1. The Comma Rules!

2. Rule # 1 1.Use commas to separate items in a series. (The comma separating the second last and last items in the series is optional.)

3. Rule #1 Examples  Today we have Language Arts, Science, French and Phys. Ed.  I play hockey, basketball, baseball, and soccer.

4. Rule # 2 2.Use a comma to separate clauses when they are joined by coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so“FANBOYS”

5. Rule # 2 Examples  I enjoy running, and I will run in the marathon in May.  Steven has a great singing voice, yet he will not sing in public.  Jeremy studied in the coffee house for his chemistry quiz, but he was distracted by the noise.

6. Rule # 3 3.Use a comma to separate independent clauses from introductory words (subordinating conjunctions).

7. Rule # 3 Examples  However, not everyone agreed that the movie was good.  When I think back, there are a few things I would have done differently.

8. Rule #3 Examples  Before we begin, Jenna has an announcement to make.  True, I had not thought about it that way before.

9. Rule # 4 4.Use commas to separate any word or expression that is not essential to the sentence’s meaning from the rest of the sentence.

10. Rule #4 Examples  Ms. Gray, our school nurse, spoke to us about nutrition.  Strawberry ice cream, my personal favorite, is on sale this week.

11. Rule #4 Examples  My cat Mittens, she has white paws, will be 10 years old next month.  Mr. Brown, my soccer coach, says I am good with my feet.