2. Use a comma to set off the elements of a series (three or more things), including the last two. You may have learned that this comma is not necessary; however, new grammatical rules have deemed it necessary. The recipe calls for two eggs, one cup flour, and three cups sugar.

3. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to separate two independent clauses. The house was wrecked from the tornado, yet the barn was untouched. Remember that an independent clause has both a subject and a verb, and can stand on its own as a full sentence.

4. Use a comma to separate phrases or words at the beginning of the sentence. The important thing to remember about this comma rule is that if the introductory element can be taken completely out of the sentence, and the sentence still makes sense, a comma can go there. Anxious about her upcoming test, Paula had a panic attack. In 1954, my mother was born.

5. Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives. The spicy, cheesy nachos were very yummy. In order to put a comma between coordinate adjectives, they must pass two tests. TEST 1place “and” between the adjectives TEST 2switch the placement of the adjectives The drafty, dreary, dilapidated house was cheap. The spicy and cheesy nachos were very yummy. The cheesy, spicy nachos were very yummy.

6. The house was cute, but too expensive. Maria was ready for the test, yet didn’t do well. Use a comma to set off elements that express a contrast or turn in the sentence. Generally, this is shown by the words “not,” “but,” or “yet.” Please note that these are NOT the same as Rule #2, as these do not contain independent clauses.

7. We vacationed in San Diego, California. Their anniversary is March 16, 1952. Use a comma to set off states and countries, dates, titles, etc. Junya Bhandeet, President of the Gnome organization, was not present at the UN meeting on gnome awareness.

8. In Shakespeare’s “Sonnet XVIII,” he asks, “shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” Myrup said, “Hurry up with my Hot Pocket!” Use a comma to set off quoted language. “Sweden is the best place,” he said, “to listen to Gunther cds.”

9. Use a comma to set off parenthetical elements. This is the most difficult rule in comma usage. A parenthetical element is “added information,” something that can be removed from a sentence without changing the essential meaning of that sentence. Deciding what is “added information” and what is essential is sometimes difficult. See the next slide.

10. Robert Frost, perhaps America’s most beloved poet, died when he was 88. Frank, your absence means nothing to me. I am warning you, Hermit family, leave town now before the crickets are thrown at you. Note that this example also qualifies as another comma rule -- #3 – Commas and Introductory Elements. An addressed person (or group of people) is always parenthetical.

11. There were 18,028 men killed in the war. That painting is 1,203 years old. Use commas with numbers. A comma will be placed every three numbers from the right. Follow these examples. The world record for camel jumping is 157 feet.

12. Excuse me but there are of course many courses of action here. Otto said “Ron pass the cookies.” Yuma head of the William Shatner fan club threw a party for the newcomers. Quails are the most beautiful graceful creatures ever. Fletcher my eldest son was born on June 12 1985 in Atlanta Georgia. My little red car has 180000 miles on it.