Comma Rules
Name: _________________________________________________ Date: __________ Period: ________
RULE: Use a comma to separate items in a series. A “series” can be words, phrases, or clauses.
Ex. My dog loves toys, treats, running, and sleeping.
Ex.
Ex.
RULE: Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives that come before a noun.
Ex. She had a bright, beautiful smile.
Exception:
RULE: Use a comma before coordinating conjunctions that join two independent clauses.
Ex. The clown was insanely scary, but he had a nice side to his personality.
Ex.
Exception:
Comma Rules
Name: _________________________________________________ Date: __________ Period: ________
RULE: Use commas to set off an expression that interrupts a sentence.
Ex.
Ex.
Ex.
RULE: Use commas to set off nonessential clauses or phrases.
Ex.
Ex.
Ex.
PRACTICE: Complete the following practice exercises. You can write your responses on the back of this
sheet.
pages 300-301 (1-10)
Comma Rules:
Appositives and Nouns of Direct Address
Name: _________________________________________________ Date: __________ Period: ________
RULE: Use commas to set off nonessential appositives and nonessential appositive phrases.
An appositive is a noun or pronoun used to identify or describe another noun or pronoun.
Ex. My oldest sister, Alicia, will be at basketball practice until 6:00pm. (nonessential appositive)
Ex. Jamaica, a popular island for tourists, is in the Caribbean Sea. (nonessential appositive
phrase)
Ex. May I introduce you to Vernon, my cousin from Jamaica? (nonessential appositive phrase)
Do not use commas to set off an appositive that is essential to the meaning of the sentence.
Ex. My sister Alicia is at basketball practice. (essential appositive – The speaker has more than
one sister and must give a name to identify which sister.)
Ex. The planet Mercury is closer to the Sun than any other planet in our solar system. (essential
appositive – The solar system contains more than one planet. The name is needed to identify
which planet.)
RULE: Use commas to set off words of direct address.
Ex. Ben, please answer the doorbell.
Ex. Mom needs you, Francine.
Ex. Would you show me, ma’am, where the craft store is?
PRACTICE: Complete the following practice exercises.
Proofreading for the Correct Use of Commas with Appositives and Appositive Phrases
Underline the appositive or appositive phrase in each of the following sentences. Use commas to set off
nonessential appositive phrases.
Ex. Mars one of the planets closes to Earth can be seen without a telescope.
Mars, one of the planets closest to Earth, can be seen without a telescope.
1. The whole class has read the novel Old Yeller.
2. Shana Alexander a former editor of a popular magazine was the main speaker at the
conference.
3. The character Sabrina is Josie’s favorite.
4. The Galapagos Islands a group of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean were named for
the Spanish word that means “tortoise.”
5. Rubber an elastic substance quickly restores itself to its original size and shape.
6. This bowl is made of clay found on Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa.
7. The North Sea an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is rich in fish, natural gas, and oil.
8. Jamake Highwater a Blackfoot/Eastern Band Cherokee author writes about the history
of his people.
9. At Gettysburg a town in Pennsylvania an important battle of the Civil War was fought.
10. My friend Imelda is teaching me how to make empanadas.
APPLICATION:
What patterns do you notice with essential vs. nonessential appositive phrases? Are
there any specific types of words that usually indicate a nonessential appositive
phrase will follow?
Have you identified any misconceptions that you previously carried about appositives?
Correcting Sentences by Using Commas with Words of Direct Address
Identify the words used in direct address in the following sentences. Then insert commas before, after,
or both before and after the words as needed.
Ex. Listen folks to this amazing announcement!
folks – Listen , folks , to this amazing announcement!
1. __________ —Andrea when are you leaving for Detroit?
2. __________ —Pay attention now class.
3. __________ —Let us my brothers and sisters give thanks.
4. __________ —Please Dad may I use your computer?
5. __________ —Senator please summarize your tax proposal.
6. __________ —Help me move this table Marlene.
7. __________ —“Tell me both of you what movie you want to see,” Jo said.
8. __________ —Hurry William and give me the phone number!
9. __________ —Mrs. Larson where is Zion National Park?
10. __________ —I’m just not sure friends that I agree with you.
APPLICATION:
Explain the difference between these two statements. (One actually appeared on Facebook.)
What does each one mean?
“DON’T WEAR WHITE PEOPLE”
vs.
“DON’T WEAR WHITE, PEOPLE”
Is the growing disregard for grammar, punctuations, and conventions on social
media a trend that should concern us? What can we do to fix the situation, or does
the situation not need fixing?
Comma Rules:
Parenthetical Expressions and Introductory Elements
Name: ______________________________________________________________ Date: __________ Period: ________
RULE: Use commas to set off a parenthetical expression – a side remark that adds information or shows a relationship
between ideas. These act like interrupters.
COMMON PARENTHETICAL EXPRESSIONS
Ex. Carl, on the contrary, prefers soccer to baseball.
by the way
in fact
of course
Ex. To tell the truth, Jan is one of my best friends.
for example in my opinion
on the contrary
however
NOTE: Parenthetical expressions are NOT conjunctions and
I believe
can’t join two independent clauses with just commas. They
need stronger punctuation (a semicolon or period).
WRONG:
Lou Anne is tall, however, her sisters are all petite.
RIGHT:
Lou Anne is tall; however, her sisters are all petite.
