Comma Rule 1 Use commas to separate items in a series. What is a series? A “series” is a list of 3 or more items, the last two of which are joined by (the coordinating conjunctions) and, or, or nor. _______, _______, and _______

Series of single words + cups, jars, and plates + saw, screamed, and cried + running, jumping, diving, or swimming Series of groups of words (phrase/clause) cups of sugar, jars of honey, and plates of spaghetti saw the mugging, screamed loudly, and cried about it running to the store, jumping over the fence, diving into the water, or swimming across the pool whom you see, where you go, or what you do

He appealed to the administrators the deans and the advisors.

He appealed to the administrators, the deans, and the advisors. Always place a comma before the coordinating conjunction (and, but, or) so that it is clear that there are three distinct groups administratordeansadvisors not two groups of administrators deansadvisors

Richard caught the ball ran for five yards and scored a touchdown.

Richard caught the ball, ran for five yards, and scored a touchdown.

Struthers Smith and Rapsky presented an interesting report.

Struthers, Smith, and Rapsky presented an interesting report.

The novel is available in print on audio CD and on kindle.

The novel is available in print, on audio CD, and on kindle.

The lawyer argued that the weather was bad that the car had bad brakes and that the other driver was speeding

The lawyer argued that the weather was bad, that the car had bad brakes, and that the other driver was speeding.

I want to buy a shirt and a pair of shoes.

Correct as written…only two items connected by a coordinating conjunction.

I want to buy a shirt and a pair of shoes and a purse to match.

Correct as written because the items are all connected by coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or) so they don’t need a comma too.