Commas in Sentence Parts Commas with Introductory Elements Commas with Interrupters Commas with Nonessential Clauses and Phrases Commas with Nonessential Clauses and Phrases Commas with Compound Sentences Commas with Series or Lists Using Commas for Clarity Other Comma Rules

Comma with Introductory Elements Use a comma after mild interjections or introductory words such as oh, yes, no, and well. Use a comma after mild interjections or introductory words such as oh, yes, no, and well. Use a comma after an introductory prepositional phrase that contains additional prepositional phrases. Use a comma after an introductory prepositional phrase that contains additional prepositional phrases. Use a comma after an introductory adverb or adverbial clause. Use a comma after an introductory adverb or adverbial clause. Use a comma after an infinitive or participial phrase that serves as an introductory element. Use a comma after an infinitive or participial phrase that serves as an introductory element.

Examples: Introductory words Yes, I admit that I love to watch the Daytona 500. Yes, I admit that I love to watch the Daytona 500.

Example: Introductory Prepositional Phrase In the middle of the race, the lead car blew out a tire. In the middle of the race, the lead car blew out a tire. Prepositions: about, above, across, After, against, along, among, around, As, at, before, behind, below, beneath, Beside, between, beyond, but, by, down, During, except, for, from, in, inside, into, Like, near, of, off, on, out, outside, over, Past, since, through, throughout, to, Toward, under, underneath, until, unto, Up, upon, with, within, without, according to, in addition to, prior to, by means of, on account of, in place of, in spite of, aside from

Example: Introductory Adverb or Adverbial phrase Unfortunately, that car is out of the race. Unfortunately, that car is out of the race. After the pace car exits the track, drivers may reach speeds of over 200 mph. After the pace car exits the track, drivers may reach speeds of over 200 mph.

Example: Infinitive or Participial phrase To cover their expense, racing teams solicit sponsors. (Infinitive phrase) To cover their expense, racing teams solicit sponsors. (Infinitive phrase) Smiling politely, the driver accepted a $200,000 check. (Participial phrase) Smiling politely, the driver accepted a $200,000 check. (Participial phrase)

Commas with Interrupters Use commas to set off nouns of direct address. Use commas to set off nouns of direct address. Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions, such as however, therefore, for example, I suppose, moreover, and by the way. Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions, such as however, therefore, for example, I suppose, moreover, and by the way.

Example: Set off nouns of direct address Marisa, have you ever worked as part of a pit crew? Marisa, have you ever worked as part of a pit crew?

Examples: Set off parenthetical expressions By the way, your favorite driver will participate in the next heat. By the way, your favorite driver will participate in the next heat. Hot Tip Hot Tip **Use a comma to separate a question tagged on to the end of a sentence. **Use a comma to separate a question tagged on to the end of a sentence. –That’s a fairly common way of speaking, isn’t it?

Comma with Nonessential Clauses and Phrases Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and nonessential participial phrases. Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and nonessential participial phrases. Use commas to set off nonessential appositives and appositive phrases. Use commas to set off nonessential appositives and appositive phrases.

Examples: Nonessential Clauses and Phrases The pit crew manager, who also serves as the chief engineer, advised the driver of the car’s condition. (Nonessential clause) The pit crew manager, who also serves as the chief engineer, advised the driver of the car’s condition. (Nonessential clause) The team, working hard for its driver’s success, has won several races this year. (Nonessential participial phrase) The team, working hard for its driver’s success, has won several races this year. (Nonessential participial phrase)

Example: Nonessential appositives and appositive phrases Eddie Cheever’s racing team, Team Cheever, has won the Indy 500. Eddie Cheever’s racing team, Team Cheever, has won the Indy 500. Professional auto racing, often a very dangerous sport, requires extensive training and well-maintained equipment. Professional auto racing, often a very dangerous sport, requires extensive training and well-maintained equipment. espn.go.com Eddie Cheever

Commas with Compound Sentences Use a comma before the conjunction that joins the two independent clauses of a compound sentence. Use a comma before the conjunction that joins the two independent clauses of a compound sentence. Examples of common conjunctions—but, for, nor, so, and, or Examples of common conjunctions—but, for, nor, so, and, or

Example: Compound Sentence Ted had the best opening lap, but he lost the race. Ted had the best opening lap, but he lost the race. Watch out! Watch out! –Ted had the best opening lap but lost the race. This is NOT A COMPOUND SENTENCE. This is NOT A COMPOUND SENTENCE.

Commas with Series or Lists In a series of three or more items, use a comma after each item except the last one. In a series of three or more items, use a comma after each item except the last one. Use a comma between two or more adjectives of equal rank that modify the same noun. Use a comma between two or more adjectives of equal rank that modify the same noun.

Example: Series or Lists Racetracks can have dirt, asphalt, or concrete surfaces. Racetracks can have dirt, asphalt, or concrete surfaces.

Example: Equal Adjectives A skilled, athletic pit crew should be able to get a driver back on the racetrack in less than 20 seconds. A skilled, athletic pit crew should be able to get a driver back on the racetrack in less than 20 seconds. Watch out! Watch out! –The driver in the olive green car is winning. These are NOT EQUAL ADJECTIVES! These are NOT EQUAL ADJECTIVES!

Commas for Clarity Use a comma to separate words that might be misread. Use a comma to separate words that might be misread. –Unclear **The car campers felt fortunate for the good weather had lasted all week. –Clear **The car campers felt fortunate, for the good weather had lasted all week.

Commas for Clarity Use a comma to replace an omitted word or words. Use a comma to replace an omitted word or words. –Some car or RV travelers prefer to drive all day; others prefer to drive all night. –Some car or RV travelers prefer to drive all day; others, all night images/2005/3000_1a.jpg

Commas for Clarity When making a contrast, use a comma with antithetical phrases that use words such as not and unlike. When making a contrast, use a comma with antithetical phrases that use words such as not and unlike. –Driving to another state, unlike flying, allows you to pack all the clothing you want for a trip.

Other Comma Rules To set off a personal title or a business abbreviation To set off a personal title or a business abbreviation In the salutation of a personal letter and the closing of any letter In the salutation of a personal letter and the closing of any letter Between the day of the month and the year Between the day of the month and the year To separate the street, city, and state in addresses and names of places To separate the street, city, and state in addresses and names of places In numbers of more than three digits to denote thousands In numbers of more than three digits to denote thousands To set off a direct quotation from the rest of the sentences To set off a direct quotation from the rest of the sentences

Example: Student model Dear Kyle, Dear Kyle, This is just a quick note to remind you, my favorite cousin, that I will finally turn 16 on May 3, 2001, and I will officially become a legal driver! To celebrate, my family is throwing a party on Saturday, June 10, at Westside Park, 181 W. Elm St., Milwaukee. I’d love for you to join us! Jenna will be driving from Normal, Illinois, on Friday and can pick you up when she passes through Chicago. I’ll call you soon to see whether you can come to the party and if you need a ride. Sincerely, Marta