1. Comma Rules
English 121

2. Purposes of Punctuation
To illuminate the grammar of a sentence.
T0 point up…such literary qualities as rhythm, direction, pitch, tone and flow.
—from Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss, page 70

3. Be careful with your commas
Be careful with your commas! A misplaced comma could even be a matter of life or death!
Let’s eat Grandma.
Let’s eat, Grandma.
Go get him, surgeons.
Go, get him surgeons.
I would like to thank my parents, Mark Twain and God.
I would like to thank my parents, Mark Twain, and God.
Leonora walked on her head, a little higher than usual.
Leonora walked on, her head a little higher than usual.
The driver managed to escape before the vehicle sank and swam to shore.
The driver managed to escape before the vehicle sank, and swam to shore.
The convict said the judge is mad.
“The convict,” said the judge, “is mad.”

4. Comma Rule 1: Use commas to separate items in a list.
I would like to thank my parents, Mark Twain, and God.
Please pick up milk, juice, eggs and bread.

5. Comma Rule 2: Use a comma before a “fanboys” conjunction that joins two complete thoughts (independent clauses).
The girls were tired, but they battled back to win the volleyball game.
Alexa’s birthday is today, so Hayden made her breakfast in bed.
For variety and to show a close coordinate relationship between independent clauses, you could use a semicolon rather than a comma and a “fanboys” conjunction.
Julie enjoys horseback riding; she also enjoys dancing.
I enjoy skiing; I also enjoy biking.

6. Comma Rule 3: Use a comma after certain introductory elements, including an introductory subordinate clause.
In the gym, lights were on.
Outside, the yard was cluttered with junk.
When the yappy little dogs bark, they are annoying.
As we stood in line, we were entertained by the musicians.

7. Comma Rule 4: Use commas, like a fork, to offset nonessential or parenthetical elements, also known as interrupters.
Shadow, our new dog, like to go for walks.
Matthew and Eric, my oldest sons, serve in the military.

8. Comma Rule 5: Use a comma between coordinate adjectives.
The old, run-down building was torn down.
The tall, distinguished man spoke to the audience.
The little old lady baked the children cookies.
Hint: If you can place an and or a but between the adjectives, you can use a comma instead.

9. Comma Rule 6: Use a comma to set off quoted elements.
Alexa asked, “Are we going to the barn today.”
Mark Twain once said, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.”

10. Comma Rule 7: Use commas between contrasting ideas.
In his poem “Fire and Ice,” Robert Frost suggests that the world may end in ice, not fire.
Shadow, our new puppy, is cute, but messy.

11. Use commas for certain typographical reasons.
Between a city and state: Cary, IL
Between the day, date, and year: Monday, September 30, 2013
Between a name and a title: Dr. Robert Cole, Professor of History
Between digits in long numbers: 1,150; 1,150,125; 1,150,125,100

12. Sources
“Extended Rules for Using Commas.” Purdue Online Writing Lab. Web. 30 Sept < “Rules for Comma Usage.” Guide to Grammar and Writing. Capital Community College Foundation. Web. 30 Sept < Truss, Lynne. Eats, Shoots & Leaves. New York, NY: Gotham Books, Print.