THE COMMA CONUNDRUM!

Commas are important. They help the reader. Without them , a reader would often have to go back and reread a sentence to find out exactly what the writer meant.

The Savvy 7

1. Put a comma between items in a series.

EX. For thanksgiving dinner I am making: turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, green beans, and mashed potatoes.

The Savvy 7

2. Put a comma before F.A.N.B.O.Y.S. (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)when they connect 2 independent clauses.

EX. I don’t have the ingredients for the dressing, nor do I have the green beans!

The Savvy 7

3. Put a comma after an introductory expression that doesn’t flow smoothly into the sentence.

EX: So, I went to the store but they are all out of turkeys.

Ex: Well, did you go to another store?

The Savvy 7

4. Put Commas around the name of a person spoken to.

EX: I really need that recipe, Tom, can you get it to me by Monday?

The Savvy 7

5. Put Commas around an interrupter, like however, moreover, therefore, finally, of course, by the way, on the other hand, I am sure, I think.

EX. I would love to come to Thanksgiving dinner at your house, however, I am busy.

Ex. Patrick is coming over at 5:00, by the way, he can give Theresa a ride.

The Savvy 7

6. Put commas around nonessential material.

EX. My English teacher, Mrs. Fell, is making us take a lot of notes right now!

EX. My students, in fourth hour, really need to learn to take notes faster!

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7. Use commas to set off verbs of saying from direct quotations.

EX “It is time to eat”, she said, “so pass the dressing please.”

But wait there’s more…

LOCATIONS Commas between a city and state!EX. Grosse Pointe Woods, MichiganEX. Albany, New York

DATES Use commas to separate the day of the week (Monday) from the date (may 24) and the date from the year (2001)EX. It was on Monday, May 24, 2001.

The Savvy 7

If you master these 7 rules

your writing will be easier to read!