Comma Rule #1 Use commas in compound sentences



Comma Rule #1 Use commas in compound sentences.

NOTE: An independent clause has its own subject and verb, and it expresses a complete thought.

NOTE: The best way to decide if a comma is needed is to find the coordinating conjunction in the sentence first. Then, ask yourself if the clauses on both sides of that conjunction are independent. If they are, you need a comma. If they are not, you do not use a comma.

Ex: Mary cleared the table, and Mike did the dishes.

Ex: Mary cleared the table and did the dishes.

Coordinating conjunctions:

Exercise A: Add commas where needed.

1. It is important to know first aid for an accident can happen at any time.

2. More than 83,000 people in the United States die in accidents each year and many millions are injured.

3. Many household products can cause illness or even death yet these products are often stored where

small children can reach them.

4. Biking accidents are common wherever cars and bicycles use the same road so bicycle lanes are

provided in many communities.

5. Car accidents are the leading cause of childhood fatalities but seat belts have saved many lives.

6. Everyone should know what to do in case of fire and different escape routes should be tested

beforehand.

7. To escape a fire, stay close to the floor, and be very cautious about opening doors.

8. Hold your breath and keep low and protected behind a door when opening it for a blast of super-heated

air from an adjoining room or hallway can be fatal.

9. An injured person should not be allowed to get up nor should liquid be given to an unconscious victim.

10. Always have someone with you when you swim or you may find yourself without help when you

need it.

Exercise B

1. Rick studied for the test but he still did not get a good grade.

2. Sally studied hard for the test and got a good grade.

3. David likes to talk in class and tell us odd facts.

4. Megan is athletic yet she does not play any sports.

5. Percy was angry with Sue so he hung up on her.

6. David Ortiz is the best hitter in baseball but he is not good on defense.

7. I really love English but I hate math.

8. Pam loves English and hates math.

9. Manny was tired but he stayed up until 2:00 to study.

10. Seth was discouraged at practice and decided to quit the team.

11. Adam read the book but he like the movie better.

12. I really admire Janet for she is kind and generous to those in need.

13. Gina loved Jason but she loved Billy more.

14. Jill Amy and Meg play soccer and they belong to the drama club too.

15. Would you like chicken or beef?

16. Would you like me to make dinner or would you rather order in?

17. Would you like me to make chicken or would you rather have beef?

18. The marking period is almost over yet it feels as though school has just begun.

19. I am grateful to Maria for her donations and her willingness to help.

20. Bert tried to study but Ernie was too much of a distraction.

Comma Rule #2 ( Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clause.

A. Use a comma after introductory words, nouns of direct address, common expressions, introductory adverbs.

Ex: Yes, I would love to go with you.

Ex. Mom, please stop asking me the same questions.

Ex. Of course, you can choose to buy whatever you want.

Ex. Obviously, the little girl had tried. Hurriedly, she hid the present she had wrapped.

B. Use a comma after participial phrases

Ex: Running in the dark, June tripped and broke her leg.

Ex: Tired from her workout, Liz went to bed at 7:00.

C. Use a comma after prepositional phrases.

Ex: Before leaving the dance, Robin kissed Brett.

Ex: By the end of the flight, everyone was sleeping.

Ex: After several cancellations, the students did not want to go back to school.

Exercise C: Add commas where necessary.

1. Bored with the slow pace of the soccer game the girls left to go to the dance.

2. No I don’t believe you should do that.

3. Inside the front door the thief stood in hiding.

4. Running as fast as she could Tracy crossed the finish line first.

5. Well I don’t know if I can go yet but I will call you later.

6. Although Tina was lazy she still did all of her homework.

7. Beneath the bed my tired old dog snored loudly.

8. Ignored by the other kids Sally played by herself.

9. Assuming that nobody was watching Billy stole the candy.

10. Yes I know how to use commas with introductory elements.

11. Although there was a great deal of poverty in China the ruling classes lived in splendor.

12. Valuing cleanliness Chinese rulers took baths every day.

13. Instead of using coins the Chinese used paper money.

14. After marrying a Chinese woman lived in her mother-in-law’s mone.

15. After one Chinese emperor had died he was buried with more than eight thousand statues of servants

and horses.

