easy comma rules

What are the 8 Simple Rules for Commas With Examples?

• Use commas with lists.
• Use commas to separate direct quotations.
• Use commas to set off certain words.
• Use commas after an introductory clause or phrase.
• Use commas to separate independent clauses.
• Use commas to set off participial phrases.
• Use commas between certain parts of address.
• Use commas to separate certain parts of a date.

Full Answer

What are some basic comma rules?

Ten Easy Comma Rules

• Rule 1: Use a comma between items that are listed in a series, which contain three or more words or clauses.
• Rule 2: Use a comma when quoting the words of others.
• Rule 3: Use a comma when writing dates and addresses.
• Rule 4: Use a comma after introductory phrases.

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What are three ways to use an introductory comma?

Use a comma in the following cases:

• After an introductory clause.
• After a long introductory prepositional phrase or more than one introductory prepositional phrase.
• After introductory verbal phrases, some appositive phrases, or absolute phrases.
• If there is a distinct pause.
• To avoid confusion.

What are nine comma rules?

Rule 6

• Transitional Expressions. Transitional expressions serve as bridges between sentences or parts of sentences. ...
• Exception For Rule Six Of The Comma. If a transitional expression blends smoothly with the rest of the sentence, calling for little or no pause in reading, it does not ...
• Parenthetical Expressions. ...
• Absolute Phrases. ...
• Contrasted Elements. ...

How, why and when to use commas correctly in writing?

Why and when to use commas

• Connecting two independent clauses. You can use commas to connect two completely independent phrases. ...
• Eliminate confusion. Writing without commas can become a confusing read. ...
• Separate items. We use commas to separate several list items in one sentence. ...
• Introductory adverbs. ...
• Address elements. ...
• Full dates. ...
• Summary. ...

What are the 5 Rules of commas?

Use a comma after an introductory phrase or clause. ... Use commas before and after a parenthetical phrase or clause. ... Use a comma to separate two independent clauses linked by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor or, so, yet) ... Use a comma to separate items in a series.More items...

What are the 12 rules for commas?

ShareUse a comma to separate items in a list (but beware of the serial comma). ... Use a comma to join independent clauses. ... Use a comma to join a dependent clause and an independent clause. ... Use a comma following an introductory word group. ... Use a comma to interrupt a sentence or to provide additional information.More items...

What are the 4 rules for commas?

6:117:554 Basic Comma Rules: Learn English Punctuation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSeparate it with commas using commas these four basic rules number one separating fanboys clausesMoreSeparate it with commas using commas these four basic rules number one separating fanboys clauses number two separating listeners in a sentence rule number three separating lists in a sentence.

What are 6 basic comma rules?

To better understand the use of the comma, begin by learning the following eight basic uses:USE A COMMA TO SEPARATE INDEPENDENT CLAUSES. ... USE A COMMA AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY CLAUSE OR PHRASE. ... USE A COMMA BETWEEN ALL ITEMS IN A SERIES. ... USE COMMAS TO SET OFF NONRESTRICTIVE CLAUSES. ... USE A COMMA TO SET OFF APPOSITIVES.More items...

What are the 8 rules of commas?

Commas (Eight Basic Uses)Use a comma to separate independent clauses. ... Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase. ... Use a comma between all items in a series. ... Use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses. ... Use a comma to set off appositives. ... Use a comma to indicate direct address. ... Use commas to set off direct quotations.More items...

What are the 3 comma rules?

Since I made such a stink about it, let's start with this rule:Use a comma between items in a series or list.Use a comma between two independent clauses separated by a conjunction.Use a comma between two adjectives preceding a noun.Your Mission.

How do you use commas examples?

Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. Example: My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew. Note: When the last comma in a series comes before and or or (after daughter-in-law in the above example), it is known as the Oxford comma.

What is the comma rule?

Quick Guide to Commas Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.

How do you use a comma for kids?

1:078:13Grammar Vids for Kids: How To Use Commas - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd before the coordinating conjunction that separates the clauses. Let's see this in action ourMoreAnd before the coordinating conjunction that separates the clauses. Let's see this in action our sentences the alien has a spaceship but he doesn't have any friends.

How do you master a comma?

Now let's use the secret trick with your commasUse a comma between two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction such as and, or, nor, for, so, yet, and but. ... Don't use a comma when an independent clause is joined to a dependent clause—the clue is a subordinating conjunction such as because.More items...

