Comma Rules

Ms. Schutkoske - English 10

Semester 1

Comma – Rule #1

Use commas to separate items (words, phrases, and clauses) in a series.

• James enjoys playing tennis, soccer, and basketball.

• The troop traveled into the mountains, across the plains, and along the river.

• The car dealer made sure that the purchaser’s car was clean, that the license plates were ready, and that the ownership papers had been signed.

• NOTE: If all the items in a series are joined by and, or, or nor, commas are not required.– The chef’s exquisite dishes include filet mignon and

roast beef and lamb.• NOTE: If the conjunction and joins words that

constitute a unit, team, or such, do not separate that name. Yet, you will still need the commas to separate items in a series.– Peanut butter and jelly, ham and eggs, and spaghetti

and meatballs are the children’s favorite foods.• NOTE: Some writers choose not to include the

final comma in a series if, by leaving the comma out, the meaning is still clear.– Our social studies class members studied the Korean

War, the Civil War, World War I and World War II. (It is clear that the students studied four wars.)

Practice – Rule #1

1. Callie’s favorite movies include: Garden State Love Actually Across the Universe and Gone with the Wind.

2. If I sprint from my dorm to my first class in Henderson climb the stairs instead of taking the elevator and sprint to my next class in the science building I get some aerobic exercise without running laps.

3. Ms. Karr Mr. Rivera and Mrs. Johnson were Maria’s fourth grade teachers.

4. Serious problems may be prevented if we plan now for possible future energy shortages by learning how to conserve by seeking new sources of energy and by stockpiling fossil fuels like coal and oil.

5. Don't forget to empty the trash vacuum the carpet and wash the windows.

Answers

1. Callie’s favorite movies include: Garden State, Love Actually, Across the Universe, and Gone with the Wind.

2. If I sprint from my dorm to my first class in Henderson, climb the stairs instead of taking the elevator, and sprint to my next class in the science building, I get some aerobic exercise without running laps.

3. Ms. Karr, Mr. Rivera, and Mrs. Johnson were Maria’s fourth grade teachers.

4. Serious problems may be prevented if we plan now for possible future energy shortages by learning how to conserve, by seeking new sources of energy, and by stockpiling fossil fuels like coal and oil.

5. Don't forget to empty the trash, vacuum the carpet, and wash the windows.

Commas – Rule #2

Use a comma after introductory words or phrases.

1. Use a comma after Yes and No when these words start a sentence.

- Yes, we have the show’s starting time.

- No, there are no bananas in that store.

2. Use a comma both after consecutive introductory prepositional phrases and after a long introductory prepositional phrase. - In the middle of New York City, the traffic is very heavy during rush hour.- In the World Series’ final game that was played in 1960, the Pirates hitter whacked a home run over the left field wall.

NOTE: A comma can be placed after a short introductory prepositional phrase if the sentence’s meaning and flow are improved by the comma. Read the sentence aloud to see if a comma is justified. -In the first instance, the dog was in the back of the van.- Without Greg’s assistance, Ricardo would have spent many hours on that project.

3. Use a comma after an introductory participle (verb form used as an adjective) or participial phrase.- Intrigued, the young child looked into the fishbowl.- Motivated by their drama coach’s remarks, the cast members worked even harder than before.

4. Use a comma after an introductory adverb clause.- Before we started our vacation, we had the mechanic check out our car.

Practice – Rule #2

1. While the turkey was cooking I prepared mashed potatoes.

2. Yes I will go on a date with you.3. If you liked Harry Potter you'll love Lord of the

Rings.4. After hiking in the woods for three hours I sat

down to have a drink of water.5. Bending nearly to the ground in the hurricane

the palm trees looked ready to break.

Answers

1. While the turkey was cooking, I prepared mashed potatoes.

2. Yes, I will go to the movies with you.3. If you liked Harry Potter, you'll love Lord of the

Rings.4. After hiking in the woods for three hours, I sat

down to have a drink of water.5. Bending nearly to the ground in the hurricane,

the palm trees looked ready to break.

Comma – Rule #3

Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives that precede a noun.

• She is an intelligent, fair leader.

• The draftee is a strong, athletic player.

NOTE: To check if a comma is needed, separate the two adjectives with the word and. If it sounds logical, a comma is required.

NOTE: Second, try reversing the adjectives. If by reversing the adjectives the meaning of the sentence remains the same, you need a comma. If when they are reversed the meaning is no longer the same, no comma is needed.- We saw a lively happy poodle.- We saw a lively (and) happy poodle.- We saw a happy lively poodle.- We saw a lively, happy poodle.

