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Writing Resources
Comma Rules
Comma Rules
What is a comma?
It’s a punctuation mark that is used to show a pause in a sentence. It can be used in a variety of ways like separating a list of items or connect two parts of a sentence.
It’s used to create a pause shorter than a colon or semi colon.
When to use a comma?
Use commas after introductory phrase.
Use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses.
Use commas before or after quotation marks.
Use commas to separate a series of words
Separate a series of phrases
Connect two independent clauses
Avoid confusion
Separate dates, years, and addresses
Examples for when to use a comma:
Still excited from last night, Molly didn’t sleep well.
Jon, a famous painter, decided to teach the night class.
“Don’t go,” yelled Bobby.
Mark is in a math class with Alex, Lisa, Thalia, and Tyler.
They needed to make sure they: got on the bus, sat nicely next to each other, and didn’t argue the rest of the way.
There is always help in these situations, but you just need to seek it out.
Shawn took his sister, but not his brother, to the ballet recital.
She was born in Madison April 14, 2000.
When is it not appropriate to use a comma?
To help identify these, try reading you sentence out loud and give each comma an exaggerated pause to test if it works well or not. If the comma doesn’t seem to help with the flow of the sentence, then the comma is unnecessary and can be removed.
When there are only two items on a list
When two actions are related to one single subject
After the last item in a list
Examples for when not to use a comma:
Ashley, Thomas, Nell, and Sophia, have been best friends since third grade
Correct: Ashley, Thomas, Nell, and Sophia have been best friends since third grade.
I went to the park to relax, and have a picnic.
Correct: I went to the park to relax and have a picnic.
Practice Quiz #1
Practice Quiz #2
Comma Quiz #3