Can you COMMA?Comma Rules

RULE # 1:Separate three or more items in a series or listing.

Ex. She went to the store and purchased cheese, milk, eggs, bread, and cookies.

Add the Commas if needed1)The mountains and valleys of southern

Appalacia were once home to the Cherokee people.

2)Cleveland Cincinnati Toledo and Dayton are four large cities in Ohio.

3)The captain entered the cockpit checked the instruments and prepared for takeoff.

4)The speaker took a deep breath and read the report.

5)The horse ran jumped the puddle turned the corner and sprinted the final stretch.

RULE # 2:Separate two or more equal adjectives of the same importance before a noun.

Ex. She is a talented, flexible gymnast.

Add the comma if needed

1)My spaniel is a fat sassy puppy.

2)The huge barn owl screeched.

3)The fluffy kitten with brown black and white spots is my favorite.

4)The old red barn sat on top of the hill.

5)The cranky fat horse refused to run.

RULE # 3:Before the coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence

Ex. I love playing soccer, but I also enjoy playing piano.

Add a comma if needed

1)The officer gave the lady a ticket but she didn’t feel like she had made an error.

2)The students were excited for they were going to English class.

3)I didn’t have my science homework done nor was I prepared for my social studies test.

4)I was tired yet I stayed.

5)The horse looked determined so I chose the tougher track.

RULE # 4:Offset extra information that is not needed to make the sentence complete.

Ex. Mrs. Burg, a teacher at Ingomar Middle School, loves to go running.

Ex. Ingomar Middle School, located in Pittsburgh, is a nationally ranked school.

Add a comma if needed

1)My sister listening to the radio did not hear me.

2)The Wizard of Oz which I saw again last week is still my favorite movie.

3)The dress that I liked has been sold.

4)The people waiting to see the horse whistled and cheered.

5)Millions of immigrants came through Ellis Island which is in Upper New York.

RULE # 5:Offset words used in a direct address of a person.

Ex. Mrs. Miles, please shut the door.

Ex. Please shut the door, Mrs. Miles.

Add a comma when needed.

1)Pay attention now class.

2)Excellent work Cam.

3)Sydney will you pass out the candy?

4)Did you hear the directions Charlie?

5)Roman can you read your example?

RULE # 6:After yes, no, or any mild exclamation at the beginning of a sentence. (Can also happen with the word too at the end of a sentence.)

Ex. No, I cannot go to the concert with you tomorrow.

Ex. I really enjoyed the Fall Out Boy concert, too!

Add a comma if needed.

1)Yes I will go with you to the game.

2)No that horse is not fit to run.

3)Well I think you are wrong.

4)You can earn an A in this class too.

5)Why its Mr. Gamache!

RULE # 7:After an introductory phrase that tells where.

Ex. Next to the old and dirty refrigerator, we found a cookbook from 1952.

Ex. Beside the tall bookshelf, we found his lost wallet.

Add a comma if needed.

1)Walking home from school I saw Mrs. Stark driving.

2)On the counter at home you will find my project that I needed for class today.

3)At the stoplight turn right.

4)On the grassy island the students lined up quietly.

5)Turning to the back of the book she discovered the hero was really the villain.

RULE # 8:After an introductory phrase that tells when.

Ex. After the football game, we all went to Wildwood Highlands.

Ex. At 3:10pm on Friday afternoon, the school will leave for holiday break.

Add a comma if needed.

1)When I go to bed late I sometimes have trouble waking up in the morning.

2)After eating the cake the children were very energetic.

3)During the assembly no one could sit still.

4)Before the test we had some time to study.

5)While I was reading my mind drifted back to the game.

RULE # 9:Write the greeting and closing in a letter.

Ex. Dear Mom,

Ex. Sincerely,

Can you come up with 5 creative greetings and closings?

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

RULE # 10:Write Dates.

Ex. Today is Monday, August 27, 2012.

Ex. She was born on November 26, 1975.

Add a comma if needed.

1)The test is on Friday.

2)A letter dated from March 10 1890 was in the box.

3)There will be no school for students on Friday October 9th.

4)The baby was born on Tuesday June 5th 2015.

5)On July 4th 1776 the United States declared is independence from England.

RULE # 11:Write a mailing address.

Ex. He lives at 1515 Tiger Pride Way, Ingomar, Pennsylvania 15237.

Ex. Please mail the letter to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Please CORRECTLY write your address.

RULE # 12:After transitional words and phrases at the beginning of a sentence.

Ex. First, mix together the eggs, milk, and cheese.

Ex. When all is said and done, it was the best class of the day.

Ex. Finally, another benefit of chocolate is that it puts people in a good mood.