COMMA RULES !!

RULE 1:
Items in a Series
Use a comma with 3 or more items
(series) joined with “and” or “or”. (IS)

 The adults talked, laughed,

took photographs, and
shared memories.
EXCEPTION!
NO Comma if…

Do NOT use a comma if you have a

compound subject, verb or any other
compound part.

• He went to tennis practice and finished

his homework before 9 PM.
 RULE 1:
Adjectives in a Series
Use a comma with two or more adjectives
that are together without any conjunction
and only if they can be reversed or “and” put
between them. (IS)
 The gray, darkening sky caused me
to hurry home.

If one of the words modifies another,

do not separate them with a comma.
Example: I study in our small dining room.
Dining room is considered as one part of speech.
RULE 2:
FANBOYS
Use a comma before FANBOYS (For,
And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) when they join
independent clauses. (CS)
 Hector pressed the button, and the engine
started up.
RULE 3:
Introductory Words
Use a comma after an introductory
word or phrase. (Intro W)

 Ah, nothing tastes as good as

cold lemonade on a hot day!
 3a: Introductory Phrases
 Participial Phrase:
 Switching on a flashlight, the ranger led
 the way down the path.
 Adverb Infinitive Phrase:
 To get to the park, turn left at the next corner.
 Multiple Prepositional Phrases:
 By the end of the train ride, the children were
 exhausted.
 Long Prepositional Phrase:
 Inside the green gate, she built a shed.
RULE 3b:
Introductory Adverb Clause

Use a comma with an introductory

adverb clause. (DC,IC)

 When you see smoke, you know there is a

fire.
RULE 3c:
Introduction:
Use a comma for direct address (DA)

 Mr. Young, would you

please explain the
definition again?
RULE 3d:
Introductory phrase:
Nevertheless,
you must do all
of your homework.
RULE 4:
INTERRUPTIONS/
INTERJECTIONS:
Use a comma/commas to set off
interruptions or sentence
interjections.

 Griffins, which are mythological

beasts, are seen on many coat
of arms.
 RULE 4a:
Interrupters
Use commas to set off nonessential
appositives and nonessential
appositive phrases. (APP)

 Their new parrot, Mina, is very gentle.

 He loved her, that cute redhead, more than

anyone else in class.
RULE 4b:
Interrupters
Use a comma to set off parenthetical
expressions. (Inter W/P)

My essay, according to my

English teacher, is the best in
the class.
RULE 5:
Conventional Situations
Use commas with dates and addresses.
(CONV)

 On December 5, 1984, their address became

25 Peralta Road, Oakland, CA 94611.
 Please send this letter to Ms. Marybeth
Correio, 1255 S.E. 56th Street, Belleview, Wa.
98006.