Rules of Commas

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    Aim: What are the rules of using

    commas?

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    1. Before Coordinating Conjunctions

    for Compound Sentences Use a comma before a coordinating

    conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or,yet,so)

    Used to connect two independent clauses ina compound sentence

    Ex: Joe has seven chickens, but Jack hasthree.

    Ex: I asked you to repeat that,yet youdidnt.

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    2. Set off an Introductory Phrase or

    Clause

    Introductory clauses are dependent clauses that are

    in the beginning of the sentence

    Because he kept barking, we threw the ball forSmokey. (introductory dependent clause, main

    clause)

    Clue: Introductory clauses start with adverbs (or

    dependent clause markers) like after, although, as,because, before, if,since, though, until, when, etc.

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    Important Exception

    Dont put a comma when the dependent

    clause comes after the independent clause

    Ex: She was late for class because she fell.

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    3. Transition/Introductory Words and

    Phrases

    Use a comma to set off transition words and

    introductory phrases from the rest of the

    sentence Ex: Unfortunately, there is no free lunch

    Ex: I dont want to take the test, however, I

    need to.

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    4. Set off an Appositive (Non-

    Essential Phrases) An appositive is a noun or pronoun set besideanother noun or pronoun to explain or identify it.

    Only put commas before and after appositives

    when the sentence would still make sense withoutthe appositive (non-essential) Parentheses: if the phrase/clause couldbe put in

    parentheses, its an appositive

    Ex: Bill, my brother, got a job. Ex: I want to go to Paris, my favorite city in theworld

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    5. Separate Adjectives

    Use a comma to separate two or more

    adjectives that describe the same noun

    Ex: I will go into the small, cramped room. Not: The small pretty girl went to school.

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    6. Quoted Words and Dialogue

    Use a comma to set off quoted words and

    dialogue

    Before the quote Ex: I said, go to the mall.

    After the quote

    Ex: Go to the mall, I said.

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    7. Direct Address

    Direct address means you are addressing

    someone.

    Use a comma to set off the noun you aredirectly talking to.

    Ex: Mom, go get me a soda.

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    8. Phrases that Express Difference

    Use a comma to set off phrases that express

    difference or a distinct pause or shift

    Ex: You need to pay attention now, notlater.

    Ex: The game is today, not tomorrow.

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    9. Mild Interjections

    Use a comma to set off mild interjections!

    Ex: Oh, it will freeze.

    Ex: My gosh, thats smart.

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    10. Separate Items in a Series or List

    Use commas to separate items of three or

    more things

    The last comma is sometimes left out (serialcomma)

    Ex: Milk, bread, and cheese

    Serial

    comma

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    11. Dates and Years

    Used to separating the day from the year

    when also writing the month.

    Ex: March 19, 2005 Ex: June 17, 1905

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    12. Large Numbers

    Used to present large numbers in morereadable forms

    Every 3 Places Ex: 1,500,275 = One million, five hundred

    thousand, two hundred seventy-five

    **Fun fact In Europe and other countries,they use commas as decimal points andspaces for commas**

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    13. City and States

    Used to separate the city from the state

    Ex: Havertown, PA

    Ex: Orlando, Florida

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    14. Names and Titles

    Ex: Dr. Brown, PhD.

    Ex: Mrs. Smith, R.N, B.S.

    Also when using the last name first

    Ex: Bond, James

    Used often in books (and MLA)