E IGHT B ASIC C OMMA R ULES Punctuating Sentences Correctly by

D EFINITION A comma is a punctuation mark that indicates a pause is needed in a sentence. Commas help to clarify meaning for the reader. Punctuation Saves Lives!

I TEMS IN A S ERIES Place commas in a sentence to divide items in a list—separate items in a series. An “item” may refer to a noun, verb, adjective, or phrase. Incorrect: I need to buy eggs milk lettuce and bread. Correct: I need to buy eggs, milk, lettuce, and bread.

C OMPOUND S ENTENCES Use a comma to separate independent clauses (complete sentences) when they are joined by a coordinating conjunction: and, or, for, nor so, but, yet Incorrect: I want to buy that jacket but it is too expensive. Correct: I want to buy that jacket, but it is too expensive.

C OMPLEX S ENTENCES Use a comma to separate a dependent clause (phrase) from an independent clause (complete sentence). Incorrect: Without water the plant will die. Correct: Without water, the plant will die.

I NTERRUPTING E LEMENTS Use a comma to separate a word or phrase from the rest of the sentence that is not essential to the sentence meaning. Incorrect: My mother on the other hand does not like chocolate. Correct: My mother, on the other hand, does not like chocolate. Notice that if you remove the phrase “on the other hand,” the remaining words form a complete sentence!

D IRECT Q UOTATION Use a comma to separate a quotation from the rest of a sentence. Incorrect: “We need to buy more sugar” he said “before it runs out!” Correct: “We need to buy more sugar, ” he said, “before it runs out!” Incorrect: We need to buy more sugar he said. Correct: “We need to buy more sugar, ” he said.”

I NTRODUCTORY E LEMENTS Use a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of the sentence. Incorrect: Hi how are you? Correct: Hi, how are you?

S EPARATING C ITY AND S TATE Use a comma to separate the name of a city from a state and/or country. Incorrect: I live in San Diego California USA. Correct: I live in San Diego, California, USA.

D ATES Use a comma to separate the day of the week, the day of the month, and the year. Incorrect: Today is Monday November Correct: Today is Monday, November 15, 2012.