RIGHT:
Lou Anne is tall. However, her sisters are all petite.
RIGHT:
Lou Anne is tall. Her sisters, however, are all petite.
I suppose
nevertheless
on the other hand
to tell the truth
NOTE: Some of these expressions are not always used parenthetically.
Ex. Of course it is true. (not parenthetical)
That is, of course, an Indian teakwood screen. (parenthetical)
Ex. I suppose we ought to go home now. (not parenthetical)
He’ll want a ride, I suppose. (parenthetical)
BIG RULE: Use a comma after introductory words, phrases, or clauses.
RULE: Use a comma after introductory words like yes, no, well, or any other mild exclamation such as well or why at
the beginning of a sentence.
Ex. Yes, you may borrow my bicycle.
Ex. Why, it’s Lena!
Ex. Well, I think you are wrong.
RULE: Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase.
Ex. Beginning a new school year, Zelda felt somewhat nervous.
Ex. Greeted with applause from the fans, Rashid ran out onto the field.
RULE: Use a comma after two or more introductory prepositional phrases.
Ex. At the bottom of the hill, you will see the field.
Ex. Until the end of the song, just keep strumming that chord.
Also, use a comma after a single introductory prepositional phrase if the phrase is long. If it is short, a comma may or
may not be used. Be sure to use a comma when it is necessary to make the meaning of the sentence clear.
Ex. In the morning they left. (clear without a comma)
Ex. In the morning, sunlight streamed through the window. (The comma is needed so that the reader does not
read “morning sunlight.”)
RULE: Use a comma after an introductory adverb clause.
Ex. After I finish my homework, I will go to the park.
Ex. When you go to the store, could you please pick up a gallon of milk?
NOTE: An adverb clause that comes at the end of a sentence does not usually need a comma.
Ex. I will go to the park after I finish my homework.
PRACTICE: Complete the following practice exercises.
Correcting Sentences by Using Commas to Set Off Parenthetical Expressions
The following sentences contain parenthetical expressions that require commas. Underline the parenthetical
expressions and insert commas before, after, or both before and after the expressions, as needed.
Ex. Everyone I suppose has heard of the Hubble Space Telescope.
Everyone, I suppose, has heard of the Hubble Space Telescope.
Ex. As a matter of fact even a small refracting telescope gives a good view of Saturn’s rings.
As a matter of fact, even a small refracting telescope gives a good view of Saturn’s rings.
1. You don’t need a telescope however to see all the beautiful sights in the night sky.
2. For instance on a summer night you might be able to view Scorpio, Serpens, and the Serpent Beaver.
3. By the way you should not overlook the Milky Way.
4. The Milky Way in fact is more impressive in the summer than at any other time of the year.
5. Hercules of course is an interesting constellation.
6. Studying the constellations is in my opinion a most interesting hobby.
7. It takes an active imagination however to spot some constellations.
8. Sagittarius for example is hard to see unless you’re familiar with a constellation map.
9. Scorpio on the other hand is quite clearly outlined.
10. Astronomy is a fascinating science I think.
Using Commas with Introductory Elements
If a comma is needed in the sentence, add the comma where it is necessary.
Ex. Walking among the tigers and lions the trainer seemed unafraid.
Walking among the tigers and lions, the trainer seemed unafraid.
1. Because pemmican remained good to eat for several years it was a practical food for many American
Indians.
2. Although Jesse did not win the student council election he raised many important issues.
3. On the desk in the den you will find your book.
4. Yes I enjoyed the fajitas that Ruben made.
5. Walking home from school Rosa saw her brother.
6. When I go to bed late I sometimes have trouble waking up in the morning.
7. Well we can watch television or play checkers.
8. Attracted by the computer games in the store window George decided to go in and buy one.
9. At the stoplight on the corner of the next block they made a right turn.
10. After eating the chickens settled down.
APPLICATION:
In English, we use commas to separate some things that occur at the beginning of the sentence
from what comes later. What are some symbols used in other disciplines (subject areas) that show
something only belongs to the beginning?
Comma Rules
Name: _________________________________________________ Date: __________ Period: ________
RULE: Use commas to separate items in dates and addresses.
Ex.
Ex.
Ex.
Ex.
RULE: Use a comma after the salutation of a personal letter and after the closing of a personal letter.
Ex.
Ex.
Ex.
PRACTICE: Insert commas into the following sentences wherever they are needed.
EXAMPLE
I received a package from my friend who lives in Irving Texas.
I received a package from my friend who lives in Irving, Texas.
1. On May 25 1935 the runner Jesse Owens tied or broke six world track records.
2. The American Saddle Horse Museum is located at 4093 Iron Works Pike Lexington KY 40511-8462.
3. Marian Anderson was born on February 27 1902 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
4. Our new address will be 1808 Jackson Drive Ames IA 50010-4437.
5. Ocean City New Jersey is a popular seaside resort.
6. October 15 2000 is an important date because I ate my first lobster then.
7. Have you ever been to Paisley Scotland?
8. We adopted our dog King Barnabus IV in Lee’s Summit Missouri on May 9 1995. (NOTE: This one has an
appositive as well!)
9. The national headquarters of the environmental Defense Fund is located at 257 Park Avenue South New
York NY 10010-7304.
10. Dear Lynn
I am fine. How are you and your family?