COMMA

Rule 1:

direct address

Use a comma to set off a noun of direct address

(a person spoken to).

Louise, come here, please.

Have you gone, Michael?

I want to go, Roy, with your group.

Rule 2:

Introductory words.

Use a comma to set off Introductory words.

No, I haven't seen it.

Well, I've changed my mind.

Yes, the chimes are new.

Rule 3:

Interrupters

Use a comma to set off Interrupters in a sentence.

The answer, I think is fifty‑four.

This calendar is, in fact, an old one.

However, not all is lost.

These swings, by the way, need to be repaired.

Rule 4:

greeting of a friendly letter.

Use a comma after the greeting of a friendly letter.

Dear Karla,

My dearest friend,

Rule 5:

closing of letter.

Use a comma after the closing of any letter.

Sincerely yours,

Love,

Rule 6:

words or phrases in a series (list rule)

Use a comma to set off words or phrases in a series.

Furniture, linens, toys, and dishes were sold there.

We ran a mile, swam a half mile, and biked a mile.

You may go to the zoo, to the park, or to the carnival.

Rule 7:

clarify

Use a comma to clarify (make clear) a sentence.

In the night time was extremely important. (wrong)

In the night, time was extremely important. (right)

Rule 8:

descriptive adjectives

Use a comma between two or more descriptive adjectives.

Bright, sparkling stars twinkled in the dark night.

COMMA

Rule 9:

appositive

Use a comma to set off an appositive from the rest of the sentence.

Ms. Pratt, the bank President, spoke about loans.

The best student is Gregg, the boy in the last row.

We invited Tracy, our best friend, to dinner

Rule 10:

city and state

Use a comma between a city and state or country.

Miami, Florida                                                                         London, England

  Use a comma to separate the parts of an address.

Bill lives at 567 West Lowe Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

  If the city and state or country appear In a sentence, also place a comma after the state or country.

  Have you been to Richmond, Virginia, in the fall? Dallas, Texas, is a growing city I moved from 23 Dray Lane, Yuma, Arizona, last fall.

Rule 11:

dates

Use a comma after a month and year or day and year In a date.

February, 1980

Jan. 1, 1900

  Use a comma after the day of the week If the day appears with the date.

  Monday, August 3                                                                               Friday, Nov. 7, 1999

  If the month and year, or day and year, appear In a sentence, also place a comma after the year.

  On June 22, 1898, her grandparents were married.

Rule 12:

direct quotations

Use a comma at the end of most direct quotations.

  "I would like a hamburger," Gloria said.

  If the person who Is making the statement Is given first, place a comma after the person's name + the verb that follows It.

  Gloria said, "I would like a hamburger.*

  In a split quotation, place a comma after the first part of the quotation and also after the person + the verb ( verb + person).

  "I agree," replied Mark, "that this rocket is ready"

COMMA

Rule 13:

title following    a name

Use a comma to set off a title following a name.

Gloria Kole, D.D.S., is opening a new office.

Linn Holter, R.N., works at Friedland Hospital.

Rule 14:

Invert a name

Use a comma to Invert a name.

Dickinson, Emily is a famous poet.

His name appeared alphabetically as Sween, Guy.

Rule 15:

dependent clause

Use a comma after a dependent clause at the beginning of a sentence.*

  After we ate lunch, we went to a movie.

 (Dependent Clause), (Independent Clause)

If I could be there, I would be delighted.

 (Dependent Clause) (independent Clause)

  If the dependent clause is at the end of a sentence, no comma Is needed.

We went to a movie after we ate lunch.

I would be delighted if I could be there.

Rule 16:

compound sentence

Use a comma before the conjunction that joins two independent clauses (compound sentence).

  Our outing was fun, but we were glad to return.

(Independent clause)              (independent clause)

Dad cooked dinner, and I set the table.

(Independent clause)              (Independent clause)

Rule 17:

prepositional phrases

Use a comma after two Introductory prepositional phrases or after a long prepositional phrase when a subject follows it.

  In the middle of the night Frank boarded a plane for Japan.

During the long intermission, everyone chatted.

Rule 18:

participial phrase

Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase.

  Jumping on the bed the toddler giggled with delight.

Torn into shred the red handkerchief hung limply from the bush.

Rule 19:

adjectives in apposition

Use a comma to set off adjectives In apposition.

  Bright and shiny the gem sparkled in the light.

The gem, bright and shiny, sparkled in the light.