#1

Add a comma

They lied about the war, the

economy, and their honorable
opponent.

9 items = 8 commas
Marty needs a lighting specialist, a stage manager, actors,
ushers, a set designer, dancers, singers, a theater, and an
audience.

7 items = 6 commas
The Institutions of the European Union include the
Parliament, the Council- Presidency, the European
Commission, the Court of Justice, the Court of
Auditors, the European Ombudsman, and the
European Data Protection Supervisor.

4 items = 3 commas
Weve seen hummingbirds, parrots, woodpeckers, and even
owls in the backyard this year.

Now, some grammarians say its okay to

leave out the last comma before the
and.
Those grammarians are usually right: it usually IS ok to leave out that last comma
before the and.
HOWEVER:
a) Its never wrong to put it in, and
b) it can save you some confusion, as in the following:
We decided to serve sandwiches (salami and cheese, turkey, ham and
mustard, fish and peanut butter) at the picnic.
Ask yourself: do you know what the last kind of sandwich is for sure?
Fish and peanut butter or peanut butter? Its probably peanut butter, and not fish
and peanut butter, but without that last comma, its a bit confusing for the reader.

#2

Add a comma

After the show, Allison took her

boyfriend out for a soda pop.

Surprisingly

,
,

parking was no problem this morning.

Every other Tuesday

the Archers drive to their marriage counseling appointment in San Diego.

If they call us again

were changing our number.

#3

Add a comma

We looked for him at the airport, but it was

the wrong day!

They stayed in the fight

He liked it fat
Kevin didnt go to school

it was all that mattered now.

she liked it lean.
did he show up at work.

I dont like fries

I love onion rings.

We better solve this thing

there will be trouble.

It was already September

It was Labor Day

it was still 109 degrees.

the banks were closed.

, for it was all that mattered now.

He liked it fat , and she liked it lean.
Kevin didnt go to school , nor did he show up at work.
I dont like fries , but I love onion rings.
We better solve this thing , or there will be trouble.
It was already September, yet it was still 109 degrees.
It was Labor Day, so the banks were closed.
They stayed in the fight

#4

Add a comma

The painting, a genuine Monet, was

stolen at six oclock this morning.

Slab City

, a community
is home to in
theSalvation
Imperial
Valley,
Mountain.

Salvation
Mountain

,islocated
a famous
at the
entrance
work of to the
slabs,
outsider art.

has helped to
, who is the
Leonard Knight make our county
artist,
famous.

What Have You Learned?

Can you write an example sentence for each of the
four comma rules?

Try it now.
Then, go back and check to make sure you are using
all of the rules correctly.