Comma Rules

Comma Rules

What you need to know for the SAT

1. Transitions

• Transition words and phrases MUST BE FOLLOWED BY A COMMA

• First,

• To begin with,

• All things considered,

• However,

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses a comma correctly?

• However I wasn't home, when she called.

• However, I wasn't home when she called.

• However I, wasn't home when she called.

• However I wasn't, home when she called.

2. Non-essential appositives

• non-essential = not necessary

• Use a comma around extra information words that don’t include a verb that could be removed from a sentence without changing or losing its basic meaning:

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses comma correctly?

• My father a good doctor, took care of all my cousins.

• My father, a good doctor took, care of all my cousins.

• My father, a good doctor, took care of all my cousins.

3. Dates

• Use a comma between date (or month), year

• Saturday, July 18, 1980

• July 18, 1990

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses comma correctly?

• Monday February 22 2021

• Monday, February 22 2021

• Monday, February, 22 2021

• Monday, February 22, 2021

4. Quotes & Dialogue

• Guillermo said, "I have no idea where I put that moonstone."

• "I have no idea where I put that moonstone," Guillermo said

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses comma correctly?

• The sister told the brother “Of course I will pick you up.” "Thank you" he responded.

• The sister told the brother, “Of course I will pick you up.” "Thank you" he responded.

• The sister told the brother, “Of course I will pick you up.” "Thank you," he responded.

• The sister told the brother, “Of course I will pick you up.” "Thank you" he responded.

5. City & State/ City & Country

• Use a comma between the city and the state

• Chicago, IL

• Los Angeles, CA

• New York City, New York

• Paris, France

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses comma correctly?

• The capital of the United, States is Washington D.C.

• The capital of the United States, is Washington D.C.

• The capital of the United States is Washington, D.C.

6. comma + FANBOYS

• Use a comma between two INDEPENDENT CLAUSES + FANBOY

• I watched American Idol, and Katy Perry was amazing.

• We ate pizza for lunch, so my mom made a salad for dinner.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses comma correctly?

• Paula needed a big boost of energy so, she made a fruit smoothie.

• Paula needed a big boost of energy, so she made a fruit smoothie.

• Paula needed a big boost of energy so she, made a fruit smoothie.

7. Items in a list

• Use commas to separate a list of 3 or more things (it could be a list of 99 things!)

• there needs to be a comma BEFORE the "and"/"or"

• no need for a comma if TWO items are in a list ex: water and ice

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses comma correctly?

• Jessica sings with power passion, and strength.

• Jessica sings with power, passion, and strength.

• Jessica sings with power, passion and strength.