Comma Rules
For the cake we need eggs, flour, and sugar.
To separate words, phrases, or clauses in a series.
Shawn Mendes has an amazing voice, but not many people have heard him live.
Between two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or FANBOYS.
Hannah Hughes, a smart student, works very hard for her tests.
To set off interrupters or non-essential phrases and clauses.
I always love dogs equally even golden retrievers, rat terriers, and chihuahuas; even if they growl at me from time to time.
A semicolon rather than a comma may be needed to separate independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction when the clauses contain commas.
Please make sure you have your: cleats, jersey, and helmet for your soccer game.
Use a colon before a list. Never between a verb and its object.
Phillip McGraw, Ph.D., works on TV shows.
To enclose a title, initials, or name that follow a surname.
Don't you realize, Hannah, that my costume is better than yours.
To set off direct address (vocative)
During my soccer game, there were many yellow cards.
After a long introductory prepositional phrase or 2 or more prep. phrases. May use a comma after one prep. phrase for clarity.
For my stepmom's honeymoon, she went to Paris; France, Mexico City; Mexico, Beijing; China, Barcelona; Spain.
Use a semicolon to separate items in a series when the series already has a lot of items.
I woke up at 8:34 because my alarm didn't go off.
Use a colon with time.
The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500
To set off items in an address and items in a date.
Mrs. Leach says "Maddawg" every time she greets me at the door of the science classroom.
To set off the exact words of the speaker from the rest of the sentence.
We need wheat flour, not regular flour, to bake the delicious cake
To separate contrasted elements from the sentence to show omissions.
Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter.
My favorite Bible verse is Galatians 2:20.
Use a colon between a Bible chapter and verse.
The scrumptious, yummy cake is always fresh.
To separate adjectives before a noun as long as they equally modify the noun.
Wow, that is so cool.
To separate a weak exclamation from the rest of the sentence.
The cake is almost done; it is moist and fluffy, so everyone likes it.
Use a semicolon between independent clauses in a sentence when they are not joined by one of the FANBOYS.
The teacher said the average was very low: it was 71 throughout the whole grade.
Use a colon before a statement that explains or clarifies the preceding statement.
I am reading Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief.
Use a colon between titles and subtitles.
Even though sports are hard, doing your best is always encouraged.
After an introductory adverb clause.
Someone will always be there for you, even when no one is around.
For clarity or emphasis. There will be times when traditional comma rules do not call for a comma, but one will be needed to prevent confusion or to emphasize an important idea.
My dog is always eating socks; therefore, I am always taking him to the vet.
Use a semicolon between independent clauses that are joined by a conjunctive adverb. A comma follows the conjunctive adverb.
My favorite quote is: "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go"
Use a colon before a long quote.
BONUS:
What are BOTH of our middle names?
Woodburry, Marie