Basic Comma Rules

Comma Rules: Appositives, Interrupters, & Introductory Words

Appositive Rule: A comma or a pair of commas are needed to set off an appositive from the rest of the sentence.

• Ms. Reno, the bank president, spoke about loans.

• The best student is Gregor, the boy in the back row.

• We invited Tracy, our best friend, to dinner.

• My mom, Linda, had four children in six and a half years.

Multiple Choice

Select the sentence(s) that reflect the properly punctuated Appositive comma rule:

• The girl scout leader, Mrs. Smith handed out the cookie order forms.

• Have you met Marilyn, Jones my dance instructor?

• It was not supposed to snow according to the weatherman, Todd Blank.

Multiple Select

Select the sentence(s) that reflect the properly punctuated Appositive comma rule:

• I typically purchase my salad ingredients, lettuce and green onions, at Aldi.

• Stores like, Aldi and Walmart, offer good prices on food.

• "Mamma Mia" the movie is based off an ABBA song, of the same name.

Multiple Select

Select the sentence(s) that reflect the properly punctuated Appositive comma rule:

• Please put, dinner fried chicken and green beans, on the

  table.

• The waitress poured the table's drinks of, water and soda, and then took the table's order.

• Sarah, a character in the book from the library, seemed dull.

Multiple Select

Select the sentence(s) that reflect the properly punctuated Appositive comma rule:

• I have spent many days of my life, in Williamsburg and Yorktown cities, in Virginia.

• The players' coaches, Smith and Johnson, met to plan their winning strategy.

• The tall, patriot general, George Washington, crossed the Delaware.

Introductory words: a comma is needed to set off an introductory word or phrase from the rest of the sentence.

• Well, I guess I changed my mind about you.

• No ma'am, I did not see the stoplight turn red.

• Yes, this outfit is new.

Multiple Select

Select the sentence(s) that reflect the properly punctuated Introductory comma rule:

• Finally we have, a solution to the problem.

• Well, maybe we can end up meeting you there.

• Okay, we can change the channel if you don't like this movie.

Multiple Select

Select the sentence(s) that reflect the properly punctuated Introductory comma rule:

• Yes Mom I, did pack my lunch for school today.

• However, we do not feel that missing another year of school is a good idea.

• Why I had no idea, that you were not feeling well.

Multiple Select

Select the sentence(s) that reflect the properly punctuated Introductory comma rule:

• Also, the jury finds the defendant guilty of battery.

• Thus you, will not find me ever taking a trip to Mongolia.

• Therefore my students will not be required, to memorize prepositions.

Multiple Select

Select the sentence(s) that reflect the properly punctuated Introductory comma rule:

• Similarly the point, made by the general is that decency is valued above all else.

• Particularly I, enjoyed the part about the development of a spy ring.

• Alternatively, we could travel to Virginia for spring break.

The Interrupter Rule: a pair of commas is needed to set off interrupters in a sentence.

• The answer, I think, is fifty-four.

• The calendar is, in fact, an old one.

• These playground swings, by the way, need to be repaired.

Multiple Select

Select the sentence(s) that reflect the properly punctuated Interrupter comma rule:

• You in, other words, are not welcome here.

• Most Americans generally speaking, can agree to disagree about many things without violence coming into play.

• I had many chores to do, unfortunately, before I was able to go to bed.

Multiple Select

Select the sentence(s) that reflect the properly punctuated Interrupter comma rule:

• You, by the way, have no business being in the school without a teacher present.

• The truth, of the matter if you must know is, that I am a spy.

• We need to run to the store, incidentally to purchase, more milk for breakfast tomorrow.

Multiple Select

Select the sentence(s) that reflect the properly punctuated Interrupter comma rule:

• The facts, on the other hand were not, in our favor.

• If you look at the article's images for example, you will see, how they illustrate the main point.

• There is no reason, in my opinion. to believe that everyone will agree about this.

Multiple Select

Select the sentence(s) that reflect the properly punctuated Interrupter comma rule:

• You should nevertheless, still do your homework.

• The test, of course will, be delayed.

• The point I am making, more importantly, is that we must fight for our civil rights.