10 Comma Rules

Comma Rule 1-- LISTS: Use commas to separate items in a series of three or more items.

Comma Rule 2--COORDINATE ADJECTIVES: Use a comma to separate two or more coordinating adjectives that describe the same noun.

Comma Rule 3--INDEPENDENT CLAUSES WITH CONJUNCTIONS: Use a comma when two independent clauses are combined with coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS).

Comma Rule 4--INTERRUPTERS: Use commas before and after interrupters and nonessential clauses such as appositives, interjections, participial phrases, or other groups of words that can be removed without changing the basic meaning of the sentence.

Comma Rule 5--INTRODUCTORY ELEMENTS: Use a comma after a transition or introductory element when it comes at the beginning of a sentence. When a sentence begins with a subordinating conjunction, an adverbial phrase (a phrase that tells when, where, why or how), or a prepositional phrase, use a comma after the phrase.

Comma Rule 6--TIMES AND PLACES: Use a comma between the day of the week and the month, between the day of the month and the year, and between the city and state or country.

Comma Rule 7--LETTERS: Use a comma after the opening of a friendly letter, but use a colon after the opening of a formal or business letter. Use a comma after the closing of any kind of letter.

Comma Rule 8--NAME SUFFIXES: Use a comma after a name followed by Jr., Sr., Ph.D., etc.

Comma Rule 9--QUOTATIONS: Use a comma to separate a speaker from the words he/she says when there are quotation marks. Do not use a comma in the place of an exclamation point or question mark.

Comma Rule 10--ADDRESSING PEOPLE: Use a comma before and/or after someone’s name when you are speaking to him or her.