Let’s Fix Your Bad Comma So You Can Feel Grammatically Zen Again Comma, comma, comma, comma comma Cameleon…you make the sentence slow….and come between red, green and yellowwwwwwwwaoooo…

If you ain’t got no comma- sense, you might be wondering: So what are the basic rules for when you should and shouldn’t use commas?

Rule #1: Use commas when writing lists or a series of words. Example: We searched under the beds, inside drawers, and in closets, but we could not find the boogie man anywhere.

Rule #2: Use commas with introductory words or phrases. Example: Q: How do you tell what’s introductory and what’s not? Find the main subject and verb of the sentence. Whatever comes before the subject and verb is usually an introduction. (Taken from Painless Grammar by Barron’s.) Example: Because my mother forgot to pack me a dessert, I ate your Twinkie.

Rule #3: Use commas with “interrupters” and “interjections” in a sentence. Example: Interrupter: I really want to buy a Twinkie; the cost of Twinkies at the school store, however, has gone up. Interjection: Hey, that’s my Twinkie! No, I don’t want you to lick it and give it back to me.

Rule #4: Use commas with nouns of direct address. Example: a.) Children, I believe you are the hope of tomorrow. b.) Ralphie, don’t you dare steal that Twinkie!

Rule #5: Use commas with appositives. Q: What’s an appositive? An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it. Example: The Super Bowl, the biggest game of the year, is Sunday.

Rule #6: Use commas with quotations. Example: a.) “There’s a gigantic worm in my apple,” screamed Luna. b.) “There’s no need to scream,” Louie said, “because worms are a good source of protein.”

Rule #7: Use commas before a coordinating conjunction that introduces an independent clause. Usually this means that you are separating two or more sentences. Example: a.) I grabbed his sandwich, and I ate it before he could stop me. b.) I grabbed his sandwich, and I ate it before he could stop me, but I felt remorseful later that day.

Rules #8 & 9: Use commas with dates and places (including addresses). Examples: a.) January 29th, 1976, is the best day ever. b.) I was born in Detroit, Michigan, on 8 Mile. c.) 100 Coddington Street, Quincy, MA 02169

Rules #10 & 11: Use commas in letter introductions and in numbers over 999. Examples: a.) Dear Diary, b.) I would like to have $50, 201 in the bank.

Rule #12: Use commas with nonrestrictive clauses. Examples: Johnny Hotshots, who has been playing basketball since he was five, scored the most points.

Rule #13: Use commas after conjunctive adverbs. Q: What are some words that can function as conjunctive adverbs? however, finally, furthermore, indeed, meanwhile, nevertheless, therefore, unfortunately… Examples: I am so hungry; however, I won’t be able to eat until 9th period.

Rule #14: Use commas to separate two adjectives of equal weight. Example: a.) I sat down on the cold, wet ground and cried my eyes out when Johnny Hotshots broke up with me. (equal weight) b.) The losing basketball team was totally depressed. (unequal weight-no comma)

Rule(s) #15: Weird, Random Comma Guidelines Use commas before and/or after some Latin abbreviations. Example: I love sports, e.g., baseball, basketball, and football. (E.g., means “for example.”) Use a comma to show that two parts of a sentence are being contrasted. I ordered pizza, not lasagna. Use commas with titles when they come after (BUT NOT BEFORE)the person’s name. Arith Metic, Ph.D., is my math teacher. Use to indicate omitted words. I ordered chicken; Amanda, fish.