1. WHEN TO USE THE COMMA,

2. IN A SERIES Use a comma to separate items in a series of more than 2. Use a comma before the last item in a series. (It’s optional, but I like the Oxford Comma!) We ate bananas, apples, and strawberries

3. IN A COMPOUND SENTENCES To separate two independent clauses you must use a comma + a coordinating conjunction. Coordinating Conjunctions: FANBOYS; for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. We went to the game, but we were late. John bought candy, and he ate it all.

4. “INVERSIONS” (INTRODUCTORY CLAUSES) When a phrase or clause comes before the subject of the sentence, put the comma after the inversion. Made up of one independent clause (I.C.) and one dependent clause (D.C.). Whenever John drives, we run out of gas. After the game, we will watch movies. If the I.C. comes first, no comma. we went to the game because we were bored.

5. “TAKEOUTS” (PARENTHETICAL ELEMENTS, APPOSITIVE PHRASES) You must use 2 commas around the takout. If the phrase is vital to the meaning of the sentence, don’t put commas around it. John, my uncle from Ohio, will visit us. Math, which I struggle with, is Fred’s favorite subject. The strawberries which were covered in mold had to be thrown out.

6. TO SEPARATE COORDINATE ADJECTIVES If the words and or but could fit in between the adjectives, a comma will go there. The tall, distinguished, good-looking fellow walked down the street.

7. OTHER TIMES TO USE COMMAS To set off contrast: Some say the world will end in ice, not fire. To set off a quotation (don’t use it if it’s worked in to the sentence): "The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many things." Typographical Reasons: Between a city and a state [Hartford, Connecticut], a date and the year [June 15, 1997]

8. IF IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT!