Introduction to Name:___________________________
Using Commas
A comma (,) tells the reader to pause for just a
moment, but is not a complete stop. There are many
different situations for which a comma is needed. Let’s look at the rules for using commas:
When to Use Commas:
1. Use a comma to separate a list of three or more items in a series. He likes to run, jump, and play.
2. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction to connect two independent clauses.
She was hungry, yet nothing sounded good to eat.
3. Use a comma to separate a dependent clause from an independent clause at the
beginning of a sentence. Due to unexpected rain, they were not able to play baseball.
4. Use a comma to separate additional information that could be removed from a sentence without
changing its meaning. Joseph, the boy in the red shirt, was working on his homework.
5. Use a comma to separate adjectives next to each other if they would otherwise need an “and” or a
“but” between them. He was a tall, dark, and handsome man.
6. Use a comma to separate a direct quote from information that introduces or explains the quote.
The teacher said, “Please don’t forget to put you names on your papers.”
7. Use a comma to separate contrasting phrases in a sentence.
He was interested in her money, not her good looks.
8. Use a comma to show a pause if the sentence would be confusing without one.
Inside, the boxes were stacked all around.
9. Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year when writing a date. May 25, 1945.
10. Use a comma to separate the name of a city and its state or country. Albany, New York
11. Use a comma to show place value periods when writing numbers. 1,238,900
12. Use a comma to separate a name and a suffix (like Jr., or PhD). Edward Ronald Scott, Jr.
Use the rules above to add commas to the sentences below.
Rule 1: The frustrating boy hit kicked and teased the little girls on the playground.
Rule 2: We can vacation on the beach or we can go to the mountains.
Rule 3: While the music played the students danced together.
Rule 4: Mrs. Johnson the new teacher used to work in New York.
Rule 5: He was a bright curious and friendly boy.
Rule 6: “I would like to go to the movies ” replied Andrew.
Rule 7: The kitten was cute but its fur made her sneeze.
Rule 8: The furniture next to the porch looked old.
Rule 9: The store opened on August 20 2010.
Rule 10: Our family lives in Atlanta Georgia.
Rule 11: The current population of the city is 1 843 723.
Rule 12: The guest speaker at the conference was Sylvia Pritchard PhD.
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Introduction to Key
Name:___________________________
Using Commas
A comma (,) tells the reader to pause for just a
moment, but is not a complete stop. There are many
different situations for which a comma is needed. Let’s look at the rules for using commas:
When to Use Commas:
1. Use a comma to separate a list of three or more items in a series. He likes to run, jump, and play.
2. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction to connect two independent clauses.
She was hungry, yet nothing sounded good to eat.
3. Use a comma to separate a dependent clause from an independent clause at the
beginning of a sentence. Due to unexpected rain, they were not able to play baseball.
4. Use a comma to separate additional information that could be removed from a sentence without
changing its meaning. Joseph, the boy in the red shirt, was working on his homework.
5. Use a comma to separate adjectives next to each other if they would otherwise need an “and” or a
“but” between them. He was a tall, dark, and handsome man.
6. Use a comma to separate a direct quote from information that introduces or explains the quote.
The teacher said, “Please don’t forget to put you names on your papers.”
7. Use a comma to separate contrasting phrases in a sentence.
He was interested in her money, not her good looks.
8. Use a comma to show a pause if the sentence would be confusing without one.
Inside, the boxes were stacked all around.
9. Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year when writing a date. May 25, 1945.
10. Use a comma to separate the name of a city and its state or country. Albany, New York
11. Use a comma to show place value periods when writing numbers. 1,238,900
12. Use a comma to separate a name and a suffix (like Jr., or PhD). Edward Ronald Scott, Jr.
Use the rules above to add commas to the sentences below.
Rule 1: The frustrating boy hit, kicked, and teased the little girls on the playground.
Rule 2: We can vacation on the beach, or we can go to the mountains.
Rule 3: While the music played, the students danced together.
Rule 4: Mrs. Johnson, the new teacher, used to work in New York.
Rule 5: He was a bright, curious, and friendly boy.
Rule 6: “I would like to go to the movies, ” replied Andrew.
Rule 7: The kitten was cute, but its fur made her sneeze.
Rule 8: The furniture, next to the porch, looked old.
Rule 9: The store opened on August 20, 2010.
Rule 10: Our family lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Rule 11: The current population of the city is 1, 843,723.
Rule 12: The guest speaker at the conference was Sylvia Pritchard, PhD.
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