Comma Rules Flashcards
Rule 1: use commas to separate ______ in a series
Items
Ex. The camp counselor distributed baseball, bats, volleyballs, tennis rackets, and bandages.
Rule 2: use commas to separate two or more __________ preceding a noun
Adjectives
Rule 3: independent clauses. Use a comma before a __________ conjunction when the conjunction joins __________ clauses
Coordinating (FANBOYS)…independent
Ex. Patrick brought the sandwiches, and Cindy brought the potato salad
Rule 4: Nonessential clauses and phrases. Use commas to set off nonessential __________ clauses and nonessential __________ phrases
Subordinate (can’t stand alone)…participle (verb acts like adj)
Nonessential clause: Emilia Ortiz, who lives across the street from me, won a scholarship to Stanford University
Nonessential phrase: Kelly, waiting outside the stage door, got the band leader’s autograph.
Rule 5: use a comma after certain _________ elements
Introductory - Exclamation, introductory participle or participle phrase, intro. prepositional phrase, adverbial clause
Exclamation: Sure, I’ll go look with you.
Intro. participle/phrase: Shivering, the couple hurried into the warm lobby of the movie theater
Into. prep phrase: During the long bus ride home, we sang songs and told stories to amuse ourselves
Adverbial clause: When you’ve gone to this school for a while, you’ll know your way around too.
Rule 6: use commas to set off an expression that _________ a sentence
Interrupts - Nonessential appositives and phrases, words of direct address, parenthetical expressions
Nonessential appositives/phrase: A senator from Kansas, Nancy Landon Kassebaum, was the principle speaker
Words of direct address: David, please close the door
Parenthetical expressions: In fact, Emily Dickinson is my favorite poet
Rule 7: _________ uses of commas
Conventional - dates/addresses, personal letter, professions
Dates/addresses: On Saturday, June 21, 1999, Robert moved to Miami Beach, Florida, with his parents
Personal letter: Dear Marcus,
Professions: Jr., Sr., M.D.,
