Commas
1. Rule name- Items in a series-----*Series
Use commas to set off items in a series.
- The comma before the and is optional. Always use a comma after the and if there is a subject and a verb, or with a phrase.
He bought eggs, milk, bread and a paper.
The gas entered the house through the open window, through the crack under the door, and down the open chimney.
Katie walked to the park, slid down the slide, and she played on the swings.
2. Rule name- appositive
Use commas to set off an appositive. An appositive is a word or phrase that repeats, renames, or restates the noun directly before it.
George Washington, our first president, is a hero for all of us.
I went to the store and saw Mr. Lantz, the school principal, buying chocolate.
David, a senior, plays basketball.
Ms. Little, our student teacher, is teaching us about commas.
3. Rule name-dates with 3 or more items-----*Dates
Use commas in dates where there are three or more items together.
Remember with two items commas are not needed.
Our first date was June 16, 2001
I was born July 22, 1983.
The students will graduate May 29, 2006.
4. Rules: Items in an address
Use a comma to separate:
A. Three items in an address,
-He lived at 21 Main St., Denver, Colorado.
-We will be moving to 862 James St., Fremont, Michigan.
-She rented an apartment at 222 E. Dayton St., Grand Rapids, Michigan.
B. City From State
-My favorite vacation spot is Traverse City, Michigan.
-My mother always wanted to purchase a house in Petoskey, Michigan.
-The senior class will take a trip to New York, New York.
C. Following a state
-He lives in Denver Colorado, but is moving to Newaygo, Michigan, next month.
-My sister would like to move to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the near future.
-My father works for a company in Muskegon, Michigan, manufacturing boats.
5. Rule- Introductory word
Use a comma to set off an introductory word.
The sentence will usually begin with yes, no, well, however, oh, or yet.
Oh, can you come over here?
Well, I might think about it.
Yes, we will be there before lunch.
No, I will not go to the dance.
6. Rule- Introductory clause. A clause is a group of words containing a subject and verb which forms part of a sentence.
Use a comma to set off an introductory clause.
The sentence will usually begin with the words when, since, because, as, although, or if.
Because he was going to be late, he took a key with him.
Since it stopped raining, she no longer needed an umbrella.
If they want to win, athletes must exercise everyday.
Although I prefer to write poetry, writing short stories can be fun.
If the clause comes at the end of the sentence, it is not introductory; so no comma.
He took a key with him because he was going to be late.
She no longer needed the umbrella since it stopped raining.
7. Rule- Main Clause
Use a comma to separate the main clauses connected by and or but.
A Main Clause is a clause that could stand alone as a simple sentence.
It was raining.
We continued to play in the rain.
It was raining, but we continued to play in the rain- is the subordinate clause or dependent clause. It depends on the main clause to give it meaning.
8. Rule- Interrupting words-----*Interrupter
The words actually interrupt the flow of the sentence.
Use a comma to set off interrupting words and phrases like however, of course, for example, and moreover.
He, however, would not ask her out.
What, for example, is the square root of nine?
The food, of course, was excellent.
The Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only day I am available to meet.
9. Rule- Direct Quotation
In a direct quotation use a comma to set off the attributions such as he said, or she stated.
The direct quotation is enclosed with quotation marks.
He said, "What a lot of rot that is."
"Tomorrow," she stated, "I will begin to think about that."
"I believe," the teacher said, "You did not finish your work."
Remember: The first word of a direct quotation is capitalized.
10. Rule- person directly addressed-----*Direct Address
When a person is directly addressed, the name is set off with a comma.
Larry, pay attention. (The teacher is addressing Larry directly, so use a comma.)
Larry never pays attention. (The teacher is talking about Larry, not to him. No comma is used in this situation.)
Put your hand down, Frank. (One comma sets off the direct address at the end of the sentence because she was talking directly to Frank.)
Sheila, will you go close the window? (once again the teacher is directly addressing Sheila.)
11. Rule- Adjective before a noun-----*Adjective
Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives (description words) before a noun. You know this rule is correct if the word order of the two could be reversed and the word "and" could be substituted for the comma.
The weary, emancipated man collapsed.
We saw a happy, lively poodle.
He is a strong, healthy boy.
*We saw a young golden retriever. Is an example that would not require a comma because the adjectives would not make since if switched around.
*Semi-Colon
1. Rule- Between main clauses
Use a semi-colon between main clauses if the clauses relate to one another. Main clauses can stand alone.
I like working outside; I also enjoy reading.
I mowed the grass for several hours yesterday; it was so high that I had to go over it twice.
Lee and Jessica went to see the new Spielberg movie; it opened today.
2. Rule- Two independent clauses that have a transition word between them.
The final exam is expected to be very difficult; therefore, you should spend a few extra hours studying.
Many Americans love baseball; in fact, it's sometimes called the Great American Pastime.
He likes to watch fact based television; for example, he likes The Weather Channel and The History Channel.
3. Rule- Super Comma
Use a semi-colon to separate items in a series if one or more of the series of items already contains a comma.
My classes this semester are English, my favorite class; circuits, my most difficult class; and physics, my most interesting class.
My roommates are from Philadelphia Pennslyvania; Los Angeles, California; and Cincinnati, Ohio.
My brothers were born on November 10, 1946; December 7, 1947; and October 31, 1950.
*Colons
Most common use of a colon...
1. Rule-Introduce items in a series
Use a colon to introduce items in a series. A main clause is necessary for you to use a colon.
These are three things necessary for our picnic: food, blanket, and fly swatter.
The baseball coach claimed that the team's success stemmed from four things: consistent hitting, solid pitching, good fielding, and excellent teamwork.
The Greasy Spoon restaurant had several house specialties: a hot turkey sandwich, a roast pork dinner, a walleye platter, and a barbecued chicken wing basket.
*There are other uses for using a colon; however, this is the only colon rule you will be responsible for knowing.
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