BASIC COMMA RULES
RULE / EXAMPLE
1.  COMPOUND SENTENCES: Use a comma to separate the parts of a compound sentence. / ·  Your answers are correct, but you did the wrong exercise.
·  Roberto’s wife liked the appliance, and he liked the price.
2.  INTRODUCTORY PHRASES/CLAUSES: Use a comma to set off an introductory clause or phrases or words. / ·  If I don’t write many essays this semester, I will be very unhappy.
·  While talking to Nakia about her plans, I found out that she is going to take her favorite English teacher to Hawaii.
3.  ITEMS IN A SERIES: Use a comma between three or more words in a series. / ·  Rats need a place to hide, to nest, and to breed.
·  My favorite sports are swimming, tennis, and skiing.
4.  NON-ESSENTIAL PHRASES/CLAUSES: Use commas to set off and enclose non-essential phrases or clauses; non-essential phrases or clauses serve to provide extra information or clarification. / ·  Mrs. Brown, who liked the book, recommended it to me.
·  The tiger, which was driven mad by hunger, killed the sheep.
5.  QUOTATIONS: Use commas with direct quotations. (Note the variations.) / ·  The student, “I love learning about commas!”
·  “I can’t wait to study these comma rules,” the student said.
·  “I must study,” the student said, “because we have a quiz.”
·  “Don’t interrupt me! I’m studying!” the student shouted.
·  “Can’t I study longer?” the student asked.
6.  INTRODUCTORY WORDS: Use a comma to set off words such as yes, no, well, and however at the beginning of a sentence. / ·  No, I have not traveled to Mexico.
·  Furthermore, I don’t have enough money for the trip.
7.  INTERRUPTERS: Use commas to set off words and expressions which interrupt the sentence (often called parenthetical expressions, because the words themselves are not essential to the sentence and could be placed in parentheses). / ·  You are, of course, planning to study these comma rules.
·  Some students, however, write essays in their free time for fun.
8.  DIRECT ADDRESS: Use a comma to set off a noun of direct address. / ·  Arianna, please pass the potatoes.
·  I’m sorry, Joseph, but I can’t give you my pizza.
9.  APPOSITIVES: Use a comma to set off appositives (words that rename nouns). / ·  Ms. Awesome, our English teacher, lives in Chicago.
·  The Mississippi River, the great river of North America, pours into the Gulf of Mexico
10.  ADDRESSES AND DATES: Use a comma to set off the items in addresses and dates. / ·  Thornton Township High School is located at 15001 Broadway Avenue, Harvey, IL 60426.
·  On January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
11.  COORDINATING ADJECTIVES: Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives (descriptive words) BEFORE a noun if the word order of the two could be reversed and the word and could be substituted for a comma. / ·  It was a warm, sunny day.
·  Have you seen that red-haired, freckle-faced teenager?
·  I live in the big red house. *No comma
12.  ENDING QUESTIONS: Use a comma to set off an ending or “tag” question (added at the end of a sentence to imply a yes or no answer). / ·  You’re going to study these rules every day, aren’t you?
·  English class is the best class, right?