COMMAS RULES
Rule #1: Use commas to separate items in a series.
A series is three or more items written one after another. The items may be words
or groups of related words.
Examples:
* Apples, oranges, and bananas are all fruits. (Words in a series)
* For exercise I did 10 push-ups, 20 sit-ups, and 30 jumping jacks. (Groups of words
in a series)
* They picked up the snowball, threw it, and made another one. (Groups of actions in a
series)
* There was mud on the carpet, on the floor, and on his shoes. (Prepositional phrases in
a series)
What is the difference between these two sentences?
Mom, Jody, and I want to go to the movies.
Mom, Jody and I want to go to the movies.
In the second example, is Mom being asked, or does she want to go?
*** Some writers omit the comma before the and between the last two items in a
series. Nevertheless, you should form the habit of including this comma, since a
comma is sometimes necessary to make you meaning clear.
* Always be sure that there are at least three items in the series; two items do not
need a comma.
Example: You will need a pencil and plenty of paper.
* When all the items in the series are separated by “and” you do not need a comma.
Example: Take Bob and Joe and Mark with you.
A. Some of the following sentences need commas: others do not. If a sentence is
correct write "correct" on the line provided. If the sentence needs commas, write
the sentence correctly on the line provided.
1. Salmon and trout are my favorite fish.
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2. Cleveland Toledo and Dayton are three cities in Ohio.
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3. The captain entered the cockpit checked her instruments and prepared for takeoff.
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4. Denise raises guppies and goldfish and mollies.
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5. The speaker took a deep breath and read her report.
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6. Rover can roll over walk on his hind feet and catch a Frisbee.
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7. The neighbors searched behind the garages in the driveways and along the highway.
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8. Shakespeare was a playwright a poet and an actor.
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9. Eleanor Roosevelt's courage her humanity and her service to the nation is remembered.
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10. Rivers overflowed in Virginia and North Carolina.
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Life is a highway.
Enjoy the ride.
Rule #2: Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives
(describing words) immediately before a noun.
Examples:
* Jupiter is a large, strange planet.
* Roger Clemens pitched a powerful, brilliant inning.
** Some adjectives are so closely connected in meaning to the nouns they describe that
no comma is needed to separate them from another adjective.
Examples: The girls are refinishing the old oak chest.
TEST: You can test to see whether or not a comma is needed by inserting an “and
“between the adjectives. If the “and” sounds right, use a comma.
B. In the following sentences, add commas where needed. If the sentence does not
need a comma, simply write "Correct" after the sentence. Rules #1 and #2 will be
used.
1. Shakespeare created such memorable characters as Falstaff Lady Macbeth and Iago.
2. Among Robert Fulton's interests were the submarine and a steam warship.
3. Smoking is a costly dangerous habit.
4. Katie Couric’s upbeat intelligent approach makes her an effective news anchor.
5. Buffalo Bill was a Pony Express rider a scout and a touring stunt performer.
6. Jack Russell terriers are small energetic dogs.
7. In home economics we must gather the thread measure it and cut it.
8. Johnny is a funny wild character in my favorite book.
9. He thinks he is important wise and dignified.
10. Michael begged for mercy in a fight ran away and later bragged about his bravery.
No one chooses to become addicted to smoking. It just happens over time.
Rule #3: Use a comma before and, but, for, nor, or, yet and so
when they join independent clauses in a compound sentence.
and, but, for, nor, or, yet, and so are called coordinating conjunctions and they
simply join groups of words.
Betty offered to get the tickets, and I accepted.
They had been working very hard, but they didn't seem especially tired.
Write your sentence with two independent clauses here:
________________________________________________________________________
Does this sentence have two independent clauses?
Usually we study in the morning and play tennis in the afternoon.
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C. If the sentence is correct, write "Correct" after the sentence. If it is not correct,
correct the sentence.
1. I enjoyed The King and I but Wicked is still my favorite musical.
2. I’m tired but I can’t sleep.
3. Everyone seemed excited for it was time to begin.
4. The water was cold yet it looked inviting.
5. I enjoy baseball but NFL football is more popular.
6. The cat can stay inside or go out.
7. No one else was there so we left.
8. I have quite a bit of homework and I have a soccer game after school.
9. I can’t wait for the weekend but I have to mow the lawn on Saturday.
10. My favorite holiday is Halloween because I get to eat lots of candy.
Here are some additional notes to go with this rule (as discussed in class):
A conjunction is
a lot like the
cars of a train.
A conjunction is
the word that
“connects” the
cars. A
conjunction
“connects”
sentences.

