Comma Use Rules and Practice
Use #1: Combine two strong clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction.
Example: School is still in session for another nine weeks, so you better try to learn all you can.
Use #2: Separate items in a series.
Example: We are going waterskiing, swimming, and snorkeling.
Use #3: Set off introductory phrases or clauses.
Example: To raise enough money in time, Mary sold all of her personal belongings.
Use #4: Set off one or more words that interrupt the flow of thought in a sentence.
Example: Justin, who lives down the street from me, is going to be at the party also.
Use #5: Separate two or more adjectives that modify the same noun, if you can substitute
the word and for the comma.
Example: She is a beautiful, intelligent girl.
Use #6: Separate two clauses if a dependent marker is used to start the sentence.
Example: If you want to get good grades, you need to do your homework.
Use #7: Set off direct quotes.
Example: Kevin said, “I’m fin to steal off you!”
Use #8: Set off introductory words.
Example: In conclusion, the 2016 Olympics should be held in Chicago.
Use #9: Set off years in full dates, titles in names, and regions.
Example: January 2nd, 1996, Bill Clinton, President of the U.S.A., paid a visit to Chicago, Illinois.
Use #10: Set off names in direct address.
Example: Would you please be quiet, Lupe?
Practice with Commas
Directions: Put commas where they belong. If a sentence does not need a comma, write CORRECT next
to that line.
1. We are having peas, carrots, roast beef, and cake for dinner.
2. Mr. Morton, my English teacher says we have to learn how to use commas.
3. He says, “Remember Bob use commas before and after you address someone directly.”
4. Kelly said, “Did you do the homework Angie?”
5. The teachers at Ericson Academy work hard to teach the students. CORRECT
6. Alex painted the fence white, blue, and green.
7. We waited at the bus stop on Central Park Avenue after school. CORRECT
8. My mom who is a nurse, cares for the sick injured and disabled
9. One famous basketball player, Michael Jordan won five MVP awards.
10. “Don’t go there” ,said Formica.
11. Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish writer of novels, poems, and essays.
12. Now Mr. Bond ,we will saw you in half.
13. Tequita said, “Stop talking to me Renisha.”
14. Chicago the largest city, in the Midwest is the home of the skyscraper blues and deep-dish pizza.
15. No Jackie, I don’t want to go with Mark.
16. Alice said, “But they keep picking on me Rudy.”
17. Emilio, my next-door neighbor,has two daughters, a son, and a puppy.
18. That Tuesday which also happens to be my birthday, is the only day we can take the
test.
19. Fred, who often cheats on his homework, is really only harming himself.
20. Brett Favre, the quarter back for the team is having a bad week.
21. Although the Beavers were expected to win, they choked on Saturday night.
22. After my friends had gone inside, I thought about what had just happened.
23. The night before I was leaving for OSU, I was so excited.
24. I felt I had made the right choice but, my sister disagreed with me.
25. As she stared at the wall, I knew something was wrong.
26. Tripping down the hallway she ran away from me in fear. CORRECT
27. I’m starting to miss the little things like my cat, my house and my sister. CORRECT
28. The only things I could find to help me were my parents and my friends. CORRECT
29. I hugged my family members, we sat together and cried.
30. My aunt was an impossible, demanding guest.
31. While the machine was printing, the paper jammed.
32. He pushed the car out of the main road, and poured a bucket of water on the hood. CORRECT