- We saw a young golden retriever.- We saw a young (and) golden retriever.- We saw a golden young retriever.- No comma is needed.

Practice – Rule #3

1. We enjoyed the clean crisp smell of the mountain air.

2. The awkward shy teenager felt nervous about his first date.

3. Dr. Bean gave us a hard final examination.

4. She ate the sweet juicy apple with a vengeance.

5. We saw several large apples on the young tree.

Answers

1. We enjoyed the clean, crisp smell of the mountain air.

2. The awkward, shy teenager felt nervous about his first date.

3. Dr. Bean gave us a hard final examination.

4. She ate the sweet, juicy apple with a vengeance.

5. We saw several large apples on the young tree.

Comma – Rule #4

Use a comma to separate independent clauses joined by the conjunctions for,

and, nor, but, or, and yet.

• The singer wanted to perform at Carnegie Hall, but her schedule prevented that.

• You can drive, or you can walk.

• NOTE: When you use the conjunctions for, so, and yet to join independent clauses, always use a comma before the conjunction. For the conjunctions and, nor, but, and or, a comma is not required as long as the independent clauses are relatively short, AND the sentence is understandable and clear without the comma.

• – Our principal understood and she responded

immediately. (no comma needed)

Practice – Rule #4

1. Ted wants to study this morning but he plans to jog first.

2. Maria Rodriguez was born in Puerto Rico but she moved to Atlanta with her family.

3. I like to watch television attend films and read but what I enjoy most are concerts.

4. My two-year-old is very curious so I have to keep a close eye on her.

5. I may consider your plan or I may ignore it.

Answers

1. Ted wants to study this morning, but he plans to jog first.

2. Maria Rodriguez was born in Puerto Rico, but she moved to Atlanta with her family.

3. I like to watch television, attend films, and read, but what I enjoy most are concerts.

4. My two-year-old is very curious, so I have to keep a close eye on her.

5. I may consider your plan, or I may ignore it.

Comma Rule #5

Use a comma to set off a word or words in direct address.

- Ellie, would you like us to pull you on the float again?

- This situation, Eve, is drastic.

- Will you lend a hand here, Nicky?

Practice – Rule #5

1. I know you can hear me Tom so why won’t you answer?

2. I have never been on a sailboat before Steven.

3. Ann you are my very best friend.

4. Mom have you seen my new socks?

5. When is your flight leaving tomorrow Aunt Gerry?

Answers

1. I know you can hear me, Tom, so why won’t you answer?

2. I have never been on a sailboat before, Steven.

3. Ann, you are my very best friend.

4. Mom, have you seen my new socks?

5. When is your flight leaving tomorrow, Aunt Gerry?

Comma Rule #6

Use a comma to set off parenthetical expressions, such as, “I believe,” “For example,” “On the other

hand,” “In the first place,” “As a matter of fact,” “To tell the truth,” “Of course,” and “However.”

• Parenthetical expressions provide additional information and are loosely connected to the sentence’s content.

- This, I believe, is the best method.

Practice – Rule #6

1. For example the fruit fly can breed up to ten times in one hour.

2. I was fired from my last job and consequently must look for a new one.

3. Exercising immediately after a heavy meal is I think asking for trouble.

4. Two students obviously pranksters replaced the chalk in the classrooms with sticks of white chocolate.

5. One toothpaste according to experts is generally the same as another.

Answers

1. For example, the fruit fly can breed up to ten times in one hour.

2. I was fired from my last job and, consequently, must look for a new one.

3. Exercising immediately after a heavy meal is, I think, asking for trouble.

4. Two students, obviously pranksters, replaced the chalk in the classrooms with sticks of white chocolate.

5. One toothpaste, according to experts, is generally the same as another.

Comma Rule #7

Use a comma to separate nonessential or nonrestrictive clauses, participial

phrases, and appositives. A nonessential or nonrestrictive element

adds information that is not necessary to the sentence’s basic meaning.

• Nonessential or nonrestrictive clauses– The debate, which was attended by two

hundred people, was exciting.– (The fact that two hundred people attended

the debate is not essential to the sentence’s basic meaning.)

• ESSENTIAL CLAUSES: (Each underlined clause restricts the italicized word that it modifies.)– The dress that Mom wore to the dinner last

night was a gift from dad.– A man who has confidence will go far.

• Nonessential or nonrestrictive participial phrases– My two buddies, posing for their high school

reunion photo, have worked for the government for the past thirty years.

– The fact that these two buddies are posing for their high school reunion photo is not essential to the sentence’s meaning.

• ESSENTIAL PARTICIPIAL PHRASES: Each underlined phrase restricts the italicized word that it modifies.– These cards left on the table belong to Gino.– The woman hailing the cab is my sister.