How do you use commas in 5th grade?

key ideaUse commas to separate the name of a person being spoken to from the rest of the sentence. ... Use a comma after words like yes, no, well, and many others, when they are followed by a complete sentence. ... Use a comma after a mild interjection. ... Use commas to separate three or more items in a series.More items...

How many rules are there for commas?

Most people have no clue there are eight comma rules. There really are only eight! And no, one does not involve putting a comma in when you naturally pause. Maybe if you are transcribing speech… but even then there's a 99.9% chance that's incorrect placing.

When to use a comma in a list?

When you have a list that contains more than two elements, use commas to separate them. Julie loves ice cream books and kittens. Julie loves ice cream, books, and kittens. Julie loves ice cream, books and kittens. (The comma before the and in a list of three or more items is optional.

What does a comma mean in a sentence?

While a period ends a sentence, a comma indicates a smaller break. Some writers think of a comma as a soft pause—a punctuation mark that separates words, clauses, or ideas within a sentence.

When do you need a conjunction?

When you want to join two independent clauses , you need a conjunction or a semicolon. A comma alone isn’t strong enough to join them. This kind of mistake is called a comma splice.

When to use parentheses in a sentence?

Parentheses are used to give additional information to the reader—information that would disrupt the flow of the sentence if written as a nonrestrictive clause. Commas may be placed after the closing parenthesis but not before either the opening or the closing parenthesis. If the sentence would not require any commas if the parenthetical statement were removed, the sentence should not have any commas when the parentheses are added.

How to use commas in a list?

Use commas with lists. Use commas to separate direct quotations. Use commas to set off certain words. Use commas after an introductory clause or phrase. Use commas to separate independent clauses. Use commas to set off participial phrases. Use commas between certain parts of address. Use commas to separate certain parts of a date.

What is a comma in a sentence?

Commas are punctuation marks that mostly indicate pauses in sentences. The tricky thing about commas is that most people struggle to know where to put commas in sentences. There is some flexibility but knowing the comma rules will help you take away the guess work and build confidence in your placement of commas.

When to use a comma after a date?

You will need to place a comma after the year when it appears in the middle of a sentence. Friday, November 30, 1991, was my graduation day.

When to put a comma after a participial phrase?

If the participial phrase is before the main clause, put the comma after the participial phrase. If the participial phrase is in the middle of the sentence , the participial phrase requires a comma before and after it. If the participial phrase is after the main clause, put a comma before the participial phrase.

When to use a comma in a series?

Use a comma between all items in a series. Rule: Use a comma to separate each item in a series; a series is a group of three or more items having the same function and form in a sentence. We bought apples, peaches, and bananas today. (series of words)

What does a comma tell you?

A comma tells readers that the introductory clause or phrase has come to a close and that the main part of the sentence is about to begin. When Evan was ready to iron, his cat tripped on the cord. Near a small stream at the bottom of the canyon, park rangers discovered a gold mine. 3.

What are some examples of commas in numbers?

In numbers four digits long, a comma is optional. Examples: 3,500 [or 3500] 100,000.

When a speaker in a sentence names the person to whom he is speaking, this addressing of his audience

Rule: When a speaker in a sentence names the person to whom he is speaking, this addressing of his audience is called direct address. Direct address is indicated by the use of a comma or commas, depending upon its placement within the sentence.

Is zip code preceded by a comma?

Rules for addresses: The elements of an address or place name are separated by commas. A zip code , however, is not preceded by a comma. Examples: John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England, in 1940.

Do you put a comma in a direct quotation?

Use commas to set off direct quotations. Rule: A dialogue is a conversation between two or more people. If the speaker (not the listener) in the conversation is identified, his name, (or the noun or pronoun used to refer to the speaker), and the verb that refers to his speaking are enclosed within commas.

What does a comma mean in an essay?

A comma is a punctuation mark that indicates a pause in the sentence. The most common three rules of commas involve introducers, interrupters, and add-ons. Sometimes even an instructor’s marks on an essay don’t help. If you’ve used too many commas this time, on the next paper you might not use any--and vice versa.

What are commas used for in writing?

Many of those 60-odd comma rules boil down to this: Commas are used most frequently for: introducers, interrupters, and add-ons. Check your own writing for these three uses, and you’ll begin to master commas.

Comma Rule 2

Use a comma with a coordinating conjunction (a FANBOYS word) when there’s a sentence in front and in back. And and but are the most important coordinate conjunctions. Study these examples:

Comma Rule 3

Use two commas with an interrupter (a group of words with a voice change).