THREE NEW RULES FOR COMMAS 1. In a series: When more than one adjective describes a noun, use a comma to separate and emphasize each adjective

EXAMPLES A. SATURDAY WAS A BEAUTIFUL, STARRY NIGHT B. MY UNCLE WORE AN OLD, GRAY, CRUMPLED HAT

IN THESE INSTANCES, THE COMMA TAKES THE PLACE OF “AND” IN THESE INSTANCES, THE COMMA TAKES THE PLACE OF “AND”. TO TEST IF THE COMMA IS NEEDED, TRY INSERTING “AND” BETWEEN THE ADJECTIVES IN QUESTION

DECIDE IF THE FOLLOWING ADJECTIVE SERIES NEED COMMAS. A. SHE WALKED DOWN THE LONG DARK PASSAGEWAY. B. MARY GAZED AT THE STATELY OAK TREE. C. JASON RAN TO RETURN THE BORROWED RECORD PLAYER. D. MR. SPAIN PLAYED A HAUNTING MELODIC SONG.

2. THE COMMA IS ALSO USED TO SEPARATE THINGS IN A LIST EXAMPLE: JODI JUGGLED AN APPLE, A PEAR, A FIG, AND A BANANA. ( NOTICE THE LAST COMMA- THIS IS THE OXFORD COMMA AND HELPS TO MAKE YOUR SENTENCE CLEAR. I LOVE MY PARENTS, LADY GAGA AND HUMPTY DUMPTY. I LOVE MY PARENTS, LADY GAGA, AND HUMPTY DUMPTY.

THE LIST CAN ALSO BE PHRASES EXAMPLE: SHE LOWERED THE SHADE, CLOSED THE CURTAIN, AND WENT TO BED. I OFTEN GO TO THE BEACH TO TAKE A DIP, PLAY FRISBEE, AND GET A TAN.

3. INTERRUPTIONS THE WORDS: THEREFORE, HOWEVER, NEVERTHELESS, INASMUCH AS ARE SET OFF BY COMMAS (COMMA HUG) WHEN THEY INTERRUPT A COMPLETE THOUGHT. BE CAREFUL!!! IF BOTH HALVES OF THE SENTENCE ARE INDEPENDENT CLAUSES, THE FIRST PUNCTUATION OF THE HUG MUST BE A SEMI-COLON. EXAMPLES: UNFORTUNATELY FOR MARY, HOWEVER, SHE WILL NEVER WIN. CAN WE, THEREFORE, CALL ALL TEENAGERS WILD? I LIKE ICECREAM; NEVERTHELESS, I NEVER EAT IT BEFORE NOON.