COMMAS
Rule #1
• Use commas to separate items in a
series.
,
,
• Ex: Students teachers parents
and visitors attend the picnic.
,
Side note: a series is a LIST of three or more
things! DO NOT use a comma with only two
things listed!
Rule #2
• Use a comma to separate two or
more adjectives preceding a noun.
,
• Ex: That is a rough narrow
dangerous road!
,
Side note: an adjective DESCRIBES a noun!
Rule #3
• Use a comma BEFORE and, but, so, or,
nor, for, and yet when they join an
F -- for
independent clause.
,
•Ex: All of us were at the game
but Quincy was at the movies.
A -- and
N -- nor
B -- but
Side note: an independent clause is a
phrase that can stand on its own as a
separate sentence (contains a subject
and a predicate).
O -- or
Y -- yet
S -- so
Rule #4
• Use a comma to set off nonessential
clauses and nonessential phrases.
,
,
• Ex: Ella Riley who likes animals wants
to be a veterinarian.
Side note: a nonessential clause
is a phrase that is not needed in
order to understand the sentence
as a whole!
Rule #5
• Use a comma after introductory elements.
,
• Ex: No I have not answered her letter.
Pausing for a moment in the door way
,
the
teacher smiled at the class.
Side note: an introductory element is a
phrase that seems to modify the entire
sentence and not just the verb.
Rule #6
• Use commas to set off elements that
interrupt the sentence.
,
,
• Ex: He of course won’t be there.
Hint: If you can take out the
phrase and still understand the
sentence, it needs commas
around it!
Rule #7
• Use a comma to separate items and dates
and addresses.
, ,
• Ex: My family moved to Knoxville TN on
,
,
Monday May 4 1972.
Rule #8
• Use a comma after a name followed by Jr., Sr.,
M.D., etc.
,
• Ex: Allen Davis Jr.
,
Martin Luther King Jr.
, ,
Wendy Storey R.N. P.N.P