The document outlines 14 rules for using commas effectively in writing, including guidelines for adjectives, introductory phrases, conjunctions, clauses, quotations, addresses, and more. Each rule is illustrated with examples to clarify proper comma usage. The intention is to help writers improve clarity and readability in their work.

1. THOSE PESKY
COMMAS!
11 COMMA RULESTO
MAKEYOU A BETTER
WRITER

2. RULE #1
IN A SERIES
- Use commas when two or more adjectives precede a noun;
use a comma after each adjective, except the last one.
- Use a comma after every item in a series of three or more.
- Do NOT use commas when an adverb describes an
adjective!
- Use commas to separate a series of clauses.
-Use commas to separate a series of phrases.

3. RULE #1
In a series of 3 or more…
I like nachos burritos and tacos.
, ,
3 items = 2 commas
I brought my sleeping bag sleeping pad
water bottle and a tent on the trip.
, ,
,
4 items = 3 commas

4. RULE #1
When 2 or more adjectives precede a
noun…
Sara found a slimy wet squishy slug in her
sleeping bag.
, ,
3 adjectives before the noun = 2 commas

5. RULE #1
NO commas between an adverb and an
adjective…
The extraordinarily observant student picked up a wad
of paper off the floor.
On very hot days I drink a lot of water.
No Commas Needed!!

6. RULE #1
Between a series of clauses…
Mary promised that she would be a good girl that she
would not bite her brother and that she would not
climb onto the television.
,
,

7. RULE #1
Between a series of phrases…
The teacher looked through his briefcase through his
desk and around the office for the lost grade book.
,
,

8. RULE #2
INTRODUCTORYWORDS/PHRASES
- Use commas to separate
introductory words or phrases from
the rest of the sentence.

9. RULE #2
INTRODUCTORY WORDS/PHRASES
Key words that indicate an introductory phrase –
when, while, after, before, if, so, since.
If these words begin a sentence, use a comma after
the phrase, but ignore them in the middle of a
sentence.

10. RULE #2
INTRODUCTORYWORDS/PHRASES
Since hearing the prognosis I have been a nervous
wreck.
,
,
After the movie we went for ice cream.
Unfortunately the game cannot be rescheduled.
,

11. RULE #2
INTRODUCTORYWORDS/PHRASES
Until the spring course lists will not be published.
,
,
Inside the gym was lighted brightly and clean.
Read the following sentences. Then read them again with
the comma added. Which one makes more sense?

12. RULE #3
CONJUNCTIONS
-Use a comma before the conjunction that
Use a comma before the conjunction that
joins two independent sentences.
joins two independent sentences.
(Sentence = Subject + Verb)
(Sentence = Subject + Verb)
Conjunctions = FANBOYS
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

13. RULE #3
CONJUNCTIONS
Rebecca wants to learn to play the guitar but her guitar
only has two strings.
,
,
James dreams of becoming a rock star so he
rehearses every day.

14. RULE #4
IN PHRASES
- Use a comma to separate a phrase (an
explanatory group of words without a
subject and/or verb) from the rest of the
sentence.

15. RULE #4
IN PHRASES
Running through the woods I tripped on a log and
scraped my knee.
,
,
The window cracked from the cold needed to be
replaced.
,

16. RULE #5
IN CLAUSES
- Use a comma to separate a clause (a
group of words with its own subject and
verb) from the rest of the sentence.

17. RULE #5
IN CLAUSES
Jessica since she couldn’t stop talking received a
detention in three classes.
,
,
My neighbor who lives in a tent values the
preservation of our environment.
,
,

18. RULE #6
QUOTATION MARKS
- Use commas to set off explanatory
words, also called tags (such as Rachel
said, replied Maggie, announced Tim), of
a direct quotation.

19. RULE #6
QUOTATION MARKS
“So far” began Elissa “English has been
very enlightening.”
, ,
Gasping for breath, Tristan announced “The
pigeons pecked at my ankles and chased me
across the street.”
,

20. RULE #7
TOO MEANS ALSO
-Use commas to separate too from the rest of
the sentence when it can be replaced by the
word also.

21. RULE #7
TOO MEANS ALSO
I want to go to Culver’s for dinner too.
,
,
Running 26.2 miles would make my legs ache
too.

22. RULE #8
IN DATES
-Use commas between the day of the month
and the year.
-In a sentence, the comma follows the year.

23. RULE #8
IN DATES
May 8 1977
,
October 31 1989 was the last Halloween that
I went trick-or-treating.
, ,

24. RULE #9
IN ADDRESSES
-Use commas between the name of the city or
town and the name of its state or country and
the rest of the sentence.
-In writing the address in a sentence, use a
comma after each item (except between state
and zip code).

25. RULE #9
IN ADDRESSES
Sydney Australia, sounds like a wonderful place to
visit.
,
,
Mail the package to 1234 Candy Cane Ln
Mason MN 55305.
,

26. RULE #10
LETTER
- Use commas after the greeting and
closing of a letter.

27. RULE #10
LETTER
Dear Mom
I love your home cooking!
With love
Timmy
,
,

28. RULE #11
DIRECT ADDRESS
-Use commas to set off the nouns of a
direct address (or, the name of someone
directly spoken to).

29. RULE #11
IN DIRECT ADDRESS
Explain to me Johnny why you felt the need to hit
your brother with the whiffle ball bat.
, ,
Good afternoon Anna!
,
,

30. RULE #12
INTERJECTIONS
- Use commas before and/or after words
- Use commas before and/or after words
that are interjected into sentences.
that are interjected into sentences.
Interjection words include
Interjection words include yes,
yes,
no, well, oh.
no, well, oh.

31. RULE #12
INTERJECTIONS
Yes
Yes I would love to go see
I would love to go see High School
High School
Musical on Ice
Musical on Ice!
!
,
,
Well I wasn’t sure whether the note
was from him or not, so I threw it away!

32. RULE #13
INTERRUPTERS (PARENTHETICAL
EXPRESSIONS)
- Use commas to set off words
- Use commas to set off words
or groups of words that
or groups of words that
interrupt the flow of thought in
interrupt the flow of thought in
a sentence.
a sentence.

33. RULE #13
INTERRUPTERS (PARENTHETICAL
EXPRESSIONS)
I
I on the other hand
on the other hand love to eat chocolate
love to eat chocolate
cookies.
cookies.
,
,
Change I believe is life’s only constant.
,
,
Learning about commas for example
helps us become better writers.
, ,

34. RULE #14
APPOSITIVE
- Use commas to set off
- Use commas to set off
appositives. An appositive is a
appositives. An appositive is a
noun or phrase that comes
noun or phrase that comes
immediately after another noun
immediately after another noun
that gives more information
that gives more information
about that noun.
about that noun.

35. RULE #14
APPOSITIVE
Sally
Sally my neighbor
my neighbor sells seashells by the
sells seashells by the
seashore.
seashore.
,
,
Emily Fox a standout guard for the
University of Minnesota Golden Gophers
is a world champion cup stacker.
,
,