Comma Rules

Rule 1
●Use commas with nouns of direct address: a
word or phrase used when speaking to
someone.

Examples:
“Let’s eat grandpa!”-- Incorrect. We are not going
to eat grandpa.

“Let’s eat, grandpa!”-- Correct. It’s time for both you

and grandpa to eat.
Rule 1
●Use commas with nouns of direct address: a
word or phrase used when speaking to
someone.

Examples:
No, Richard, you may not sleep on the roof.

Making it to class on time shows respect, students.

Jessica, tie your shoes.

Rule 2
●Use commas to separate items in series: three
or more items.

Examples:
Be sure to bring salad, hot dogs, and paper plates
to the party. [words in a series]

Will you spend your vacation in the mountains, on

the lake, or at the seashore? [phrases in a series]
Rule 2
●Use commas to separate items in series: three
or more items.

* Do not place a comma before or after a series.

INCORRECT
The coach expects, obedience, hard work, and
quick thinking, from every person on the team.
CORRECT
The coach expects obedience, hard work, and quick
thinking from every person on the team.
Rule 3
●Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, yet,
so: when they join independent clauses.

Independent clauses are sentences that can stand

alone. It must have a subject and a verb.

Independent clause: I bought dog food.

Subject- I
Predicate (verb phrase)- bought dog food
Rule 3
●Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, yet,
so: when they join independent clauses.
Example:
We subscribe to seven magazines, and I find it
impossible to read all of them every month.

Independent clause 1- We subscribe to seven

magazines.
Independent clause 2- I find it impossible to read all
of them every month.
Rule 3
●Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, yet,
so: when they join independent clauses.

Examples:
John was born in Germany, but he grew up in
France.

I love sandwiches, and she really enjoys pizza.

Your Turn!
Fix these sentences.

I love to eat pizza but my brother loves sandwiches.

I will bring tacos ground beef and extra tortillas for

the party.

Nick please take out the garbage.

Rule 4
●Use commas to separate two or more adjectives
that modify the same noun.

Example:
She is a young, dynamic, creative woman.

Hint: If you can put an “and” in between the

adjectives that modify the noun, and it sounds
correct, use the comma. Or, if you can reverse the
order of the adjectives while still keeping the same
meaning, then a comma is needed.
Rule 4
●Use commas to separate two or more adjectives
that modify the same noun.

Example:
She is a young, dynamic, creative woman.

Hint: If you can put an “and” in between the

adjectives that modify the noun, and it sounds
correct, use the comma. Or, if you can reverse the
order of the adjectives while still keeping the same
meaning, then a comma is needed.
Rule 5
●Use commas with dates: after the date and year.

Example:

Bryce was born on July 9, 1988, in Phoenix.

August 8, 2013, marked the beginning of the 2013-

2014 school year.
Rule 6
●Use commas with geographic places of two or
more parts.

Example:

Phoenix, Arizona, is a great place to live in the

winter.

Austin, Texas, is one of the most fascinating

vacation destinations in the country.
Rule 7
Use a comma after a participial phrase (verb
generally used as an adjective) that begins a
sentence.

Running to the store, Matt arrived five minutes

before they closed.

Climbing up the tree, Bilbo was petrified.

Rambling through the woods, the hikers seemed

not to be in a hurry.
Rule 7
Use a comma after a participial phrase that begins
a sentence.

** A participle is a verb that functions as an

adjective.

The running man quickly slowed down.

Rule 7
Use a comma after a participial phrase that begins
a sentence.

** A note on gerunds:
A gerund is a verb that ends in -ING and functions
as a noun.
Reading is my favorite pastime.
Eating ice cream on a hot day is refreshing.
Climbing up trees is terrifying.
Rule 8
Use a comma with contrasting expressions
beginning with not and never.

This is my money, not yours.

I always order pizza on Friday, never Thursday.

YOUR TURN AGAIN!
Fix the following sentences:
Climbing up the tree Kyle was exhausted.

Climbing up the tree is terrifying.

I will always love football never basketball.

Bilbo is a courageous comfortable hobbit.

Rule 9
Use commas with introductory adverbs: first,
second, third, next, please, yes, no, well, why, -ly.

First, set the oven to 350 degrees.

Then, Bilbo saved the dwarves from the spiders.

Obviously, Gandalf’s absence has made Bilbo the

leader.
Rule 10
Use commas with introductory adverb clauses: they begin with subs
(subordinating conjunctions). A subordinating conjunction is a
conjunction that introduces a subordinate clause, such as:

After Because Now that

Until Although Before Once
When
As Even Provided that Whenever
As if Even if Since Where
As though Even though So that Wherever
As long as If Than While
As much as In order that Though
As soon as Lest Unless
Rule 10
Use commas with introductory adverb clauses:
they begin with subs (subordinating conjunctions).
Before a hurricane strikes, ample warning is given.

Wherever you looked, you saw rust on the

chrome.

As soon as the job was finished, dad gave me

some money.
Rule 11
Use commas with introductory infinitive phrases
(to + verb) that answer the question
“why”?

To win the race, I will practice everyday.

To receive a great grade on the test, I studied all

night.

To get in great physical shape, you need to be

active consistently.
Correct the following sentences:
To pass the final exam students studied in groups
consistently.

Even though the dwarves doubt Bilbo he still

continues to be faithful to the expedition and its
success.

Finally take the cake out of the oven let it cool for
fifteen minutes and enjoy!