• Nonessential or nonrestrictive appositives– Stuart, my best friend, loves to laugh.

• ESSENTIAL APPOSITIVE PHRASES: Each underlined appositive phrase restricts the italicized word that it modifies.– Has your music teacher, Mrs. Brennan, given

you the assignment?– The address, 1313 Mockingbird Lane, should

ring a bell with television viewers of that era.

Practice – Rule #71. Ellen Terry who wrote letters to George Bernard

Shaw was a famous actress.

2. The student who writes the best paper will receive the best grade.

3. Mary realizing her bad situation tried to convince her boss to give her a raise.

4. Recognizing the thief the policemen arrested him immediately.

5. Elias Moxley a famous trial lawyer will represent Ms.Tishman.

Answers1. Ellen Terry, who wrote letters to George Bernard

Shaw, was a famous actress.

2. The student who writes the best paper will receive the best grade.

3. Mary, realizing her bad situation, tried to convince her boss to give her a raise.

4. Recognizing the thief, the policemen arrested him immediately.

5. Elias Moxley, a famous trial lawyer, will represent Ms.Tishman.

Comma Rule #8

Use a comma after the salutation of a friendly letter and after the closing in a

friendly or business letter.

– Dear Marty,– Dearest Mom,– Sincerely,– Be well,

Practice – Rule #8

Write a friendly letter to a friend or someone in your family. Be sure to include three parts: greeting, body, and closing.

Comma Rule #9

Use a comma to separate items in dates and addresses.

-She was born on January 4, 1993, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

-The family’s current address is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.

• NOTE: A comma is not needed– Between the month and the day

• April 18, 2012

– Between the month and the year (when no date is offered)

• January 2012

– Between the state (or state’s abbreviation) and the ZIP Code

• Canton, MA 02021

– Between the house or apartment number and the street

• 204 Joyner Court or Apartment 6A Twelfth Street

Practice – Rule #91. I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday

July 31 2009.

2. Andrea Walsh was born in Minneapolis Minnesota on July 7 1951 and moved to Clickville Florida on August 3 1978.

3. On February 5 1989 Mr. Keefer took his biology class on a field trip to the science museum in St. Paul Minnesota.

4. February 28 2012 is today’s date.

5. She was born in May 1984.

Answers• I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday,

July 31, 2009.

• Andrea Walsh was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on July 7, 1951, and moved to Clickville, Florida, on August 3, 1978.

• On February 5, 1989, Mr. Keefer took his biology class on a field trip to the science museum in St. Paul, Minnesota.

• February 28, 2012, is today’s date.

• She was born in May 1984.

Comma Rule #10

Use a comma to separate the speaker from the speaker’s direct quotation.

– Trey remarked, “This blanket was already washed.”

– “My car needs new tires,” Gabriella said.

•NOTE: Place the period and comma within the closing quotation marks.

Practice – Rule #10

1. “Learning about commas is easy” said Max.

2. “Well, it’s not as hard as I thought it would be” responded Sue.

3. “You’re right ” agreed Bob. “I thought it would be really complicated.”

4. Max thought a minute and said “There are eleven rules for using commas.”

5. “Could you give me an example of a rule ” asked Alex. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Answers

1. “Learning about commas is easy,” said Max.

2. “Well, it’s not as hard as I thought it would be,” responded Sue.

3. “You’re right, ” agreed Bob. “I thought it would be really complicated.”

4. Max thought a minute and said, “There are eleven rules for using commas.”

5. “Could you give me an example of a rule?” asked Alex. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Comma Rule #11

Use a comma after a mild interjection.

– Oh, I didn’t realize that you were here, Nana.

•NOTE: Use an exclamation mark after a strong interjection.

– Rats! I left my wallet at the beach.

Practice – Rule #11

1. Oh that test was not that difficult.

2. Well I think that I failed it last hour.

3. Wait I will go to lunch with you.

4. Shoot I need to stop by my locker first.

5. Okay meet me in the lunch room.

Answers

1. Oh, that test was not that difficult.

2. Well, I think that I failed it last hour.

3. Wait, I will go to lunch with you.

4. Shoot! I need to stop by my locker first.

5. Okay, meet me in the lunch room.

Number Rules

• Numbers one through ten need to be spelled out. (One, two, three, etc.)

• Numbers greater than ten are written numerically. (15, 32, 287, etc.)

• If the number begins a sentence, you must spell it out.

• If it is a large number like 1,450, begin the sentence in a different way.

– Don’t say: One thousand and four hundred and fifty…– Say: There are 1,450…