comma rules

Comma RulesFind the Errors! II

Proofreading Activities

Rule 1Use commas to: Separate parts of an address.

They have lived at 4315 Hill Street Quincy Illinois since 1987.

Rule 2Use commas to: Separate parts of an address.

It happened on Monday October 18 2002 at 10 A.M.

Rule 3Use commas to: Set off a noun in direct address.

Class read Chapter Two for tomorrow.

Rule 4Use commas to: Set off

appositives (pairs of adjacent nouns that play the same grammatical role in a sentence).

Our neighbor Charles Wilson is a doctor.

Rule 5Use commas to: Separate three or more items in a series.

I ordered a hamburger fries and a soft drink.

Rule 6Use commas to: Separate a quotation from the rest of the sentence.

“I’ll help” volunteered Miguel “if you need me to.”

Rule 7Use commas to: Separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun.

I settled into my cozy soft new armchair.

Rule 8Use commas to: Separate two or

more independent clauses joined by a conjunction (and, or, but, nor, for, or yet).

We went to school early and we talked to all our friends.

Rule 9Use commas to: Set off

nonessential clauses and nonessential participial phrases.

My neighbor who loves animals works for the Animal Rescue League.

The boy running down the stairs tripped and fell.

Rule 10Use commas: After an introductory word.

Yes I’d like to see that movie.

Rule 11Use commas: After an introductory participial phrase.

Frightened by the noise the child started to cry.

Rule 12Use commas: After a series of introductory prepositional phrases.

Near the tree by the edge of the water we sat and talked.

Rule 13Use commas: After a long introductory prepositional phrase.

Up the dark winding steep circular staircase the women walked carefully.

Rule 14Use commas: After an introductory adverb clause.

After the organist finished playing the audience clapped.

Rule 15Use commas: After the salutation of a friendly letter.

Dear Susan Thank you for the lovely flowers.

Rule 16Use commas: After the closing of a letter.

Sincerely yours Steve

Rule 17Use commas: After a name followed by a title abbreviation.

My father is John Edwards Jr. and he is a lawyer.

Rule 18Use commas to: Set off parenthetical expressions.

She won not surprisingly first place in each event.

Rule 19Use commas to: Set off parts of a reference that direct the reader to the exact source.

The assignment was to read the Odyssey Book 10 pages 5-6.

Rule 20Use commas to: Set off a tag question.

You’ll deposit this money won’t you?

Avoid using unnecessary commas!

Complete Find the Errors! II – Lessons 3 and 4