Comma Rules and Errors

Comma Rules and Errors 7 Comma Rules There are 7 essential comma rules to learn. Learn when to use them, when not to use them, and how to avoid comma errors. 7 Comma Rules Learn the rules for using commas Comma Rule #1:Use a comma after the penultimate item in a list of three or more items, before and or or (e.g. an Italian painter, sculptor, and architect). INCORRECT: Da Vinci was an Italian painter, sculptor and architect.CORRECT: Da Vinci was an Italian painter, sculptor, and architect. Comma Rule #2:Use a comma to separate a prepositional phrase from the main sentence. INCORRECT: In my office everyone has their own little cubicle.CORRECT: In my office, everyone has their own little cubicle.Prepositions: in, at, on, to, by, for, etc. Comma Rule #3:Use a comma to separate an adverb from the main sentence. INCORRECT: Suddenly a chill went down my spine.CORRECT: Suddenly, a chill went down my spine.Adverbs: suddenly, all of a sudden, silently, quickly, angrily, fortunately, unluckily, etc. Comma Rule #4:Use a comma after time clauses that introduce sentences. INCORRECT: After I got home I went straight to bed.CORRECT: After I got home, I went straight to bed.Time clauses: After I got home, when I saw her, once I realized the time, etc. Comma Rule #5:Use a comma after introductory phrases. INCORRECT: In the morning I go for a jog.CORRECT: In the morning, I go for a jog. Comma Rule #6: Isolate interruptions with commas. INCORRECT: It would in turn lead to better health for people living in cities.CORRECT: It would, in turn, lead to better health for people living in cities. Comma Rule #7:Use a comma to separate two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. INCORRECT: The people on the boat were laughing and the people on the beach were watching. (Run-on sentence error)CORRECT: The people on the boat were laughing, and the people on the beach were watching.Conjunctions: and, but, or, so. BE CAREFUL: Dont put a comma before an and + verb without a subject. INCORRECT: The people on the boat laughed, and sang.CORRECT: The people on the boat laughed and sang. Comma Rule #8: Do not join two sentences with a comma. This is called a comma splice. INCORRECT: It was getting late, I was starting to panic.CORRECT: It was getting late, and I was starting to panic.CORRECT: It was getting late. I was starting to panic. Comma Practice Exercises Find comma splice errors Correct comma splice errors Missing comma before introductory phrase error correction exercise Comma error find. Comma error correction practice. Please follow and like us: