The Only Comma Rules You Really Need to Know

1. The Only Comma Rules You Really Need to Know By: Mrs. Crow

2. 1. The Series Rule • When listing items in a row (usually a list of nouns), separate each item with a comma. • Example: Dylan likes jazz, rock, and blues.

3. Series Rule Continued • Commas should also be placed between two or more adjectives before (when describing) a noun. • Example: She is a pretty, charming, kind young woman.

4. 2. Rule for Joining Two Sentences • When combining two independent sentences into one longer sentence, you use the conjunctions and, but, for, or, nor, yet, or so, put a comma BEFORE the conjunction. *Coordinating Conjunctions • Example: Ryan wants to go rollerblading, but I want to listen to a CD.

5. Before Rule #3… • Two definitions you need to know: • Phrase= a group of words that acts as a unit. A phrase does not have both a subject and a predicate. (incomplete sentence) • Clause= a group of words that has a complete subject and a complete predicate. (complete sentence)

6. 3. Rule for Sentences Beginning with a Subornating Conjunction or Introductory Clause • If a sentence begins with a sub. conjunction (although, because, while, until, etc), put a comma at the end of the dependent clause.

7. Subordinating Conjunctions Continued: • If the subordinating conjunction is in the middle of the sentence, the comma is left out. • Definition: word that comes at the beginning of a dependent clause to establish the relationship between the clause and the rest of the sentence

8. Here’s another way to say it… • When a sentence begins with an incomplete thought, join it to the rest of the sentence with a comma at the place it links with the real sentence. • However, when the incomplete thought is in the middle of the sentence, the comma is often not needed.

9. Don’t Panic! Here are some examples: • Although I don’t want to admit it, commas are starting to make sense. • The reverse: • Commas are starting to make sense although I don’t want to admit it.

10. More Examples: • Because I want to be a rock climber, I need to get the right kind of shoes. • The reverse: • I need to get the right kind of shoes because I want to be a rock climber.

11. 4. Commas with Dialogue and Quotation Marks • The comma goes INSIDE the quotation marks. Always. No exceptions. • If the dialogue is broken up by an interrupter, don’t forget to add a comma after the interrupter.

12. Dialogue and Quotation Examples: • “You’ll be tested on every mark of punctuation you’ve ever heard of on Friday,” the teacher snapped. • Terry, known to the class as the “grammar king,” passed the test with flying colors.

13. 5. Words Not Really Essential to a Sentence • If there are words in a sentence that can be removed without changing the basic meaning of the sentence, you need commas around the words you could omit.

14. Non-Essential Words Examples: • Mr. Wade, the oldest man on the tour, was the life of the party. • My uncle, who used to be a police officer, now spends all his time on the golf course. • Yes, I do hope to win the lottery one day.

15. 6. Dates and Addresses • Use commas to separate: • The city or town from the state • Items in an address when they’re written on a single line • Day of the month from the year • Day of the week from the day of the month and year • Items in a date when written in a sentence

16. Dates and Addresses Examples: • I once lived in Chicago, Illinois. • Forward our mail to: 10 Pleasant Street, Chicago, Illinois • Bob’s birth date is May 17, 1978. • Bob was born on Monday, May 17, 1978, in East Meadow, New York.

17. Assignment: • Comma worksheet with 30 problems • Place commas correctly in sentences • Beware! Not all sentences need commas. • Due on Wednesday!