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Comma Rules. Rule #1 Use commas to separate items in a series Ex. The camp counselor distributed baseballs, bats, volleyballs, tennis rackets, and t-shirts. We will have a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Rule #2. Independent Clauses
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Comma Rules Rule #1 Use commas to separate items in a series • Ex. The camp counselor distributed baseballs, bats, volleyballs, tennis rackets, and t-shirts. • We will have a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Rule #2 Independent Clauses • Use a comma before for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so (FAN-BOYS) when they join independent clauses. Ex. Patrick brought the sandwiches, and Cindy brought the salad.
Rule #3 Nonessential Clauses (& Phrases) • Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and nonessential participial phrases Ex. Miko, who lives across the street from me, won a scholarship to UCLA.
Rule #4 Introductory Elements: use a comma after certain introductory elements Ex. Calling for a timeout, the referee blew his whistle. Ex. No, I haven’t taken the exam yet. Ex. By the moon’s light, I saw the secret entrance.
Rule #5 Interrupters: Use commas to set off elements that interrupt Ex. Sarah Palin, a politician from Alaska, was John McCain’s running mate. Ex. You are, I hope, planning to be on time.
Rule #6 Conventional Settings • Use commas to separate items in dates and addresses (On Saturday, June 21, ) • After the salutation/closing of a letter (Ex. (1) Dear Megan, (2) Sincerely,) • Use commas to set off a name that has an abbreviation (Ex. Dr., Jr., M.D.,) E.g. Ken Griffey, Jr., could have broken Maris’ record.
Rule #7 Unnecessary Commas Do not use unnecessary commas! This can be just as confusing as not having enough commas: On Friday, after school, my friend, Rita, and I played badminton at the house until her dog, Ruffles, a frisky, golden retriever got hit by a moving truck.
Rule #8 • Use commas in between adjectives that describe the same word. Example: It was a beautiful, sunny, warm day. OR It was a beautiful, sunny, and warm day.
Rule #9 • AVOID comma splices • A comma splice is a sentence in which two independent clauses are joined by a comma with no conjunction. • Use one of the following four techniques to correct a comma splice: • Change the comma to a semicolon. • Write the two clauses as separate sentences. • Insert a coordinating conjunction following the comma. • Make one clause dependent on the other.
Rule #9, cont’d • Comma Splice: • Kristy forgot to set her alarm, she woke up forty minutes late. Let’s fix the comma splice! • Change the comma to a semicolon: • Write the two clauses as separate sentences: • Insert a coordinating conjunction following the comma: • Make one clause dependent on the other: