1. Punctuation
Comma Rules

2. Use commas to: Separate parts of an address.
They lived at Hill Street, Quincy, Illinois
Separate parts of a date.
It happened on Monday, October 21.
Set off a noun in a direct address.
Class, read Chapter 2 for tomorrow.

3. Use commas to:
Set off appositives (pairs of nouns that mean the same thing).
Our neighbor, Charles Wilson, is a doctor.
Separate three or more items in a series.
I ordered a hamburger, fries, and a coke.

4. Use commas to:
Separate a quotation from the rest of the sentence. “I’ll help,” volunteered Mike.
Separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun. I settled into my cozy, soft, new armchair.
Separate two or more independent clauses joined by and, or, but, nor, for or yet. We went to school early, and we talked to our friends.

5. Use commas to:
Set off nonessential clauses and nonessential participial phrases. My neighbor, who loves animals, works for the Animal Rescue League.
After an introductory word like yes, no, well, or oh. Yes, I’d like to see that movie.

6. Use commas to:
After an introductory participial phrase. Frightened by the noise, the child started to cry.
After a series of introductory prepositional phrases. Near the tree by the edge of the water, we sat and talked.

7. Use commas to:
After a long introductory prepositional phrase. Up the dark, winding, steep circular staircase, the women walked carefully.
After an introductory adverb clause. After the organist finished playing, the audience clapped.
After the salutation of a friendly letter. Dear Susan,

8. Use commas to: After the closing of a letter. Sincerely yours,
After a name followed by Jr., Sr., or M.D. My father is John Edwards, Jr., and he is a lawyer.
Set off parenthetical expressions. She won, not surprisingly, first place in each event.

9. Use commas to:
Set off parts of a reference that direct the reader to the exact source. The assignment was to read Book 10, pages 5-6.
Set off a tag question. You’ll deposit this money, won’t you?
Avoid unnecessary commas.