1. Comma Rules Shelley Rasinen

2. Rule 1 Use commas to separate items in a series. - The basketball coach recommended that she practice dribbling, shooting, weaving, and passing. - We can meet before English class, during lunch, or after school.

3. Rule 2 Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun. - Lucia is an intelligent, thoughtful, responsible student. When the last adjective before the noun is through of as part of the noun, omit the comma. - Let’s play this new video game.

4. Rule 3 Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet when they join independent clauses. - Amy followed the recipe carefully, for she had never made carrot cake before.

5. Rule 4 Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and nonessential participial phrases. Nonessential Clause - Lydia Cabrera, who was born in Cuba, wrote many books about African Cuban culture. Nonessential Phrase - Lee, noticing my confusion, rephrased her question.

6. Rule 5 Use a comma after certain introductory elements. Set off interjections - Yes, I heard your question. After an introductory participial phrase - Looking poised and calm, Jill walked to the podium. After two or more introductory prepositional phrases - In the first round of the golf tournament, I played one of the best golfers in the state. After an introductory adverb clause - After I had locked the car door, I remembered that the keys were still in the ignition.

7. Rule 6 Use commas to set off elements that interrupt a sentence. Appositives and appositive phrases - My favorite book by Claude McKay, Banjo, was first published in 1929. Words in direct address - Mom, have you called Mrs. Johnson yet? Parenthetical expressions - It’s too late to call now, I believe.

8. Rule 7 Use a comma in certain conventional situations. - To separate items in dates and addresses - After the salutation of a friendly letter and after the closing of any letter - After a name followed by an abbreviation and after the abbreviation when the name and abbreviation are used together in a sentence.

9. Rule 8 Do not use unnecessary commas. Use a comma only if a rule requires one or if the meaning is unclear without one.