1. COMMA RULES Definition Definition: A type of punctuation used to separate words or groups of words so that the meaning of the sentence is clear. Don ’ t get a comma confused with an apostrophe! Apostrophes are at the top; commas are at the bottom! Apostrophe

2. RULE 1 Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series. 1- My brother has curly hair, green eyes, and a silly laugh. 2- My $10 million estate is to be split among my husband, daughter, son, and nephew. 3- Sherry, Steven, and Dez decided to meet for pizza after classes. 4- Ally enjoys competing in races, travelling around the world, and eating unique cuisine.

3. RULE #2 Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of the seven coordinating conjunctions. (BOYFANS or FANBOYS) But  I really don’t want to do my homework, but I want to pass my classes. Or  I could come pick you up, or I could meet you there. Yet  I hate pickles, yet I love them when they are fried. For  I love my younger brother, for he can always make me laugh. And  He went to see The Fault in Our Stars, and he cried the entire time. Nor  I don’t like waking up early, nor do I like going to bed early. So  I didn’t feel the greatest, so I ended up staying at home.

4. RULE #3 After waiting in line for hours, they told us that the ride was closed because it had broken down. Before Karima came home, she had already bought the necessary tools. As soon as Amina and Amine had dinner, they left the restaurant. But if the introductory phrase is in the end of a sentence, a comma is not needed. They told us that the ride was closed because it had broken down after waiting in the line for hours. Karema came home after she had bought the necessary tools. Use commas after introductory phrases, clauses, or words that come before the main clause.

5. RULE #4 Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off phrases that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. (Appositives) My favorite teacher in the entire world, Ms Norton, is hilarious. My dog, Rover, cannot come over today. The novelist, John Dos Passos, wrote several trilogies. Bob, who could not be here today, opposes the legislation. Her son, James, is bald. John, the blacksmith, chews gum. (non-restrictive)

6. RULE #5 The loud, annoying guy should go home. The huge, Mexican table is expensive. The big, hairy monster glared down at me. The dangerous, preoccupied driver weaved through the city streets viewing his phone. Use commas to separate two or more adjectives ( of equal rank) that describe the same noun. But pay attention: when the adjectives are of unequal rank, we don’t use a comma. Several happy people danced in the streets upon hearing the news. We examined the many unique pieces of artwork hanging on the walls.

7. RULE #6 When a month, day, and year are listed, place a comma between the day and year: A- July 22, 2018. If the month, day, and year come in the middle of a sentence, place another comma after the year: B- I will celebrate July 22, 2018, as my birthday. In an address, place a comma after the street and between the city and state: C- 1714 North Harvey Street, Griffith, IN 46300. Do not place a comma between the state and the ZIP code. If the address comes in the middle of a sentence, place another comma after the address: E- My family has lived at 1714 North Harvey Street, Griffith, Indiana, for four years. Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in addresses, and titles in names.

8. RULE #7 Ms. Norton asked, “Who is ready for the weekend?” “We are,” the class responds. “You have to wait until after dinner,” the mother said. The car dealer insisted, "This is the best deal out there.” The author said, “I need to sell more books to make my quota!” Use commas to separate a direct quote from the rest of the sentence.

9. RULE #8 I can do this, can’t I? She will help you, won’t she? You haven't seen this film, have you? Your sister lives in Spain, doesn't she? He can't drive, can he? She's a doctor, isn't she? Yesterday was so much fun, wasn't it? Use a comma to separate a statement from a question. ( Tag question)

10. RULE #9 Well, I would love to go to the movies with you. No, but she has to bring it back by tomorrow. Before the movie, let’s get some popcorn. Outside of the classroom, some students were screaming. Before tomorrow, I will leave to Spain. Once the orator speaks, everyone listens to him. Use a comma when beginning sentences with introductory words or phrases

11. RULE #10 Mrs. Brown, who liked the book, recommended it to me. The tiger, which was driven mad by hunger, killed the sheep. My niece, who was running around the room, had too much sugar earlier. I scolded my niece, who was misbehaving, this morning. Like Water for Chocolate, which was an excellent book, was made into a movie. Barcelona, which I visited last year, has a lot of interesting architecture. Professor Shevchenko, who is my teacher, has been at this college for 25 years. Use a comma to set off a nonrestrictive clause, a group of words which describes a noun and is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.