What is a clause?
A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb.

What is an independent clause?
An independent clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb that can
stand alone.
Example: I (S) went (V) to the park.

Coordinating Conjunctions: and, but, for, nor, or, yet, so. (Your “fanboys”)
When you have 2 independent clauses combined with a coordinating conjunction, you need
a comma.
He went to the game, and he played well.
When you combine two sentences in this way, you have created a compound sentence.
Rule #4: Appositives and Appositive phrases are usually set off
by commas.
An Appositive is a word or group of words that tell more about the preceding word.
Example: The Weather Channel, which is very entertaining, is on 24 hours a day.
Mrs. Metzger, the secretary of our school, is in Florida.
Note: When the appositive is a single word closely related to the preceding word, the
comma is not needed.
Example:
The band Metallica had quite a few hits.
D. In the following sentences, supply commas where necessary. If the sentence does
not require a comma, write "Correct" after the sentence. Circle all appositive
phrases.
1. Mars one of the closest planets can be seen without a telescope.
2. The whole class has read the book Treasure Island.
3. Shana Alexander a former editor of McCall's was the main speaker.
4. Do you own a thesaurus a dictionary of synonyms and antonyms?
5. Rubber an elastic substance quickly restores itself to its original size and shape.
6. Former President Carter's daughter Amy was a young child when they lived in the
White House.
7. The North Sea an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is rich in fish natural gas and oil.
8. Barry Larkin former shortstop for the Reds hit a home run in three games this year.
9. The Bengals who played well last year played a tough exhausting game against the
Packers in the playoffs.
10. This weekend November 8th-11th you will have to baby-sit.
Write 4 sentences:
1. Show your understanding of separating items in a series.
2. Show your understanding of separating two or more adjectives before a noun.
3. Show your understanding of using a comma before coordinating conjunctions when
they join independent clauses in a compound sentence.
4. Show your understanding of using a comma in an appositive phrase.
1._____________________________________________________________________________
2._____________________________________________________________________________
3._____________________________________________________________________________
4._____________________________________________________________________________
Rule #5: Words used in a direct address are set off by commas.
A direct address is a word used to speak to another person directly by name or by
title. A direct address may be found at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.
Examples
Ben, please answer the doorbell.
Mother needs you, Carl.
E. In the following sentences, supply commas where needed: (Circle the direct
address.)
1. Andrea when are you leaving for Detroit?
2. Pay attention now class.
3. Let us my friends give the team our support.
4. Please Dad may I borrow the car.
5. Senator please summarize your tax proposal.
6. The teacher came to the meeting.
7. You realize John that you must have permission, don't you?
8. Go Lisa and take our best regards with you.
9. Please answer the letter for me Mr. President.
10. Why, how could Ron have felt that way?
Is someone
calling me?
“Quack,
Quack?”
Rule #6: Use commas after introductory words, such as well,
yes, no, oh, and why.
Examples:
Yes, you may borrow my bicycle.
Why, it's Emmitt!
F. Supply commas where needed in the following sentences. In the space provided
tell why you put the comma there.
1. Yes there are many sights visible in the summer sky.
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2. What time is your appointment Kevin?
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3. Elizabeth Bishop a well-known American poet died in 1971.
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4. Quick violent flashes of lightning cause approximately 27,500 forest fires a year.
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5. A single branch stuck out of the water and the beaver grasped it in its paws.
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6. This hard-working animal builds dams lodges and canals.
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Rule #7: Use a comma after two or more introductory (at the
beginning of the sentence) prepositional phrases.
Example: At the bottom of the hill, you will see a baseball field.
Rule #8: Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions.
A parenthetical expression is a side remark that adds information or relates ideas.
Examples: John, in my opinion, is a very hard working student.
Common parenthetical expressions:
by the way
for example
however
I believe
in fact
in my opinion
I suppose
nevertheless
of course
on the contrary
on the other hand
to tell the truth
This is not John!
Some of these expressions do not always need commas... See if
You can hear a pause. If so, use the comma.
I suppose we ought to study for the test. (no comma )
Tonight, I suppose, we should study for the test.
We should study for the test, I suppose.
G. Supply commas to the following sentences. If the sentence contains a
parenthetical expression, underline the expression.
