The document provides rules of thumb for using commas in sentences. It lists different scenarios where commas should and should not be used, such as using commas to separate items in a list, clauses, or phrases. It also provides examples of applying the comma rules and asks readers to practice identifying proper comma usage.

1. RULES OF THUMB FOR COMMA USAGE from Real Good Grammar, Too Created by April Turner NOTE: Comp I students are responsible for only the rules covered on the first two slides.

2. USE A COMMA: with a coordinating conjunction to connect two independent clauses. Betty is the homecoming queen, and Bill is the king. to separate introductory phrases, words, or clauses from the main part of the sentence. After the Vietnam War ended, a number of veterans were hospitalized.

3. USE A COMMA: to separate nonrestrictive clauses, phrases, and appositives from the rest of the sentence. The scout leader, overweight and out of shape, trudged up the hill. DO NOT set off restrictive information with commas . Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn is on the censored list.

4. USE A COMMA: to separate direct quotations from the phrase identifying the speaker. John said, "The fishing is great in Bear Lake.“ to separate the names of smaller geographic units from the names of larger units. Denver, Colorado, is called the Mile High City.

5. USE A COMMA: to separate items in a date. Omit the comma when just the month and year or month and day are given. Kennedy was assassinated November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. to separate names of titles or degrees that follow the name. Harold Johnson, Ph.D., will speak in the Commons on Tuesday.

6. USE A COMMA: to separate short, tightly, interrelated clauses in a series. John phoned, Mary stopped by, and Phil left a message. to mark allowable omissions of repeated words, especially verbs. Your analysis is superb; your execution, appalling.

7. USE A COMMA: to provide clarity and prevent misreading, even if none of the other rules apply. We left him, assured that he would fail. (We were sure that he would fail.) We left him assured that he would fail. (He was sure that he would fail.) to separate three or more items or phrases in a series. Golfing, swimming, and bowling are my favorite activities.

8. USE A COMMA: to separate a series of two or more adjectives not connected by a conjunction if the order of the adjectives can be reversed and still retain the same meaning. Your friend is a clever, sensitive person. to separate interrupters or parenthetical and transitional words from the rest of the sentence. Most of them, however, do try to act friendly and courteous.

9. USE A COMMA: to separate contradictory phrases from the rest of the sentence. It was Betty, not Joan, who was elected queen of the prom. to separate names used in direct address or other isolates such as yes , no , and thank you from the rest of the sentence. Tell me, John, did you vote for Joan? No, I am not voting for myself.

10. USE A COMMA: to separate tag questions from the rest of the sentence. You did that on purpose, didn't you? to separate words and abbreviations that introduce an example or an illustration, including namely , that is , to wit , i.e. , e.g. , for example , and for instance . Many of my friends, for example, Fred, Dean, and Pete, like to golf.

11. Questions and Answers Does anyone have a question about the rules of comma usage? PLEASE ASK!!!

12. LET’S PRACTICE!!! I have told one million lies in my life and that is the Gospel truth. … life , and that… As a child I was the kind of kid my mother told me not to play with. As a child , I was… Denver which is the capital of Colorado has an altitude of one mile. Denver , which is the capital of Colorado , has… The city which is the capital of Colorado has an altitude of one mile. No commas (restrictive)

13. LET’S PRACTICE A LITTLE MORE!!! Linda asked “Do you think she’ll ever speak to him again?” Linda asked , “Do you… Paxton Florida is the home of the mighty Bobcats. Paxton , Florida , is the… The No Child Left Behind Act was signed in on January 2 2002. … January 2, 2002. July 1990 is the date for the Progress “90” celebration. No comma (2 items in the date)

14. LET’S KEEP GOING!!! The commencement speaker was Juliet Brown Ph.D. … Juliet Brown , Ph.D. He shot pool he drank Anchor Steam beer and he rarely went home. He shot pool , he drank Anchor Steam beer , and he rarely went home. To the winners we give prizes; to the losers consolation; and to the spectators a good show. … to the loser , consolation; and to the spectators , a good show.

15. ALMOST THERE!!! The morning after a policeman came to the door. The morning after , a policeman… Jeff collected a change of clothing shoes and golf gear before he set off for the day. … a change of clothing , shoes , and golf gear… A large green bug settled on the torn autumn leaf. A large , green bug…

16. WE’RE IN THE HOME STRETCH!!! The order however was not filled that day. The order , however , was not… Pneumonia begins with a p not an n . … with a p , not an n . Thank you Susan. Thank you , Susan.

17. LAST ONES!!! You’re going aren’t you? You’re going , aren’t you? Many of my friends for example Rachel, Jennifer, and Allen, enjoy going to the movies. Many of my friends , for example , Rachel ,…