1. PUNCTUATION IS AWESOME!!!
by Ms. B

2. Basic Rules for Using Commas

3. Comma Rules:

4. 1. Put a comma before and, but, or, for, nor, so, yet when they connect two complete sentences.

5. EXAMPLE I hate Mondays, but I love Fridays.

6. 2. Put a comma between each item in a series.

7. EXAMPLE He likes cake, ice cream, and turnips
EXAMPLE He likes cake, ice cream, and turnips. He ate dinner, felt sick, and looked for the aspirin.

8. Dates and addresses in sentences are like lists:

9. EXAMPLE Olive lives at 213 Pimento Drive, Santa Fe, New Mexico
EXAMPLE Olive lives at 213 Pimento Drive, Santa Fe, New Mexico. She was born January 23, 1923.

10. 3. Put a comma after an introductory expression that does not flow smoothly into the sentence--a word, group of words, or dependent clause.

11. EXAMPLE No, I don't want any
EXAMPLE No, I don't want any. Rushing to the door, she dropped the pizza. When she picked it up, it had unspeakable grime on it.

12. 4. Put commas around the name of a person spoken to.

13. EXAMPLE What I mean, Reggie, is that you're in the dog house.

14. 5. Put commas around an expression that interrupts the flow of a sentence (like however, finally, therefore, on the other hand, of course, by the way, I think, etc.)

15. EXAMPLE She thought, of course, that Nick Cannon was great.

16. 6. Put commas around nonessential material--material that the sentence could survive without.

17. EXAMPLE Gladys, who loves to ice skate, broke her toe
EXAMPLE Gladys, who loves to ice skate, broke her toe. The house, which we painted last week, is for sale.

18. Names and Titles Ex: Dr. Brown, PhD. Ex: Mrs. Smith, R.N., B.S.
Also when using the last name first
Ex: Bond, James
Used often in books (and MLA)

19. Mild Interjections Use a comma to set off mild interjections!
Ex: Oh, it will freeze.
Ex: My gosh, that’s smart.

20. Phrases that Express Contrast
Use a comma to set off phrases that express contrast or a distinct pause or shift
Ex: You need to pay attention now, not later.
Ex: The game is today, not tomorrow.

21. Separate Adjectives
Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives that describe the same noun
(coordinating adjectives) describe the same noun equally (Does it make sense to put in an and?)
Ex: I will go into the small, cramped room.
Not: The powerful [x] summer sun beat down upon them.

22. Quoted Words and Dialogue
Use a comma to set off quoted words and dialogue
Before the quote
Ex: I said, “go to the mall.”
After the quote
Ex: “Go to the mall,” I said.
Use a comma to set off the noun you are directly talking to.
Ex: Mom, go get me a soda.

23. Transition/Introductory Words and Phrases
Use a comma to set off transition words from the rest of the sentence
Ex: Unfortunately, there is no free lunch
Ex: I don’t want to take the test, however, I need to.