1. A Quick Help Guide

2. 1. Use commas between 2 independent clauses that are joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or nor, for, yet, so). EX: He stumbled in the dark, but he never fell off the narrow ledge. 2. Use commas to separate 2 or more adjectives that equally modify the same noun. EX: Ben’s eyes med the hard, bright lights hanging directly above her. 3. Use commas to separate contrasted elements within a sentence. EX: Working long hours in the hot sun, not under the cover of the trees, she developed a deep tan. REASONS 1, 2, & 3

3. 4. Use commas to set off nonrestrictive appositives. An appositive identifies or renames a preceding noun or pronoun. Nonrestrictive means that it is not necessary in order for the sentence to be understandable. EX: Benson, our uninhibited and enthusiastic Yorkshire terrier, joined our family on my sister’s fifteenth birthday. 5. Use commas to separate individual words, phrases or clauses in a series. ( A series contains at least three items.) EX: Dad likes meat, vegetables, and a salad for dinner. REASONS 4 & 5

4. 6. Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase or after a long introductory prepositional phrase. EX 1: Determined to finish the sweater by Friday, my grandmother knit night and day. EX 2: In the oddest places and at the strangest times, my grandmother can be found knitting madly away. 7. Use commas to separate parenthetical elements, such as an explanatory word or phrase, within a sentence. EX: Victor dived into the, toward the group of girls, and emerged with a grin. REASONS 6 & 7

5. 8. Use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses and participial phrases. EX: The Altena Fitness Center and Visker Gymnasium, which were built last year, are busy every day. REASON 8

6. 1. To set off dates….October 18, 1992 2. To set off items in addresses….Spokane, Washington 20077 3. In numbers….3,097,789 4. To enclose titles….Letitia O’Reilly, M.D. 5. To set off dialogue…”It’s like we have our own government,” adds Tanya. 6. To set off interjections….”Wow, how will you reach such a high goal?” POSSIBLE, AND MORE OBVIOUS, REASONS