMMA RULE #2 (a)Use commas to separate items in a series unless (b)ALL items are joined by and or or (polysyndeton). • At the restaurant, we ordered an appetizer, an entrée, two sides, a fancy drink, a dessert, and coffee. • At the restaurant, we ordered an appetizer and an entrée and two sides and a fancy drink and a dessert and coffee.

COMMA RULE #3 • (a) Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun, (b)except when the last adjective is part of the noun or (c)if one word in the series modifies the next word. • The crisp, cold, blustery day made me want to stay in bed. • The loud fire truck screamed past my house. • The bright red cardinal sat on my porch rail.

COMMA RULE #4 Use a comma before and/or after a person’s name when the sentence speaks directly to that person. • Janice, are you going to the movies with us? • You know, Ellen, that this is the top movie of the year. • Why don’t you want to go, Bob?

COMMA RULE #5 Use a comma after an introductory word, participial phrase, adverb clause or phrase, or series of prepositional phrases. • Once, school was considered a privilege only for the rich. • Running in the wind, the dog enjoyed the time outside. • When my mother gets home, she will cook dinner. • In the morning, we have to get up early. • In the back of the classroom, we can charge our phones.

COMMA RULE #6 Use commas to set off NONessential clauses and NONessential participial phrases. • Comma: My brother, who likes racing, lives in Eatonton, Georgia. • Comma: The girl, racing in the door, slipped and fell. • No Comma: The girl racing in the door is my sister. Which girl? • NO Comma: The car going into the pit is owned by Dale Earnhardt. Which car?