Comma Rules

The Importance of Being a Comma

6 6uI would like to thank my parents,

Gram and Punk

Ardsley Gram Huh? I’m not your parent! Me neither!

Ardsley

Gram

Punk

Here we have items in a series

Parents Gram Punk

COMMA RULE: Separate each item in a series with commas. Be sure to remember the final—or Oxford— comma, or else you may communicate something that you never intended!

Add a comma, Ardsley.

Yes! Add a comma! I would like to thank my parents, Gram, and Punk.

THE COMMA: FIVE SIMPLE RULES

Overview

INTRODUCTION: Writers are often taught to place a comma where it “feels” like a brief pause belongs. However, this approach does not always result in correct comma placement. People who pause often when they speak may incorrectly place too many commas. People who speak quickly may place no commas at all!

Rule 1

The basic rule for utilizing commas is this: If it “feels” like a pause belongs at a certain point in your sentence, then think about if you can justify that pause with one of the five basic comma rules. NOTE: The following five comma rules are the most common and agreed-upon rules. There are a few other comma rules (e.g., dates) that are not covered in this workbook. Using these rules is the BEST START for you in your comma use.

You can “beak” the sentence in half and both parts can stand alone.

Separate two independent clauses (or two complete sentences) with a coordinate conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so—FANBOYS) The students completed the assignment, and the teacher graded their papers that day.

Rule 2

Separate introductory material from the rest of the sentence

Introductory Word:

Fortunately, the new year is quickly approaching.

Introductory Phrase:

In the meantime, we will continue to think about our plans for the new year.

Introductory Clause (Dependent Clause):

When the school year is over, I will be a senior.

Rule 3

Separate items in a series A Series of Words: The class required hard work, determination, and patience.

A Series of Phrases: The students asked a few questions, completed the assignment, and then took a break.

Rule 4

Separate a signal phrase from the direct quote. 1. The instructor said, “You are all doing quite well.” 2. “You are all doing quite well,” the instructor said. 3. “You are all doing quite well,” the instructor said, “and I am very proud.”

Rule 5

Think

Set off or surround interrupters (such as transitions, non-essential clauses, and appositives) 1. The First Lady, Melania Trump, has a keen sense of style. 2. Melania Trump, the First Lady, has a keen sense of style. 3. Not everyone, however, agrees with this observation. 4. King David, who was a musician, was a warrior.

Check your understanding…

Instructions: Name the comma rule that is being used to include the comma(s) in each sentence. Answers are at the bottom of the page.

1. On the first day, God spoke light into existence. ___Rule 1 ___Rule 2 ___Rule 3 ___Rule 4 ___Rule 5

2. Although God separated light from darkness on the first day, He did not create the sun and moon until the fourth day. ___Rule 1 ___Rule 2 ___Rule 3 ___Rule 4 ___Rule 5

3. God created His first man, Adam, and placed Adam in the Garden of Eden. ___Rule 1 ___Rule 2 ___Rule 3 ___Rule 4 ___Rule 5

4. God gave humanity power over the fish, birds, cattle, the earth, and all creeping things on the earth. ___Rule 1 ___Rule 2 ___Rule 3 ___Rule 4 ___Rule 5

5. God created male and female, and He told them to be fruitful and multiply. ___Rule 1 ___Rule 2 ___Rule 3 ___Rule 4 ___Rule 5

6. As God saw everything that He made, He noted that it was all very good. ___Rule 1 ___Rule 2 ___Rule 3 ___Rule 4 ___Rule 5

7. God told Adam, “You may eat freely of every tree in the garden except of the tree of good and evil.” ___Rule 1 ___Rule 2 ___Rule 3 ___Rule 4 ___Rule 5

Answers: 1. Rule 2 2. Rule 2 3. Rule 5 4. Rule 3 5. Rule 1 6. Rule 2 7. Rule 4