Comma Rules 7-13

7

At the top of the mountain, we planted a flag.

Before the beginning of recorded history, people lived in caves.

Comma Rule 7Use a comma after two or

more introductory prepositional phrases.

• A “preposition” shows the relationship of a noun or a pronoun to other words in the sentence.

He came from Mexico and

settled near Houston to find jobs for his family.

7 practice

In a circle of white birches near the river we made our camp.In a circle of white birches near the river, we made our camp.

Before the invention of the clock time was kept by the hourglass.

Before the invention of the clock, time was kept by the hourglass.

Near the door to the garage you will find hooks for the car keys.

Near the door to the garage, you will find hooks for the car keys.

8

After I had proofread my paper, I made the corrections.

Because crepes are delicious, Joy makes them on special occasions.

Comma Rule 8Use a comma after an

introductory adverbial clause. • An “adverbial clause” is a

subordinate clause that describes a verb, an adjective, or an adverb.

• An adverb clause tells how, when, where, why, how much, to what extent, or under what condition the action of the verb takes place.

8 practice

When Lilly studies she does much better. When Lilly studies, she does much better.

As the horses ran by the crowds cheered loudly. As the horses ran by, the crowds cheered loudly.

Whenever we go to the mall we have a hard time finding a parking place.

Whenever we go to the mall, we have a hard time finding a parking place.

9

Kublai Khan, the first emperor of the Yuan dynasty, united China under his rule.

My teacher, Mrs. Pierce, asked me to audition for the play.

Comma Rule 9

Use commas to set off appositives. An “appositive” is a noun or a pronoun placed

beside another noun or pronoun to identify or describe it.

9 practiceAn interview with Mariah Carey a pop singer was in our paper. An interview with Mariah Carey, a pop singer, was in our paper.

Jennifer Garner my favorite actress stars in the movie we rented.

Jennifer Garner, my favorite actress, stars in the movie we rented.

My cousin consulted Dr. Moniz an allergy specialist about the harmful effects of pollution.

My cousin consulted Dr. Moniz, an allergy specialist, about the harmful effects of pollution.

10

Did you know, Coach Kelly, that the bus is late?

Adam, please clean the dishes.

Comma Rule 10

Use a comma to set off titles and names of direct address.

10 practice

If you can manage it Carrie I’d appreciate some help. If you can manage it, Carrie, I’d appreciate some help.

Listen to me Buster or you’ll be sorry. Listen to me, Buster, or you’ll be sorry.

Cynthia do you know the answer?Cynthia, do you know the answer?

11

The train will, I’m sure, be on time.

She is, in fact, a dentist.

In my opinion, John’s new car is a lemon.

Comma Rule 11

Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions.

A “parenthetical

expression” is an extra comment that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

11 Practice

Of course I am glad that he called me about the extra concert ticket.

Of course, I am glad that he called me about the extra concert ticket.

Sandra will I think, enjoy the production. Sandra will, I think, enjoy the production.

After all we’ve been through this situation before.After all, we’ve been through this situation before.

12

Hawaii achieved statehood on August 21, 1959, as the fiftieth state.

Write me at 12 Adams Dr., Salt Lake City, Utah 84101, after May first.

Comma Rule 12

Use commas after each item of a date or address when there are two or more items.

Treat month/day and state/zip code as one item.

12 PracticeOn January 28 1979 Mitchell Jones ate 20 hotdogs in Amarillo Texas to

win first prize in an eating contest. On January 28, 1979, Mitchell Jones ate 20 hotdogs in Amarillo, Texas

to win first prize in an eating contest.

Please address the envelope to Ms. Marybeth Correio 1255 S.E. 56th Street Bellevue California 98006.

Please address the envelope to Ms. Marybeth Correio, 1255 S.E. 56th Street, Bellevue, California 98006.

Sources claim that on April 6 1909 Matthew Henson, assistant to Commander Robert E. Peary, reached the North Pole.

Sources claim that on April 6, 1909, Matthew Henson, assistant to Commander Robert E. Peary, reached the North Pole.

13

Behind the saddle, horses were lined up. Behind the saddle horses were lined up.

After eating, my family watched television. After eating my family watched television. (Yikes!)

Comma Rule 13

Use commas to make certain the reader does not confuse the meaning of a sentence.

VS.

13 practiceGo get him surgeons!• INTENT: The man needs help and the speaker is telling an audience to get

him surgeons.Go, get him surgeons!

The driver managed to escape from the vehicle before it sank and swam to the riverbank.

• INTENT: The driver got out of the car and then swam to the side of the river.

The driver managed to escape from the vehicle before it sank, and swam to the riverbank.

The worker said the manager is lazy.• INTENT: The manager feels his worker is lazy.The worker, said the manager, is lazy.