Comma Rules

Find the Errors! II

Proofreading Activities

Rule 1

Use commas to: Separate parts of an address.

They have lived at 4315 Hill Street Quincy Illinois since 1987.

Rule 2

Use commas to: Separate parts of an address.

It happened on Monday October 18 2002 at 10 A.M.

Rule 3

Use commas to: Set off a noun in direct address.

Class read Chapter Two for tomorrow.

Rule 4

Use commas to: Set off appositives (pairs of adjacent nouns that play the same grammatical role in a sentence).

Our neighbor Charles Wilson is a doctor.

Rule 5

Use commas to: Separate three or more items in a series.

I ordered a hamburger fries and a soft drink.

Rule 6

Use commas to: Separate a quotation from the rest of the sentence.

“I’ll help” volunteered Miguel “if you need me to.”

Rule 7

Use commas to: Separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun.

I settled into my cozy soft new armchair.

Rule 8

Use commas to: Separate two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction (and, or, but, nor, for, or yet).

We went to school early and we talked to all our friends.

Rule 9

Use commas to: Set off nonessential clauses and nonessential participial phrases.

My neighbor who loves animals works for the Animal Rescue League.

The boy running down the stairs tripped and fell.

Rule 10

Use commas: After an introductory word.

Yes I’d like to see that movie.

Rule 11

Use commas: After an introductory participial phrase.

Frightened by the noise the child started to cry.

Rule 12

Use commas: After a series of introductory prepositional phrases.

Near the tree by the edge of the water we sat and talked.

Rule 13

Use commas: After a long introductory prepositional phrase.

Up the dark winding steep circular staircase the women walked carefully.

Rule 14

Use commas: After an introductory adverb clause.

After the organist finished playing the audience clapped.

Rule 15

Use commas: After the salutation of a friendly letter.

Dear Susan Thank you for the lovely flowers.

Rule 16

Use commas: After the closing of a letter.

Sincerely yours Steve

Rule 17

Use commas: After a name followed by a title abbreviation.

My father is John Edwards Jr. and he is a lawyer.

Rule 18

Use commas to: Set off parenthetical expressions.

She won not surprisingly first place in each event.

Rule 19

Use commas to: Set off parts of a reference that direct the reader to the exact source.

The assignment was to read the Odyssey Book 10 pages 5-6.

Rule 20

Use commas to: Set off a tag question.

You’ll deposit this money won’t you?

Avoid using unnecessary commas!

Complete Find the Errors! II – Lessons 3 and 4