Comma Rules

1

100

While I was reading my mother was constantly interrupting me.

Correct: While I was reading, my mother was constantly interrupting me. Rule: Insert comma after Introductory Clauses

200

Mary is always late to school but she's the first person to arrive at a party.

Correct: Mary is always late to school, but she's the first person to arrive at a party. Rule: Run-on; Separate two independent clauses with a comma plus conjunction (FANBOYS)

300

I have lived in New York, California and Connecticut.

Correct: I have lived in New York, California, and Connecticut. Rule: Serial comma

400

Most high school students eventually read Catcher in the Rye which was written in 1953.

Correct: Most high school students eventually read Catcher in the Rye, which was written in 1953. Rule: At the end of a sentence, precede inessential clauses by a comma.

500

Marie Antoinette, a French monarch, never actually said "Let them eat cake."

Correct: Marie Antoinette, a French monarch, never actually said, "Let them eat cake." Rule: Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation.

2

100

The movie that we watched which was a sequel was godawful.

Correct: The movie that we watched, which was a sequel, was godawful. Rule: Precede inessential clauses with a comma.

200

He is the most graceful talented player I have ever seen.

Correct: He is the most graceful, talented player I have ever seen. Rule: Separate coordinate adjectives with a comma. HINT: Determine whether adjectives are coordinate by inserting "and" between them or reversing their order.

300

When I asked him if he could move his leg, he replied "I don't think so."

Correct: When I asked him if he could move his leg, he replied, "I don't think so." Rule: Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation.

400

I understand it was not your fault, all is forgiven.

Correct: I understand it was not your fault, and all is forgiven. Rule: Comma splice; Separate two independent clauses with a comma and a conjunction. (FANBOYS)

500

Well I don't blame him for I would have done the same thing.

Correct: Well, I don't blame him; I would have done the same thing. Rule: Common introductory words that should be followed by a comma.

3

100

After the show we are going to the diner.

Correct: After the show, we are going to the diner. Rule: Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.

200

We had known each other all our lives although we weren't very close.

Correct: We had known each other all our lives, although we weren't very close. Rule: Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.

300

Initially I thought he was sleeping, but he had no pulse.

Correct: Initially, I thought he was sleeping, but he had no pulse. Rule: Use commas after introductory words that come before the main clause. HINT: Adverbs at the beginning of sentences are introductory words.

400

February 22, 1983 was the worst day of my life,

Correct: February 22, 1983, was the worst day of my life. Rule: Use commas after day and year.

500

After he ran, so did I and we never looked back.

Correct: After he ran, so did I, and we never looked back. Rule: Separate independent clauses with correct punctuation (FUSED SENTENCE)

4

100

If you really think it's the right thing to do you must go with your conscience.

Correct: If you really think it's the right thing to do, you must go with your conscience. Rule: Use commas after introductory clauses and phrases.

200

Naturally I felt sorry for her when she became ill.

Correct: Naturally, I felt sorry for her when she became ill. Rule: Use commas after introductory words that come before the main clause.

300

You claim that you're fine yet you look like you're about to cry.

Correct: You claim that you're fine, yet you look like you're about to cry. Rule: Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.

400

The red, brick house on the corner was built in 1790.

Correct: The red brick house on the corner was built in 1790. Rule: Coordinate adjectives are adjectives with equal ("co"-ordinate) status in describing the noun; neither adjective is subordinate to the other. But here, it's the the brick that is red, not the house; they are not coordinate or equal, so there is no comma.

500

She wore an ivory, satin gown to the awards ceremony.

Correct: She wore an ivory satin gown to the awards ceremony. Rule: Non-coordinate adjectives are not equal in value for in describing the noun; here, the satin is ivory.

5

100

Since I was a tiny child I have been afraid of dogs.

Correct: Since I was a tiny child, I have been afraid of dogs. Rule: Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while.

200

Marie embraced her father, crying hysterically.

Correct: Marie, crying hysterically, embraced her father. Rule: Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer to the beginning or middle of the sentence.

300

We visited Santa Fe, Taos, and Albuquerque New Mexico.

Correct: We visited Santa Fe, Taos, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rule: Separate city and state with a comma.

400

Generally, I'm very shy however when I'm with my close friends I am very outgoing.

Correct: Generally, I'm very shy, however when I'm with my close friends I am very outgoing. Rule: Common introductory words that should be followed by a comma include yes, however, well.

500

The big, brown dog growled angrily.

Correct: The big brown dog growled at us angrily. Rule: No comma between non-coordinate adjectives.