Comma Rules

Rule 1
Use commas with nouns of direct address, a
word or phrase used when speaking to
someone.
Examples:
Lets eat grandpa!-- Incorrect. We are not
going to eat grandpa.
Lets eat, grandpa!-- Correct. Its 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-- Weird Conjunctions

Use a semicolon before consequently,
finally, for example, however, in addition,
indeed, moreover, nevertheless, on the
contrary, otherwise, therefore, thus when
they join independent clauses. You will also
add a comma after the conjunctive adverb.
______________; W, _______________.

Rule 7-- Weird Conjunctions

______________; W, _______________.
_________, W,_____________.
W,______________.

Rule 7-- Weird Conjunctions

Steven has shown tremendous academic
improvement over the semester; however, he
still struggles to keep focus in group work.
The news, indeed, will be shocking.
In addition, the student will also need to make
up the test in a timely manner.

Bellwork
Get out your comma notes, and review rules
8-9 with your table partner. Talk about the
difference between gerunds and participles. We
will be taking notes on rules 10-12 today.

Rule 8
Use a comma after a participial phrase 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 8
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 8
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 9
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.

Bellwork
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 10
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, Gandalfs absence has made Bilbo
the leader.

Rule 11
Use commas with introductory adverb
clauses: they begin with subs (subordinating
conjunctions).
Subs:
After
Although
As
As if
As though
As long as
As much as
As soon as

Because
Before
Even
Even if
Even though
If
In order that
Lest

Now that
Until
Once
When
Provided that Whenever
Since
Where
So that
Wherever
Than
While
Though
Unless

Rule 11
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 12
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!