1. Commas

2. First rule about commas: There are no definite rules. All comma rules have exceptions, but there are common usages. Understanding common usage can help us use commas properly.

3. Common Usage Rule #1: Never put a comma between the subject and the verb in a sentence. “Everyday, brings a new possibility” Remember, what is a subject? What is a verb?

4. Common Usage Rule #1: Never put a comma between the subject and the verb in a sentence. “Everyday brings a new possibility” The subject “everyday” cannot be separated from the verb “brings”

5. Common Usage Rule #1: “An education, is something everyone needs”

6. Common Usage Rule #1: “An education is something everyone needs” Or “Everyone needs an education”

7. Common Usage Rule #1 Exception: “The gardener, Josh, hates weeds” The subject “Josh” is separated from the verb “hates.” Appositives rename nouns right beside them, and are allowed to break up the sentence with commas

8. Common Usage Rule #1 Exception… exception!: Appositives come in two forms: restrictive and nonrestrictive. Restrictive changes the meaning of a noun. Nonrestrictive do not change the meaning of the noun.

9. Common Usage Rule #1 Exception… exception!: Appositives come in two forms: restrictive and nonrestrictive. Restrictive changes the meaning of a noun and don’t use commas. Nonrestrictive do not change the meaning of the noun and use commas.

10. Common Usage Rule #1 Exception… exception!: For example: “The gardener, Josh, hates weeds.” If there is only one gardener, and I’m just telling you his name, then I put the nonrestrictive appositive in commas.

11. Common Usage Rule #1 Exception… exception!: For example: “The gardener Josh hates weeds.” If there are many gardeners, and it is crucial to the sentence that I tell you which one, then I put the restrictive appositive without commas.

12. Common Usage Rule #1 Exception… exception!: For appositives, think of the difference as this: if the information is required for you to know who I am talking about, don’t use commas. If the information is just additional and not required to know exactly who I am talking about, use commas.

14. Common Usage Rule #1 Summary: 1. Don’t split up a subject and a verb with a comma 2. Unless you are using a nonrestrictive appositive, which ‘renames’ the nearest noun and gives additional information on it

15. Common Usage Rule #1 Correct or incorrect?: 1) The insect, a cockroach, scurried across the floor. 2) Mark, and Jane, were really tired. 3) The building to the left of the main office, was under construction. 4) My two sisters, Martha, the troublemaker, and Betty, the shy one, are coming to town. 5) The things which cause me joy, may also cause me pain. 6) The method of ensuring you are driving the right way, is to check your GPS.

16. Common Usage Rule #1 Correct or incorrect?: 1) The insect, a cockroach, scurried across the floor. 2) Mark and Jane were really tired. 3) The building to the left of the main office was under construction. 4) My two sisters, Martha, the troublemaker, and Betty, the shy one, are coming to town. 5) The things which cause me joy may also cause me pain. 6) The method of ensuring you are driving the right way is to check your GPS.