By: Brittney Holmes And Dairy So

Rules for using commas: 1. Commas are used to list three or more items in a series. A serial comma (also called an “Oxford comma”) is a comma used before the word “and” in a list or series. 1. Commas are used to list three or more items in a series. A serial comma (also called an “Oxford comma”) is a comma used before the word “and” in a list or series. Ex: We were eating pizza, chips, and soda.

2. Use a comma in front of a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to connect two independent clauses. 2. Use a comma in front of a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to connect two independent clauses. Ex: The employee was late to work, so his boss fired him.

3. Use a comma after an introductory element. 3. Use a comma after an introductory element. Ex: Whenever Brittney laughs, she makes a weird snorting sound. Ex: For instance, that transitional phrase should be set off by a comma.

4. Use a comma before and after the unnecessary phrases that can be eliminated out of the sentence where it will not change the meaning. 4. Use a comma before and after the unnecessary phrases that can be eliminated out of the sentence where it will not change the meaning. Ex: Dairy, my best friend, went to school with me for five years.

5. “Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives (a series of descriptive words-- modifiers--describing a noun). If you can put an and or but between the adjectives, a comma will probably belong there” (Darling). 5. “Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives (a series of descriptive words-- modifiers--describing a noun). If you can put an and or but between the adjectives, a comma will probably belong there” (Darling). Ex: That suave, smart, outgoing-looking man is my English professor. Ex: The cute, little puppy was sleeping in the red brick house.

6. Use a comma before a quoted phrase except when using the word “that.” 6. Use a comma before a quoted phrase except when using the word “that.” Ex: Jo said that she was going to the mall. Ex: Jo said, ” I am going to the mall.”

7. “Use commas to set off phrases that express contrast” (Darling). 7. “Use commas to set off phrases that express contrast” (Darling). Ex: The kittens were cute, yet very wild.

8. Use a comma to help avoid confusion in a sentence. 8. Use a comma to help avoid confusion in a sentence. Ex. Outside the lawn was cluttered with hundreds of broken branches. Outside, the lawn was cluttered with hundreds of broken branches.

9. Do Not use a comma between a subject and its verb!!! 9. Do Not use a comma between a subject and its verb!!! Ex: Susan ran fast down the street after the bus.

10. Commas used for typographical reasons: 10. Commas used for typographical reasons: Between city and state, date and year (exception--no comma with month and year: June 2006), name and title (title after name), long numbers. Between city and state, date and year (exception--no comma with month and year: June 2006), name and title (title after name), long numbers.

Caution!!!!!! Use commas sparingly without overusing them! Follow the comma rules and not the “pausing” rule. Use commas sparingly without overusing them! Follow the comma rules and not the “pausing” rule. Ex. "Believing completely and positively in oneself is essential for success." [Although readers might pause after the word "oneself," there is no reason to put a comma there.]

Works Cited Page Darling, Charles. "Rules for Comma Usage." Guide to Grammar and Writing. n.d. Capital Community College Foundation. 15 June ar/commas.htmhttp://grammar.ccc.connect.edu/gramm ar/commas.htm

Addresses. (Send us your comma questions!) Dairy Brittney