Comma Rules

Comma Rules

Four Comma Rules

• Items in a Series

• Two + adjectives before a noun

• FANBOYS

• Intro. Element

• Interrupters

1. Items in a Series

Students, teachers, parents, and visitors attended the picnic.

Multiple Choice

Fix the sentence:

I love dogs, cats, horses.

• I love dogs, cats and horses.

• I love dogs, cats, and horses.

• I love dogs, cats, horses.

2. Two + adjectives before a noun

a. That is a rough, narrow road. (it is a rough AND narrow road)

b. DON’T USE HERE - Her pale yellow dress (not a pale AND yellow dress)

c. HINT - If you can substitute the word AND for the comma, use one.

Multiple Choice

Fix the sentence:

It was a long difficult test.

• It was a long and difficult test.

• It was a long difficult test.

• It was a long, difficult test.

3. FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)

a. I tried my hardest to succeed, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

b. I tried my hardest to succeed and still made a C on the test.

c. COMPLETE sentence on both sides of the comma.

Multiple Choice

Fix the sentence:

I study every night for hours but I can't seem to succeed on math tests.

• I study every night for hours, but I can't seem to succeed on math tests.

• I study every night for hours but I can't seem to succeed on math tests.

4. Intro element

a. After the prom, my date fell asleep.

b. Yes, I want to go too.

c. Leaving for the game, she waved goodbye.

Multiple Choice

Fix the sentence:

After the long school day I took a nap.

• After the long school day I took a nap.

• After the long school day, I took a nap.

5. Interruptors (words, phrases that interrupt the flow of the sentence and can be removed)

a. Ella Riley, who likes animals, wants to be a vet.

b. I want to go to college, of course, but I haven’t taken the ACT.

c. Please clean your room, John, because we’re having company.

d. HINT - If you take out the interrupter, you still have a complete sentence.

Multiple Choice

Fix the sentence:

My sister who is a doctor says to wear your mask.

• My sister, who is a doctor, says to wear your mask.

• My sister who is a doctor says to wear your mask.