Working with Commas

With compound sentences…. Use a comma before a that joins independent clauses in a sentence. EX: I am hungry right now, so I want to have a snack. conjunction compound

With items in a series… Use a comma after every item in a except the one . EX: I went to the store and bought eggs, milk, bread, and cheese. series last

With two adjectives…. Use a comma between or more adjectives of rank that modify the same noun EX: The tall, ancient trees shaded the walkway. two equal

With introductory words and phrases…. Use a comma after an introductory word or phrase to it from the rest of the sentence. EX: Hey, what time is it? In the first place, I don’t have time to take you to the movies. separate

With interrupters…. Use a comma to set off words or phrases that or break the flow of in a sentence. EX: If that is, in fact, your final answer, then what is it? The best movie, I think, is Star Trek. interrupt, thought

With nouns of direct address…. Use a comma to set off the or title of someone you are talking to directly. EX: Sally, what time is it? What’s wrong with me, Doctor? name

With appositives…. appositive An is a word or phrase that identifies or a noun or pronoun that comes right before it. Do NOT use commas when the appositive is needed to make the clear—only if it’s extra info. EX: My dog, who is a mini Australian Shepherd, has lots of energy! That house, which is beautiful, is for sale. renames meaning

To avoid confusion…. Use a comma whenever the reader might otherwise be EX: Before autumn, leaves start turning colors in the cool, Canadian air. OR Before autumn leaves start turning colors in the cool, Canadian air. confused

With dates…. Use a comma between the and the If the sentence after the year, put a comma after the year. EX: School starts on August 24, 2010. On June 4, 2009, summer break begins. day year. continues

With addresses…. Use a comma between the or town and the or country. If the sentence after the state, put a comma after the state. EX: My son was born in Lewisville, Texas. The Winter Festival in San Antonio, Texas, starts tomorrow. city state continues

With letters…. Use a comma after the of a casual letter and after the of a casual or business letter. EX: Dear Mom, Sincerely, greeting closing