1. Commas

2. Add commas as needed. After the show we all went out for dinner.
Carrying the bag of groceries Kayla walked up the stairs.

3. Use a comma after Introductory Word Groups
Exhausted from their hike, the campers collapsed on their bunks.
Although it is raining, I’m going to the park anyway.

4. Use a comma after Transitional Words & Phrases
In conclusion, my favorite class is English.
As a result, the party had to be postponed.
On the other hand, no one could deny what had happened.

5. Transitional Words & Phrases
However
Furthermore
Consequently
In addition
As a result
For example
In fact
Finally
For this reason
Therefore

6. Use commas to set off Interrupters
This outcome is not, I am sure, what you were expecting.
We decided, by the way, that Tuesday is the best day for the test.

7. How is this Sentence Correctly Written?
Nevertheless the Cavaliers won the football game.
A. Nevertheless the Cavaliers, won the football game.
B. Nevertheless, the Cavaliers won the football game.
C. Nevertheless, the Cavaliers, won the football game.
D. As it is

8. How is this Sentence Correctly Written?
Before Thomas left for school he made a phone call.
A. Before Thomas left for school, he made a phone call.
B. Before Thomas left, for school he made a phone call.
C. Before, Thomas left for school, he made a phone call.
D. As it is.

9. The boy walked in the room sat down and started writing.
“What” Mr. King asked “is the problem?”

10. Commas with Items in a Series
A series consists of three or more items. It can be words or groups of words.
I am cold, tired, and hungry.
The dog barked, the cow mooed, and the horse neighed.

11. Don’t use a comma . . . If there are only two items:
I am cold and tired.
Jake spends his free time playing ball and listening to music.

12. Use commas to set off a quotation.
“People should express their opinions by voting,” the mayor said. The coach stressed, “Practice is important if we want to have a winning season.” “Keep practicing and practicing,” the coach said, “until you can do it.”

13. Do Not Use a Comma with a Paraphrase
The mayor said that people have an obligation to vote.

14. How is this Sentence Correctly Written?
The driver turned left, drove two blocks, and then turned right.
A. The driver turned left, drove two blocks and then turned right.
B. The driver turned left drove two blocks, and then turned right.
C. The driver turned left drove two blocks and then turned right.
D. As it is

15. How is this Sentence Correctly Written?
“Let’s go to the swimming pool” Ryan said.
A. “Let’s go to the swimming pool”, Ryan said.
B. “Let’s go to the swimming pool.” Ryan said.
C. “Let’s go to the swimming pool,” Ryan said.
D. As it is.

16. How is this sentence correctly written?
Joey said that he would be ready in a minute.
A. Joey said that, “he would be ready in a minute.”
B. Joey said, “that he would be ready in a minute.”
C. Joey said, that he would be ready in a minute.
D. As it is

17. I told my mom the party would be over at 11:00 but I was wrong.
Did you read about Mr. Lester’s short happy life?

18. Use a Comma to Separate Equal Adjectives
If adjectives are equal, use a comma to separate the two words.
Equal Adjective Test: If you can insert the word AND between the adjectives and it makes sense, then you need a comma. If you can reverse the order of the adjectives and it makes sense, then you need a comma.
The labels had fallen off the old, dusty cans.
TEST: The labels had fallen off the old and dusty cans. The labels had fallen off the dusty, old cans.

19. How is this Sentence Correctly Written?
By the end of the game the field was a muddy, wet mess!
A. By the end of the game, the field was a muddy wet mess!
B. By the end of the game, the field was a muddy, wet mess!
C. By the end of the game the field was a muddy wet mess!
D. As it is

20. Use a Comma with a Conjunction to Form Independent Clauses
Use a comma with a FANBOYS word to join two sentences.
The car is old, but it is in good condition.
For
And
Nor
But Or
Yet So

21. Do Not Use a Comma in a Sentence with One Subject and Two Verbs
Megan opened the door and walked in the room.
Megan opened the door, and she walked in the room.

22. How is this Sentence Correctly Written?
Both people signed the agreement but they were not happy about it.
A. Both people signed the agreement: but they were not happy about it.
B. Both people signed the agreement, but they were not happy about it.
C. Both people signed the agreement but, they were not happy about it.
D. As it is

23. How is this Sentence Correctly Written?
After soccer practice, we drove into town and ate dinner.
A. After soccer practice, we drove into town, and ate dinner.
B. After soccer practice, we drove into town, and, ate dinner.
C. After soccer practice, we drove into town and, at dinner.
D. As it is

24. Essential Vs. Nonessential Word Groups
Use commas with phrases that are nonessential – these phrases could be left out without changing the meaning of the sentence.
Do Not use commas if the phrase is necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

25. For Example . . .
Not essential: The man, wearing a gray suit, left for work.
Essential: The man wearing a gray suit is my grandfather.

26. Which and That Which will introduce nonessential phrases.
That introduces essential clauses.
Nonessential: The book, which I finished yesterday, is due at the library.
Essential: The book that you borrowed from me is from the library.

27. How is this Sentence Correctly Written?
This painting which the artist completed in 1928 depicts soldiers in battle.
A. This painting, which the artist completed in 1928 depicts soldiers in battle.
B. This painting, which the artist completed in 1928, depicts soldiers in battle.
C. This painting which the artist completed in 1928, depicts soldiers in battle.
D. As it is

28. How is this Sentence Correctly Written?
The girl, riding the purple bicycle is my younger sister.
A. The girl, riding the purple bicycle, is my younger sister.
B. The girl riding the purple bicycle, is my younger sister.
C. The girl riding the purple bicycle is my younger sister.
D. As it is