The Twelve Comma Rules. Courtesy of:

Transcription

1 The Twelve Comma Rules Courtesy of:

2 Comma Rules #1- Items in a Series A series contains at least three items, and those can be words or groups of words. 1. I bought pizza, pop, and candy. (nouns) 2. The dog was big, mean, and furry. (adjectives) 3. She hopped, jumped, and skipped. (verbs) 4. Georgia slipped on the ice, screamed out loud, and broke her toe. (verb phrases) The comma before the and is optional, but I want you to use it for clarity.

3 Comma Rules #2- Introductory Elements Introductory elements are words or groups of words that come at the beginning of a sentence. 1. Actually, I really like flamingos. 2. Screaming wildly, the woman crashed through the window. 3. Hey, that s not your papaya. 4. To make the information clearer, I talked slowly.

4 Comma Rules #3- Interrupters Interrupters are words or groups of words that interrupt the main thought or the sentence. Pretend that the interrupter sticks out its foot and trips the main idea. 1. You can, for example, buy CDs on the Internet. 2. Rachel, my little sister, is silly. (This is also called an appositive.) 3. You can eat dessert now, I suppose. Notice that commas are needed on either side of the interrupter UNLESS it s at the end of the sentence.

5 Comma Rules #4- Direct Address Direct address means you are directly addressing (or speaking to) someone. 1. I told you, Bob, to stop eating mud pies. 2. Sean, bring the llama here. 3. Do you like socks, Ebonie? 4. I ve asked you not to eat in class before, Anthony, and I mean it. Notice that commas are needed on either side of the name if it s in the middle of the sentence.

6 Comma Rules #5- Large Numbers Large numbers (four or more digits) need commas. Count back from the right every three digits. 123,456,789 For really large numbers, it s easier to use the words (7,500,000,000 becomes 7.5 billion.)

7 Comma Rule #6- Dates Separate parts of a date UNLESS only the month and year are written. 1. I will see you on Friday, December 31, September 23, 1971, is the day I was born. 3. The next Olympics are in July (no comma) Notice that commas are needed on either side of the date UNLESS it s at the end of the sentence.

8 Comma Rule #7- Addresses When writing addresses, use commas between the parts EXCEPT between the state and the ZIP code. We live at 923 Cuckoo Lane, #313, Virginia, MN International Falls, Minnesota, is often the cold spot of the nation. Think about how you would write out an envelope: street address apartment/suite # city, state ZIP See the parts? Keep them separated with commas. Notice commas are needed on either side of the address UNLESS it s at the end of the sentence.

9 Comma Rule #8-Titles Titles can be degrees, occupations, Jr./Sr., etc. Louie Snickerdoodle, M.D., was a wacky doctor. Ken Griffey, Jr., is a great athlete. I really admire Grover Monster, Ph.D. Sincerely, Mark Parr, principal Notice that commas are need on either side of the title unless it s at the end of a sentence.

10 Comma Rule #9- Compound Sentences A compound sentence is made up of two complete sentences joined by a conjunction. Remember, a complete sentence needs a SUBJECT (who or what) and a VERB (what the subject does). Mrs. Yesnes saw that movie, and she really liked it. (full sentence) (conj.) (full sentence) To remember which conjunctions use a comma, remember F A N B O Y S (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)

11 Comma Rule #10- Dialogue Set off the exact words of the speaker from the rest of the sentence. 1. Hello, said Mrs. G. 2. Howdy, said the class, how are you? (one sentence) Or 3. Howdy, said the class. How are you? (two sentences) Look at the two divided sentences above. Why is one how capitalized, and the other isn t? It s because of the punctuation. The comma goes inside of the quotation marks, not outside them or underneath them. Write carefully! Also, for every new speaker, start a new paragraph.

12 Comma Rule #11- to Separate Equal Adjectives Equal adjectives are adjectives that have the same intensity or importance- one is not more important than the other(s). This is different than items in a series because there is not, and, or or. To find out whether adjectives are equal, ask yourself if the word and makes sense between them. If so, substitute the and with a comma. 1. The big, hairy bear ate a popsicle. (Yes! You can say big and hairy bear! ) 2. The cold December morning was depressing. (No! You can t say cold and December. ) 3. Sweet, tasty milk chocolate is my favorite. (Notice that milk chocolate is like one word.)

13 Comma Rule #12- Greeting& Closing of a Letter This one is easy: Dear Mom, Sincerely yours, When writing a business letter, use a colon (:) after the greeting.