Common Comma Rules

Common Comma Rules

By johanna Leal V.

Rule #1

•Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.

•Example: My brother has curly hair, green eyes, and a silly laugh.

English

Punctuation

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct punctuated idea:

• Dave and Maria share hobbies such as photography, choir, and soccer.

• Dave and Maria share hobbies such as photography choir and soccer.

• Dave and Maria share hobbies such as photography, choir and soccer.

• Dave, and Maria share hobbies such as photography choir and soccer,

Rule #2

•Use commas to separate independent ideas when they are joined by any of the coordinating conjunctions.

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​•I really don’t want to do my homework, but I want to pass my classes.

• I could come pick you up, or I could meet you there.

•He went to see The Fault in Our Stars, and he cried the entire time.

I didn’t feel the greatest, so I ended up staying at home

English

Punctuation

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct punctuated idea:

• I would like to go to Sam’s party on Friday but I have to work on my paper for Monday.

• I would like to go to Sam’s party on Friday , but I have to work on my paper, for Monday.

• I would like to go to Sam’s party on Friday , but I have to work on my paper for Monday.

• I would like to go to Sam’s party on Friday but I have to work on my paper, for Monday.

Rule #3

•Use commas after introductory phrases, clauses, or words that come before the main clause.

​

•Example: After waiting in line for hours, they told us that the ride was closed because it had broken down.

English

Punctuation

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct punctuated idea:

• Last Monday, I went to travel with my family.

• Last Monday I went to travel with my family.

• Last, Monday, I went to travel with my family.

• Last Monday, I went to travel with my family

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct punctuated idea:

• To sing the national anthem at this Friday’s game I must practice not only holding the notes, but also remembering words.

• To sing the national anthem at this Friday’s game, I must practice, not only holding the notes, but also remembering words.

• To sing the national anthem at this Friday’s game I must practice not only holding the notes but also remembering words.

• To sing the national anthem at this Friday’s game, I must practice not only holding the notes but also remembering words.

Rule #4

•Use a pair of commas in the middle of  a sentence to set off phrases that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

​

•My favorite teacher in the entire world, Ms. Norton, is hilarious.

English

Punctuation

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct punctuated idea:

• Professor Jones my history teacher dismissed the class early.

• Professor Jones, my history teacher, dismissed the class early.

• Professor Jones, my history teacher dismissed the class, early.

• Professor Jones my history teacher, dismissed the class early.

Rule #5

•Use commas to separate two or more adjectives that describe the same noun.

•Example: The loud, annoying guy should go home.

English

Punctuation

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct punctuated idea:

• Lloyd dreamed of owning a sleek shiny muscle car.

• Lloyd dreamed of owning a sleek, shiny, muscle car.

• Lloyd dreamed of owning a sleek, shiny muscle car.

• Lloyd dreamed of owning, a sleek, shiny, muscle car.

Rule #6

•Use commas to separate a direct quote from the rest of the sentence.

​

•Example: Ms. Norton asked, “Who is ready for the weekend?” “We are,” the classes responds

English

Punctuation

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct punctuated idea:

• Upon seeing the spider the guy dropped his books and shouted, “Don’t just stand there do something!”

• Upon seeing the spider the guy dropped his books and shouted “Don’t just stand there do something!”

• Upon seeing the spider the guy dropped his books and shouted “Don’t just stand there, do something!”

• Upon seeing the spider, the guy dropped his books and shouted, “Don’t just stand there, do something!”

Rule #7

•Use a comma to separate a statement from a question.

​

•Example: I can do this, can’t I?

English

Punctuation

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct punctuated idea:

• This workshop is really easy, isn't it?

• This workshop is really easy! isn't it?

• This workshop is really easy. isn't it?

• This workshop is really easy, isn't it!

Time to test your progress!

Common comma Use

Open Ended

How would you punctuate the following ideas:

Man bacon makes everything taste better.

Open Ended

How would you punctuate the following ideas:

I like cooking dogs and my family.

Open Ended

How would you punctuate the following ideas:

Time to eat kids.

Open Ended

How would you punctuate the following ideas:

Woman without her man is nothing.