16. Respected by their descendants elderly people were highly honored.

17. Built around 200 B.C. the main part of the Great Wall is about four thousand miles long.

18. Until modern freeways were built the Great Wall was the world’s longest construction.

19. In Chinese art people are very small and are usually shown in harmony with nature.

20. Yes Chinese culture is interesting and worth studying.

COMMA RULE # 3 Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and nonessential participial

phrases.

NOTE: A nonessential clause or participial phrase adds information that is not necessary to the main idea in the sentence. It can be taken out of the sentence, and the sentence will still make sense.

EX: Eileen Murray, who is at the top of her class, wants to go to medical school.

EX: Texas, which has the most farms in the country, produces one fourth of our oil.

EX: Tim Richardo, hoping to make the swim team, practiced every day.

EX: The Lord of the Rings, written by J.R.R. Tolkien, has been translated into many languages.

NOTE: When a clause or phrase is necessary to the sentence, commas are not needed.

EX: All students whose names are one that list must report to Mrs. Washington this afternoon.

Exercise D

Add or cross out commas where necessary.

1. “Doonesbury” which is my favorite comic strip makes me think as well as laugh.

2. Our math teacher who also teaches gym will leave at the end of the year.

3. The amusement rides that are the most exciting may be the most dangerous.

4. Many of the first settlements in California were founded by Father Junipero Serra who liked to take

long walks between them.

5. People, who carry credit cards, should keep a record of their account numbers at home.

6. Amy Kwan who is class president plans to go to Yale.

7. A town like Cottonwood which has a population of five thousand seems ideal to me.

8. All dogs that pass the obedience test get a reward.

9. Have you tried this cake which my mother made from an old recipe?

10. “The Gift of the Magi” is a beautiful story, in which the two main characters who are deeply in love,

make sacrifices in order to buy gifts.

Comma Rule #4 Use commas to separate items in a series.

Ex: Jim bought eggs, milk, and juice.

Ex: Tom’s mother made him clean his room, rake the yard, vacuum, and wash the

car.

BUT: If the items are separated by the word “and,” commas are not needed.

Ex: I want pizza or grilled cheese or a hoagie.

Ex: I met Amy and Julie and Matt.

Exercise E: Add the necessary commas.

1. When my house was robbed, they stole my television computer ipod and jewelry.

2. Sheri broke her arm her wrist and three fingers when she fell down the steps.

3. Shakespeare’s most commonly read plays are Romeo & Juliet Hamlet Macbeth and Julius Caesar.

4. School was cancelled Monday Tuesday and Wednesday.

5. Frankie ate hotdogs and french fries and ice cream.

6. Roy likes chocolate strawberry and carmel ice cream, but he hates mint chocolate chip and vanilla and

peanut butter.

7. Amy and Tina went to the game, but Stacy Leah and Megan stayed home.

8. New York Pennsylvania and New Jersey make up the tri-state area.

9. I don’t know Timmy or Ryan or Sue.

10. Can you buy me paper pens and pencils?

Comma Rule #5 Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun.

Ex: We have crowded, noisy hallways.

Ex: I like to hike on cool, breezy, shady days.

BUT: Do not use a comma if the adjectives cannot be reversed.

Ex: I study in our small dining room.

Ex: Can I have some cool, refreshing orange juice?

Exercise F: Add the necessary commas.

1. The tall gloomy skyscrapers blocked out the sun.

2. The slimy green hotdogs were inedible.

3. The heavy iron frying pan fell on my foot.

4. The old man stumbled slowly across the crowded busy street.

5. I want to buy a new yellow car.

6. The old rickety sewing machine made a loud racket when turned on.

7. The clear blue water in the pool looked refreshing on the hot muggy day.

8. I like to eat burnt crispy toast, my sister likes jelly butter or peanut butter on her toast, and my father

likes sweet sugary French toast.

Comma Rule #6 Use commas near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinated elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift

Ex: He was merely ignorant, not stupid.

Ex: You’re an honors student, aren’t you?

Exercise G: Add the necessary commas.

1. The dog seemed almost alive almost human.

2. The young lady was so innocent even gullible.

3. You have my cell phone number right?

4. I don’t like that attitude not even a little bit.

5. She was admonishing not demanding.

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