Comma Rules ELA
Commas used to keep place value in numbers
100, 000, 000, 000 dollars
Comma and direct addresses
A noun that names a person being directly spoken to in the sentences. Ex: John, please come here now.
Commas with parenthetical expressions
A parenthetical expression is an expression which is inserted into the flow of thought. It may be in the middle of a sentence or between sentences, but it does not deal directly with the topic at hand. (of course, I think, I believe, in fact, however, therefore Ex: The teacher, of course, will be back in a few minutes. Ex: Jane, in fact, was furious. Ex: The reason, I think, is because she was late.
Commas with explanatory phrases
A phrase that explains a fact- but could be "cut out" Ex: The world's oceans, that cover 75% of our Earth, are the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic.
Commas used between cities and states
I will travel to Phoenix, Arizona, in June
Commas used after introductory words
If a sentence begins with a transition word or introductory word, use a comma. Ex: Furthermore, Suddenly, Clearly, First, Second, In addition to, However, Consequently, Therefore
Commas used with introductory subordinate/dependent clauses.
Introductory subordinate clause that have adverbs such as... after, as, although, while, when, until, unless, because, before, if, since ( need a subject/verb) EX: After we eat dinner, we will go swimming. (Subordinating conjunctions)
Commas and Adjectives out of order
Two consecutive adjectives are positioned after the noun. Ex: The car, dented and rusty, went into the parking lot
Commas to separate introductory phrases
Participial Phrase: (No subject or verb) Ex: Hoping to win the election, David gave a good speech. Ex: Prepositional Phrase: ( no subject or verb) Under the bed, the mouse slowly ate his cheese. Ex: Gerund Phrase: (no subject or verb) Thinking hard, he discovered his answer. Ex: Infinitive Phrase (no subject of verb) To win the prize, you will have to work harder.
Commas and Appositives
Phrases, usually separated by commas, that describe a noun or pronoun that precede them. Ex: Mrs. Barnhart, our English teacher, says we're intelligent.
Commas with introductory adverbs/adverbial phrases
Quickly, he ran into the dark woods. Slowly with precision, she ran into the dark woods.
Commas in a Series
Use commas to separate a series of three or more things, actions or phrases. Commas are used to separate these items so the reader can identify each intended item. Ex: I love to eat apples, oranges, and bananas (use the Oxford Comma) .
Commas used to set off equal adjectives
Used to separate two or more adjectives that equally modify the same noun. Hint: you know you need commas if you can rearrange the adjective and they sitll make sense. Ex: The funny, clever girl just left for the parking lot. The clever, funny girl just left for the parking lot.
Commas using in compound sentences.
Using the FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so to connect two independent clauses. Ex : I love cake, and I love ice cream.
Comma splice
When you put in a comma with no coordinating conjunction to be found anywhere- Ex: We went swimming, we had ice cream. ( not correct)
Commas with short words
Yes, we need to move right away. No, we need to stay right here.
Commas for interruptors
Non-essential information that can be "cut out" of the sentence and the sentence still makes sense. 1. Explanatory Phrase: a phrase that explains a fact 2. Appositive Phrase: a phrase that renames a noun or pronoun that precedes it. 3. Adjective Clause: further describes a subject or object in a sentence 4. Parenthetical Expression ( of course, I believe, I think)
Commas with adjective clauses
Non-essential information that further describes the subject or object in a sentence. Usually start with a relative pronoun ( who, whom, that or which) or adverb (when, where or why) Ex: Broccoli, which people often leave uneaten, is very nutritious. Ex: Laughter erupted from Sue, who hiccuped for seven hours afterward.
Commas used in dates
The class will end on January 25, 2016, at noon.
Oxford Comma
The comma before the and/or in a series.
Commas used in dialogue from speech tags
The teacher clearly yelled, "Do not use that chair!" "Do not use that chair," the teacher whispered.
Commas used to set off nonrestrictive phrases and clauses
These are not necessary to the sentence, begin with the word "which", and appear at the end of a sentence. Ex: I love to eat tacos, which are very nutritious.
