Comma Rules Once and For All (Woo Hoo!)

Comma Rule #1: Items in a Series Use a comma to set off items in a series, EVEN THE LAST TWO. He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to Nebraska.   My favorite colors are blue, gold, and indigo.

Comma Rule #2: Compound Sentences Use a comma + a conjunction (and, for, nor, or, but, so, yet) to connect two independent clauses (complete sentences/complete thoughts). He would have won the race, but he was struck by lightning. I will destroy you in a game of Scrabble, and then you will honor me.

Comma Rule #3: Introductory Elements Use a comma to set off an introductory phrase that occurs before the “main part” of the sentence. According to Jim, two plus two is nine. To win the game, you must capture all your opponents’ pawns. Although he is a talented cashier, he tends to have lapses of bizarre and disturbing behavior. My journey now complete, I set off for the Turkish mountains to raise goats.

Comma Rule #4: Parenthetical Elements Use a comma to set off parenthetical elements. The Founders Bridge, which spans the Connecticut River, is falling down. Leah, his wife, started the foundation out of love and admiration for the Osmonds. John’s ambition, to become a professional dodgeball player, is suddenly within reach.  

Comma Rule #5: Multiple Adjectives Use a comma to separate multiple adjectives. The tall, distinguished, good-looking fellow you saw was my mother. The movie was a taut, suspenseful thriller.

Comma Rule #5: Multiple Adjectives (contd.) *If you can put an and or a but between the adjectives, it needs a comma. If putting an and or but between the adjectives would seem awkward or silly-sounding, it doesn’t need a comma. The little old lady stole my Powerade. (You wouldn’t say “The little and old lady…”) The big red zit on my nose won’t go away. (You wouldn’t say “The big and red zit…”)

Comma Rule #6: Quoted Elements Use a comma to set off quoted elements. “Don’t ever come back,” he said. I replied, “Yes, but shouldn’t John be penalized for using floss as a weapon?”

Comma Rule #7: Interjections Use commas to set off interjections. Wow, I’ve never seen that before! Man, I’m so tired. Then I thought, dang, what is he going to do next? Natasha, pass me the butter. I know that, John, shut up!

Comma Rule #8: Contrasting Phrases Use commas to set off contrasting phrases. The puppies were cute, but very dangerous criminal masterminds. I eat cereal out of a cup, not a bowl. His answer was clever, but incorrect.

Comma Rule #9: Avoiding Confusion Use a comma to avoid confusion (Rule #3). Outside the lawn was covered with broken branches. Outside, the lawn was covered with broken branches.

Comma Rule #10: City/State, Dates, Name/Title, Long Numbers Use a comma between city and state, date and year, name and title, and in long numbers. I was born December 15, 1978, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Bernard and Linda Heilman. Shane Heilman, Master Somersaulter, let Bryce Loe win at the annual Oriole Olympic festivities last Friday. The lecture will be given by Adam Duritz, Professor of English at Berkeley University.