How to use commas

1. Comma Rules

2. **Serial Comma
Rule: Use commas to separate items in
a list of three or more items.
• I wanted pizza, pop, celery, and
apples for dinner.
• Your jobs this weekend include
scrubbing the bathroom, grooming
the cat, and trimming the roses.

3. **Joining Comma
Rule: Use a comma before a coordinating
conjunction when joining two independent
clauses (complete sentences).
Coordinating conjunctions: and or for nor so but yet
• I want to buy a new computer, but I don’t
have enough money.
• The computer I want will cost $1200, so I
have to wait for a year.

4. **Intro Comma
Rule: When you have an introductory phrase
or a dependent clause, a comma must be
placed before the main sentence.
• When my tax refund comes, I may buy a
computer.
• Because of the rain, I did not go on a
picnic today.
• After the rain, I will go on a picnic.
• Well, I don’t know.

5. **Interrupting Comma
Rule: Use commas to separate any word or
phrase that interrupts the main sentence.
• My sister, a dog lover, lives in Toledo.
• I am ready for a change of pace, maybe
on a beach somewhere warm, from my
daily life and chores.

6. ** Quote Comma
Rule: Use commas to separate the exact
words someone said or wrote from the
rest of the sentence.
• “Oh my stars,” Aunt Rose said, “we
must not tease the rabid dogs.”
• The surprised man exclaimed, “Wow,
that space alien was friendly!”

7. **Adjective Comma
Rule: Use a comma to separate two equal
adjectives.
• The tall, loud child was scolded by his
teacher. (Note: you could say “tall and loud,” so
those are equal adjectives)
• The dark green coat needs washed.
(Note: it doesn’t make sense to say “dark and
green,” so those are not equal and a comma is not
used)

8. **Standard Commas
Rule: Use commas in dates & addresses
• She lived in Lima, Ohio, for all of her
life.
• She was born April 1, 1966, in a
small town.
• My school address is 1 Spartan Way,
Lima, Ohio.

9. ** Comma Warning
Rule: Do NOT use a comma simply
because you pause when reading the
sentence. You should be able to explain
how the comma follows one of the
previous rules.

10. ** Examples of Sentences that do
NOT need commas
• The boy ran very quickly when he was
being chased by the big dog.
• The tall clown from the circus was
followed through the town by the
mustached woman and the trapeze artist.
• Learning commas should be easy because
you have these rules to follow.