Comma Review-LCCHS

*Use commas to separate items in a series.

We can meet at my house, on the corner, or inside the movie theater.

• NO CHANGE

• We can meet at my house on the corner or inside the movie theater.

• We can meet, at my house on the corner, or inside the movie theater.

• We can meet at my house on the corner, or inside the movie theater.

*Use commas to separate items in a series.

She has written books about Mozart Bach and Beethoven.

• NO CHANGE

• She has written books about Mozart Bach, and Beethoven.

• She has written books about Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven.

• She has written books, about Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven.

*Use commas to separate items in a series.

George Washington Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower were three generals who went on to become president of the United States.

• NO CHANGE

• George Washington Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight D. Eisenhower were three generals who went on to become president of the United States.

• George Washington Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight D. Eisenhower were three generals, who went on to become president of the United States.

• George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight D. Eisenhower were three generals who went on to become president of the United States.

*Use commas to separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun.

Roxanne's apartment building has long, narrow halls.

• NO CHANGE

• Roxanne's, apartment building has long, narrow halls.

• Roxanne's apartment building, has long narrow halls.

• Roxanne's, apartment building. has long narrow halls.

*Use commas to separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun.

(Do not use a comma before the final adjective preceding a noun if the adjective is though of as part of noun. For example: I'd like to live in a house with a big front yard. Do not put a comma after big. Front yard is considered as one noun. )

Have you read any books by this famous mystery writer?

• NO CHANGE

• Have you read any books by this famous, mystery writer?

• Have you, read any books, by this famous mystery writer?

• Have you read any books, by this famous mystery writer?

*Use commas to separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun.

Mark threw a long wobbly pass to the halfback.

• NO CHANGE

• Mark threw a long wobbly pass, to the halfback.

• Mark threw a long, wobbly pass to the halfback.

• Mark, threw a long wobbly pass, to the halfback.

*Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)

The speaker was late so the meeting didn't start until nine o'clock.

• The speaker, was late, so the meeting didn't start until nine o'clock.

• The speaker was late, so the meeting didn't start until nine o'clock.

• The speaker was late so the meeting didn't start, until nine o'clock.

• The speaker was late so the meeting didn't start until, nine o'clock.

*Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction. (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)

I wanted to rent the new Spike Lee movie but it wasn't available yet.

• NO CHANGE

• I wanted to rent the new Spike Lee movie, but it wasn't available yet.

• I wanted to rent the new Spike Lee movie but it wasn't available, yet.

• I wanted to rent the new, Spike Lee, movie but it wasn't available yet.

*Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction. (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)

My sister got a bachelor's degree at Tulane and a master's at Purdue.

• NO CHANGE

• My sister got a bachelor's degree at Tulane, and a master's at Purdue.

• My sister, got a bachelor's degree at Tulane, and a master's at Purdue.

• My sister, got a bachelor's degree at Tulane and a master's at Purdue.

*Use commas to set off nonessential subordinate clauses and nonessential participial phrases.

nonessential-not necessary to the basic meaning of the sentence

essential-cannot be left out without changing the basic meaning of the sentence

This postcard is from Will who lives in Ohio.

• NO CHANGE

• This postcard is from Will, who lives in Ohio.

• This postcard, is from Will who lives in Ohio.

• This postcard is from Will, who lives in, Ohio.