1. Because Commas Rule! English 2
Comma Rules
Because Commas Rule!
English 2

2. 1. Serial (commas, not killers)
Serial commas separate items in a series
We need milk, eggs, and bread.
I will be happy to read your poem, comment on it, and return it to you.

3. The Oxford Comma
a comma between the final items in a list, often preceding the word ‘and' or ‘or’
We need milk, eggs, and bread.
Controversial – two schools of thought. Some say it is unnecessary, others say it is often essential.

5. From www.onlineschools.com

6. Here’s why you should just use it….

7. 2. Introductory Phrases, Transitional Expressions, and Parentheticals
Use a comma after most introductory phrases of more than two words.
By four in the morning, everybody was ready to go home.
After the game on Saturday, we all went dancing.

8. 2. Introductory Phrases, Transitional Expressions, and Parentheticals
Use commas to set off transitional expressions.
Ferns, for example, need less sunlight than flowering plants.
Instructions, on the other hand, receive a lower salary than the assistant professors.

9. 2. Introductory Phrases, Transitional Expressions, and Parentheticals
Use commas to set off parenthetical elements
By the way, where is the judge’s umbrella?
Nobody, it seems, wants to eat the nut burgers.

10. 3. Appositives
An appositive is a phrase placed next to a noun to give more information about that noun
Yoko, our new classmate, is our best fielder.
This is her favorite food, ketchup sandwiches.

11. 3. Appositives
A one word appositive is not set off by commas if it is essential to the meaning of the sentence. However, if it is NOT essential, it needs commas.
Hip hop mogul Simmons launched Def Jam Recordings.
His wife, Kimora, succeeded with her company Baby Phat.

12. 4. Non-Restrictive and Restrictive Clauses
A relative clause is one that begins with who, which, or that and modifies a noun or a pronoun. There are two types of these:
restrictive and non-restrictive
A non-restrictive relative clause is not essential to the meaning of the sentence, and commas are needed to set it off.
Raj, who is a part time aviator, loves to tinker with machines of all kinds.

13. 4. Non-Restrictive and Restrictive Clauses
A restrictive relative clause is essential to the meaning of a sentence, and these do not need commas.
People who do their work efficiently make good students

14. 5. Minor Uses Use commas after answering a questions with yes or no.
Use a comma when addressing someone directly and specifically naming the person spoken to.
This helps avoid this problem:

15. 5. Minor Uses Use a comma after interjections, like “ah,” “oh,” etc.
Use a comma to contrast
Harold, not Roy, is my scuba-diving partner.