Comma Rule #1: Independent Clauses
What coordinating conjunction could go after the comma in this sentence: Yesterday was her brother's birthday, _____ she took him out to dinner.
and, so
Where should commas go in the following sentence: Unfortunately I will not make it to your party.
Unfortunately, I will not make it to your party.
Where should commas go in the following sentence: The car which was blue sped down the road.
The car, which was blue, sped down the road.
Use _______ to separate items when you have a list of two or more items.
Commas
Use commas to separate two coordinating _________ that describe the same noun. Hint: the blank is a part of speech.
Adjectives.
Where should commas go in the following sentence: The student explained her question yet the instructor still didn't seem to understand.
The student explained her question, yet the instructor still didn't seem to understand.
Where should commas go in the following sentence: When the time comes we will take to the streets.
When the time comes, we will take to the streets.
Use commas to separate _________ phrases, clauses, or words.
Non-essential
Where should commas go in the following sentence: We can either complete this project quickly quietly or correctly.
We can either complete this project quickly, quietly, or correctly.
Where should commas go in the following sentence: The expansive beautiful sunset rose over the crystal waters.
The expansive, beautiful sunset rose over the crystal waters.
Where should commas go in the following sentence: The protest was successful but steps toward a solution must still be taken.
The protest was successful, but steps toward a solution must still be taken
Where should commas go in the following sentence: Because of unfair wages the union was prepared to strike.
Because of unfair wages, the union was prepared to strike.
Where should commas go in the following sentence: Every surface including his floor was mirrored.
Every surface, including his floor, was mirrored.
Where should commas go in the following sentence: I need to take out the trash wash the dishes and brush my teeth before bed.
I need to take out the trash, wash the dishes, and brush my teeth before bed.
Where should commas go in the following sentence: He was a difficult stubborn child.
He was a difficult, stubborn child.
Use commas to separate ______ clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.
Independent
Use a comma after an introductory phrases, clauses, or words that come before the ______ clause.
Main
Where should commas go in the following sentence: The other thing about Kaitlyn I guess was that it could never again feel natural to talk to her.
The other thing about Kaitlyn, I guess, was that it could never again feel natural to talk to her.
Where should commas go in the following sentence: Fred Hampton Stokely Carmichael and Angela Davis are lesser known figures of the Civil Rights Movement.
Fred Hampton, Stokely Carmichael, and Angela Davis are lesser known figures of the Civil Rights Movement.
Use commas to separate two _______ adjectives that describe the same noun.
Coordinating
What are the seven coordinating conjunctions?
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Use a comma after an introductory ______, _____, or ______ that come before the main clause.
phrases, clauses, words
Where should commas go in the following sentence: That Tuesday which happens to be my birthday is the only day I am available to meet.
That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only day I am available to meet.
What should go in the blanks in the following sentence--commas or semicolons?:
I traveled to Dallas, Texas ___ Tulsa, Oklahoma ___ and Springfield, Missouri.
Semicolons
Should there be any commas in the following sentence?: She often wore a gray wool shawl.
No, because the adjectives are non-coordinating.