Comma Rules How and When to use them!

Comma Rule 1: Use commas to separate items in a series A series is three or more items written one after another. The items may be words, groups of words, phrases, or clauses. Ex. 1. December, January, and February are cold months in Maine. (words in a series) 2. For lunch I had a sandwich, some milk, and an apple. (groups of words) 3. There are spots at the top, on the sides, and on the bottom. (phrases in a series) 4. We sang, we danced, and we played games at the party. (clauses in a series)

Practice Rule 1: copy each sentence and insert commas if they are necessary. Then say if it is because of a list of words, group of words, phrases, or clauses. Try It Denise raises guppies and goldfish and mollies. Our dog can roll over walk on his hind feet and catch a Frisbee. Shakespeare was a playwright a poet and an actor.

Comma Rule 2: Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives immediately before a noun. The comma should be placed between the two or more adjectives. Ex. Jupiter is a large, strange planet. Smoking is a costly, dangerous habit Try It: My water spaniel is a fat sassy puppy. Tom Brady played a powerful brilliant game.

Comma Rule 3: Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, and yet when they join independent clause in a compound sentence. Ex: Kelly offered to get the tickets, and I accepted. They had been working very hard, but they didn’t seem very tired. The twins will see their favorite baby sitter, for their parents are going out.

Practice Rule 3: Try It 1. Each of the goddesses wanted to be chosen the most beautiful and each of them offered the Gods gifts. 2. The Greeks attacked Troy but the Trojans did not give up.

Comma Rule 4: use commas to set off participle phrases and adjective clauses ONLY when they are NOT essential to the basic meaning of the sentence Ex. My sister, listening to her radio, did not hear me talking to her. (nonessential phrase- commas needed ) The boy who is speaking lived in Maine for two years. (essential phase- no commas needed)

Practice Rule 4: Practice Rule 4: Decide if the sentences have NON-ESSENTIAL phrases that need to be set off by commas. Insert commas and underline the non-essential phrase in each sentence. Try It: 1. I saw your mother who was shopping at the mall. 2. Fenway Park located five blocks from downtown Boston has tours during the winter. 3. You must return the pen that you borrowed.

Comma Rule #5 Use a comma after certain introductory elements: After an introductory phrase: Ex. Beginning a new school year, Stacy felt a little nervous. After two or more prepositional phrases: Ex. In the morning, sunlight streamed through the window.

Prepositional Phrases Prepositional Phrase: Starts with a preposition and ends with a noun. Common prepositions: atbeforeexceptlikepasttowardwith abovebelowforofsinceunderwithin acrossbehindfromoffthroughuntilwithout alongdowninonthroughoutup byduringintoovertoupon