1. You don't need a telescope however to see all the beautiful sights in the night sky.
2. At the beginning of the festival the guests paid an admission.
3. The photograph on the next page for example shows marchers dressed as warriors.
4. On the desk in the den you will find your book.
5. By the way you should not look directly at the sun.
6. Studying weather in my opinion is very interesting.
7. To tell the truth Jan is one of my best friends.
8. At the end of the second quarter a half-time show will be presented.
9. Weather is very exciting I think.
10. At the stoplight on the corner of the next block they made a right turn.
Rule #9: Use a comma after an introductory (beginning of the
sentence) subordinate clause.
A clause is a group of words that contain a verb and its subject and is used as part of a
sentence.
An independent clause has a subject and verb, expresses a complete thought, and can
stand alone in a sentence.
Example: I woke up late this morning.
A subordinate clause (also called dependent) has a subject and verb, does not express
a complete thought, and cannot stand alone in a sentence.
Example: Since we first met
Subordinate clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions.
Subordinating conjunctions:
After
although
as
as if
as long as
as much as
as soon as
as though
because
before
how
if
in order that
since
so that
than
though
unless
until
when
whenever
where
wherever
while
As you can see,
When I went to the park…. Begins with “when” (which is on your list).
*** You would need to add an independent clause to make this a complete sentence.
For example: When I went to the park, I had a good time.
If a sentence starts with a subordinate (or dependent) clause, it needs to be
followed by a comma.
When I went to the park, I had a good time.
Directions:
Choose 4 of the red-text words above and create a sentence that starts with a subordinate
clause. Remember, a subordinate clause begins with one of the words above (called
subordinate conjunctions), has a subject and a verb, but it CANNOT stand alone.
Underline the subordinate clause and label the subject and verb.
*** Don’t forget your comma!!!
Rule #10: Use a comma to set off parts of a date. Use a comma
between the day and the month. Also use a comma between the
date and the year. Within a sentence, put a comma after the
year as well.
My nephew was born on Friday, May 9, 1986, in New York.
When writing an address, use a comma to separate the city and the state or country.
If an address is within a sentence, use a comma after the name, the street address,
and the town or city. Use a comma after the state or the ZIP Code, whichever comes
last within the sentence. Although, do not put a comma between the state and ZIP
Code.
Example: Mail the letter to Meg Foster, 10 Landview, Blue Ash, Ohio 45242.
H. Supply commas where necessary in the following sentences. If there is an adverb
clause, underline the clause.
1. On Monday May 25 1935 Jesse Owens tied or broke six world track records.
2. When I go to bed late I have trouble waking up the next morning.
3. If I paint for two more hours I should be able to finish.
4. As soon as I wake up I plan to run for two miles.
5. The American Saddle Horse Museum is located at 4093 Iron Works Pike Lexington
Kentucky 40511.
6. Ocean City New Jersey is a popular seaside resort.
7. Because of the snow we have to make up two days of school.
8. While I'm studying I like to listen to music.
9. Whenever I work at Kings Island I see many students.
10. Our ZIP Code address is Montgomery OH 45242.
Write an example of rule #9 and rule #10 below:
#9___________________________________________________________________
#10__________________________________________________________________
Comma Quiz
Listed below are examples of each of the comma rules we have
discussed in class. First, add commas to the sentences below.
1. Billy is inclined to exaggerate but his stories are entertaining.
2. The treasure map directed them through the woods over the
mountain and past the bridge.
3. She left detailed precise instructions for the substitute.
4. Our new kitten who could not find his mother meowed loudly.
Secondly, explain the rule used for each of the sentences above (in
the order presented above, not in your packet) and give an example
of your own.
Rule #1:
Example:
Rule #2:
Example:
Rule #3:
Example:
Rule #4:
Example:
Comma Test
Name___________________________
Listed below are examples of each of the comma rules we have
discussed in class. First, add commas to the sentences below.
1. The white tiger and the panther require a patient brave trainer.
2. There is no reason in my opinion to expect defeat.
3. Sign your name at the top on the line and at the bottom.
4. A giraffe which can run faster than a horse can go without water
longer than a camel can.
5. Team pay attention when I am speaking.
6. The sky was dark and cloudy but the sun was still out.
7. At the end of the third inning the two boys noticed each other.
8. On December 17 1903 in Kitty Hawk North Carolina, modern
aviation was born.
9. When the Titanic sank many lives were lost.
10. Yes you are taking a comma test today.
(____/10)
Secondly, explain the rule used for each of the sentences above and
give an example of your own.
Rule #1:
Example:
Rule #2:
Example:
Rule #3:
Example:
Rule #4:
Example:
Rule #5
Example:
Rule #6
Example:
Rule #7
Example:
Rule #8
Example:
Rule #9
Example:
Rule #10
Example:
(_____/40)
Total (_____/100)