The Twelve Comma
Rules
Courtesy of:
www.hopkins.k12.mn.us/pages/north/curric/larts/comarules.html
Comma Rules #1- Items in a
Series
A series contains at least three items, and
those can be words or groups of words.
1.
2.
3.
4.
I bought pizza, pop, and candy. (nouns)
The dog was big, mean, and furry. (adjectives)
She hopped, jumped, and skipped. (verbs)
Georgia slipped on the ice, screamed out loud, and broke
her toe. (verb phrases)
The comma before the and is optional, but I want
you to use it for clarity.
Comma Rules #2Introductory Elements
Introductory elements are words or groups of
words that come at the beginning of a
sentence.
2.
1. Actually, I really like flamingos.
Screaming wildly, the woman crashed through the window.
3. Hey, that’s not your papaya.
4. To make the information clearer, I talked slowly.
Comma Rules #3Interrupters
Interrupters are words or groups of words
that interrupt the main thought or the
sentence. Pretend that the interrupter
sticks out its foot and trips the main idea.
1. You can, for example, buy CDs on the Internet.
2. Rachel, my little sister, is silly. (This is also called an
appositive.)
3. You can eat dessert now, I suppose.
Notice that commas are needed on either side of the
interrupter UNLESS it’s at the end of the sentence.
Comma Rules #4- Direct
Address
“Direct address” means you are directly
addressing (or speaking to) someone.
1.
2.
3.
4.
I told you, Bob, to stop eating mud pies.
Sean, bring the llama here.
Do you like socks, Ebonie?
I’ve asked you not to eat in class before, Anthony, and I
mean it.
Notice that commas are needed on either side of
the name if it’s in the middle of the sentence.
Comma Rules #5- Large
Numbers
Large numbers (four or more digits) need
commas. Count back from the right every
three digits.
123,456,789
For really large numbers, it’s easier to use the words
(7,500,000,000 becomes 7.5 billion.)
Comma Rule #6- Dates
Separate parts of a date UNLESS only the
month and year are written.
1.
2.
3.
I will see you on Friday, December 31, 2008.
September 23, 1971, is the day I was born.
The next Olympics are in July 2000. (no comma)
Notice that commas are needed on either side of
the date UNLESS it’s at the end of the
sentence.
Comma Rule #7- Addresses
When writing addresses, use commas between
the parts EXCEPT between the state and the
ZIP code.
We live at 923 Cuckoo Lane, #313, Virginia, MN 55792.
International Falls, Minnesota, is often the cold spot of the nation.
Think about how you would write out an envelope:
street address
apartment/suite #
city, state ZIP
See the parts? Keep them separated with commas. Notice
commas are needed on either side of the address UNLESS it’s at
the end of the sentence.
Comma Rule #8-Titles
Titles can be degrees, occupations, Jr./Sr.,
etc.
Louie Snickerdoodle, M.D., was a wacky doctor.
Ken Griffey, Jr., is a great athlete.
I really admire Grover Monster, Ph.D.
Sincerely,
Mark Parr, principal
Notice that commas are need on either side of the
title unless it’s at the end of a sentence.
Comma Rule #9- Compound
Sentences
A compound sentence is made up of two
complete sentences joined by a conjunction.
Remember, a complete sentence needs a
SUBJECT (who or what) and a VERB (what
the subject does).
Mrs. Yesnes saw that movie, and she really liked it.
(full sentence)
(conj.)
(full sentence)
To remember which conjunctions use a comma,
remember F A N B O Y S
(for, and , nor, but, or, yet, so)
Comma Rule #10- Dialogue
Set off the exact words of the speaker from
the rest of the sentence.
1. “Hello,” said Mrs. G.
2. “Howdy,” said the class, “how are you?” (one sentence)
Or
3. “Howdy,” said the class. “How are you?” (two sentences)
Look at the two divided sentences above. Why is one
how capitalized, and the other isn’t? It’s because of
the punctuation. The comma goes inside of the
quotation marks, not outside them or underneath
them. Write carefully! Also, for every new speaker,
start a new paragraph.
Comma Rule #11- to
Separate Equal Adjectives
Equal adjectives are adjectives that have the same
intensity or importance- one is not more important than
the other(s). This is different than items in a series
because there is not, and, or or. To find out whether
adjectives are equal, ask yourself if the word and
makes sense between them. If so, substitute the and
with a comma.
1. The big, hairy bear ate a popsicle. (Yes! You can say “big and hairy bear!”)
2. The cold December morning was depressing. (No! You can’t say “cold and
December.”)
3. Sweet, tasty milk chocolate is my favorite. (Notice that milk chocolate is
like one word.)
Comma Rule #12- Greeting&
Closing of a Letter
This one is easy:
Dear Mom,
Sincerely yours,
When writing a business letter, use a colon (:) after
the greeting.