Grammar Punk Comma Rules Use a comma between

Grammar Punk Comma Rules

• Use a comma between two independent clauses that are joined by a conjunction. • For conjunctions: Remember FANBOYS • For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So • Grammar Punk™ Example: S A 3 Conj| Sandwiches are Stan’s favorite, but Natasha prefers strawberry cheesecake. • Independent clause: a simple sentence— contains a subject and predicate; makes sense by itself/can stand alone Comma Rule #1

• Use a comma to separate two adjectives that modify the same noun. • Grammar Punk™ Example: C I 4 Adj| Deciding to pass on the spicy, incendiary Kung Pao, she reached for the fried rice. Comma Rule #2

• The man who is wearing the red hat is my science teacher. • Check it out. . . If you take the adjective clause out of this sentence, can you still tell me which man is the science teacher? > ESSENTIAL • Mr. Smith, who is wearing the red hat, is my science teacher. • The adjective clause is not needed in order to identify the referent (what we are talking about). It is simply additional information > NONESSENTIAL Essential and Nonessential Clauses

• Use commas to separate parenthetical or interrupting elements within a sentence. • Grammar Punk™ Example: L E 4 Adj| Whenever Kyle listens to his pink i. Pod, which he stole from his sister, he loses track of time. § Interrupting elements: such as “for example, ” “however, ” “nevertheless, ” “regardless, ” etc. § Adjective clauses: modify nouns; begin with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, that, or which) or a relative adverb (when, where, why) § Use commas when the clause is nonessential! Comma Rule #3

• Use commas to set off appositives (noun or noun phrase that renames the noun right beside it). • Grammar Punk™ Example: M E 3 Conj|Rosemary, a taxidermist and doll collector, has a beautiful home. Comma Rule #4

• Use commas to separate individual words, phrases, or clauses in a series. • Grammar Punk™ Example: T A 4 Adv| Strangely enough, the box contained four carrots, two cats, and a wristwatch. Comma Rule #5

• Use a comma after an introductory phrase or clause. • Prepositional phrase • Adverbial clause (subordinate clause) • Grammar Punk™ Example: R E 2 Adj| After work, all Heather wants is a hot meal. Comma Rule #6

Adverbial/Subordinate Clauses An adverb clause will meet three requirements: ① First, it will contain a subject and verb. ② You will find a subordinate conjunction that keeps the clause from expressing a complete thought. ③ You will notice that the clause answers one of these three adverb questions: How? When? or Why? after although as until before even if even though whereas in order that because unless wherever once since when while provided that so that whenever why

• Use commas to set off items in a date. • Grammar Punk™ Example: R A 3 Adj| Jennings had an unreasonable fear of the date March 16, 1976. Comma Rule #7

• Use commas to set off items in an address. • Grammar Punk™ Example: T E 5 Prep| The Caterpillar Collector’s Quartet meets at 2626 West Avenue, American Fork, Utah, every Tuesday. Comma Rule #8

• Use commas to set off the speaker’s exact words from the rest of the sentence. • Grammar Punk™ Example: D O 4 Pro| She scowled, “Would you please put down that doorknob? ” Comma Rule #9

• Use commas to set off mild interjections. • Grammar Punk™ Example: M I 4 Pro| Yep, the image of Imogene in that swimsuit will be with me for time immemorial. Comma Rule #10

• Use commas to separate numerals in large numbers. • Grammar Punk™ Example: N A 3 Interj| “Hey!” he demanded, “We need exactly 6, 237 chainsaws, 4 axes, and 3, 456 fake eyeballs for the haunted house. ” Comma Rule #11