COMMA RULES
By: Ali Glick, Mayeesa Rahman,
Matthew Foster, and Madhul Shah
FANBOYS
• Rule #1: Use comma before a coordinating conjuction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
when it joins two INDEPENDENT clauses.
• Let’s try it:
Mr. Kaufman slipped over a banana peel and he fell in front of the entire class.
Since “and” is a coordinating conjunction, you have to add a comma before it.
Mr. Kaufman slipped over a banana peel, and he fell in front of the entire class.
ITEMS IN A SERIES
• Rule#2: Use commas to separate items in a series (pretty selfexplanatory, right?)
• Let’s try it:
I like cooking my family and my pets.
If you don’t want to sound like a psycho, use the items in a series rule.
Add commas as appropriate between each item. In this case, add a
comma after cooking and family.
I like cooking, my family, and my pets.
SHORT INTRODUCTIONS AND DIRECT ADDRESSES TO PEOPLE
• Rule # 3: Place a comma after introductory phrases, words, or clauses in a sentence.
• Let’s try it:
Yes I failed my last comma quiz.
“Yes” is an introductory phrase, so you need to add a comma after it.
Yes, I failed my last comma quiz.
This rule is also useful when directly addressing others.
Let’s eat Grandma.
Since you are directly addressing her, add a comma before the word Grandma.
Let’s eat, Grandma.
Commas save lives.
SENTENCE INTERRUPTERS
• Rule #4: Use two commas to set off a phrase that interrupts the main sentence.
• Let’s try it:
I to be perfectly honest think there is an abundance of bald teachers in the
English department at Roslyn High School.
Since the phrase “to be perfectly honest” interrupts the main sentence and does not
change the meaning of the sentence, you have to add one comma before it and
another after.
I, to be perfectly honest, think there is an abundance of bald teachers in the
English department at Roslyn High School.
INTRODUCTORY EXPRESSIONS
• Rule #5:
1. Use a comma after an introductory participle or participle phrase.
2. Use a comma after two or more introductory prepositional phrase or after
one long introductory prepositional phrase.
3. Use a comma after an introductory adverb clause.
• Let's try it:
Most of the time travelers worry about their luggage.
As you can see, not using a comma changes the meaning of the sentence completely.
Since "most of the time" is an introductory participle, you have to add a comma right
after it.
Most of the time, travelers worry about their luggage.
INTERRUPTERS WITH NONESSENTIAL INFORMATION
• Rule#6: Use commas to set off nonessential subordinate clauses and
nonessential participial phrases.
• Let's try it:
Millicent hoping for a scholarship works hard.
Since the phrase "hoping for a scholarship" doesn't change the meaning of
the sentence, and is therefore non-essential, you should add one comma
before it and one comma after it.
Millicent, hoping for a scholarship, works hard.