10 Comma Rules
10 comma rules
1. Use a comma to separate items in a series. Must be three items or more.
Example: When Llama goes to the store he likes to buy kale, toast, and unicorn muffins.
Oxford Comma: This is the optional comma that comes before a conjunction in a series.
2. Place a comma before a conjunction when it joins (connects) two sentences together. When the conjunction does not connect two complete sentences together, you don’t use the comma. Conjunctions: For And Nor But Or Yet So = FANBOYS
Example with a comma: Llama likes to surf on the weekends, and he is a master surfer dude.
These are llamazing times for the llama, but sometimes he just wants to go to sleep.
Example without a comma:
Llama likes to surf on the weekends and is a master surfer dude.
This is not a complete sentence. It cannot stand on its own, so you cannot use a comma here.
These are llamazing times for the llama and his cronies.
3. Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives in front of a noun. Rule: 1. you can switch the adjectives around 2. You can put the word and in between them and it makes sense.
Llama loves to eat shiny, red balloons.
The brown, wooden boat is the one I will buy.
The light blue book is the one for me.
4. Use a comma after an introductory phrase, clause, or word, including interjections.
Examples:
When we go to Adventure Island, we like to go on the scariest slides.
Wow, this is really easy stuff.
In February, we began our disease project.
After we go to lunch, we will want to go home.
5. Use a comma to set off nonessential (not needed) clauses and phrases. These clauses and phrases can be at the beginning, end, or in the middle of the sentence. Interrupters are in the middle. Be careful because some clauses and phrases are essential.
COMMAS SHOW SEPARATION. Don’t separate necessary phrases or clauses.
Non-essential examples (use a comma):
My llama loves commas, however, they are annoying.
Appositive: Beaux(specific subject), who has bad breath, is cute.
I know who the subject is here, so the information in the phrase is not needed, and you need to put commas around it.
Mary, who likes to eat dirt, pukes dirt.
Laine, who is wearing white shoes, loves strawberries.
Hudson, who plays soccer, lives in his home.
Essential examples (don’t use a comma):
The boy (the woman or the building, etc.) who has the llama on his head stole my poker.
The subject is Not specific, and the phrase is now essential to determining which boy I’m talking about.
I don’t know which boy I’m talking about unless I give the information about the llama on his head.
The girl who is wearing a sweatshirt is eating crunchy grapes.
The boy who has purple cleats stole my homework.
6. Use a comma after a succession (series, string, chain) of introductory prepositional phrases.
Example:
Under the moon in the crater above the ice, a martian was making pancakes.
DO NOT PUT COMMAS BEFORE PREPOSITIONS!
7. Use a comma to set off names in direct address (when you are directly speaking to someone.)
Example: Rogan, you are being so good today. Hey, Nicholas, I like the sentences you wrote today.
Rogan is being nice today.
Isn’t Thursday your birthday, Rose?
Happy Birthday, Mike
Happy Birthday Mike!
Let’s eat, grandma.
8. Use a comma to separate items in dates, addresses, and titles.
Example:
On July 1, 1973, a miracle happened because a future dog-loving English teacher was born at 121 Whitehall Court, Springfield, Illinois 60001, and she did not have a title like Fancy Shmancy, III, or something like that.
Jr., Dr., Phd.
Put the commas …
After dates
Between two numbers
Between the lines of an address if it were on an envelope
After addresses
DO NOT put the commas
Before the zip code
Between the house number and the address
9. Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation.
Example:
“I love llamas,” said Mrs. Brill.
Mrs. Brill said, “I love llamas.”
Mrs. Brill said, “I love llamas,” and then she did a jig.
10. Use a comma to separate contradictory elements.
Example:
I love bananas, not apples.
This is boring, not fun.
We didn’t like that, did we?
That was fun, wasn’t it?