Online+grammar+workshops+7-Punctuation

Rule 1
To avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more.
 * Example:**

//My $10////million// //estate is to be split among my husband, daughter, son, and nephew.//

Omitting the comma after //son// would indicate that the son and nephew would have to split one-third of the estate.

Rule 2
Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the word //and// can be inserted between them.
 * Examples:**

//He is a strong, healthy man.//

//We stayed at an expensive summer resort.// You would not say //expensive and summer resort//, so no comma.

Rule 3
Use a comma when an //-ly// adjective is used with other adjectives.
 * NOTE:** To test whether an //-ly// word is an adjective, see if it can be used alone with the noun. If it can, use the comma.
 * Examples:**

//Felix was a lonely, young boy.//

//I get headaches in brightly lit rooms.////Brightly// is not an adjective because it cannot be used alone with //rooms//; therefore, no comma is used between //brightly// and //lit//.

Rule 4
Use commas before or surrounding the name or title of a person directly addressed.
 * Examples:**

//Will you, Aisha, do that assignment for me?//

//Yes, Doctor, I will.// NOTE: Capitalize a title when directly addressing someone.

Rule 5a
Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year and after the year.
 * Example:**

//Kathleen met her husband on December 5, 2003, in Mill Valley, California.//

Rule 5b
If any part of the date is omitted, leave out the comma.
 * Example:**

//They met in December 2003 in Mill Valley.//

Rule 6
Use a comma to separate the city from the state and after the state in a document. If you use the two-letter capitalized form of a state in a document, you do not need a comma after the state.
 * NOTE:** With addresses on envelopes mailed via the post office, do not use any punctuation.
 * //Examples://**

//I lived in San Francisco, California, for 20 years.//

//I lived in San Francisco, CA for 20 years.//

Rule 7
Use commas to surround degrees or titles used with names. Commas are no longer required around //Jr.// and //Sr.// Commas never set off //II, III,// and so forth.
 * Example:**

//Al Mooney, M.D., knew Sam Sunny Jr. and Charles Starr III.//

Rule 8
Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt sentence flow.
 * Example:**

//I am, as you have probably noticed, very nervous about this.//

Rule 9
When starting a sentence with a weak clause, use a comma after it. Conversely, do not use a comma when the sentence starts with a strong clause followed by a weak clause.
 * Examples:**

//If you are not sure about this, let me know now.//

//Let me know now if you are not sure about this.//

Rule 10
Use a comma after phrases of more than three words that begin a sentence. If the phrase has fewer than three words, the comma is optional.
 * Examples:**

//To apply for this job, you must have previous experience.//

//On February 14 many couples give each other candy or flowers.//


 * OR**

//On February 14, many couples give each other candy or flowers.//

Rule 11
If something or someone is sufficiently identified, the description following it is considered nonessential and should be surrounded by commas.
 * Examples:**

//Freddy, who has a limp, was in an auto accident.////Freddy// is named, so the description is not essential.

//The boy who has a limp was in an auto accident.// We do not know which boy is being referred to without further description; therefore, no commas are used.

Rule 12
Use a comma to separate two strong clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction--//and, or, but, for, nor//. You can omit the comma if the clauses are both short.
 * Examples:**

//I have painted the entire house, but he is still working on sanding the doors.////I paint and he writes.//

Rule 13
Use the comma to separate two sentences if it will help avoid confusion.
 * Examples:**

//I chose the colors red and green, and blue was his first choice.//

Rule 14
A **comma splice** is an error caused by joining two strong clauses with only a comma instead of separating the clauses with a conjunction, a semicolon, or a period. A **run-on sentence**, which is incorrect, is created by joining two strong clauses without any punctuation.
 * Incorrect:**

//Time flies when we are having fun, we are always having fun.// (Comma splice)

//Time flies when we are having fun we are always having fun.// (Run-on sentence)
 * Correct:**

//Time flies when we are having fun; we are always having fun.//


 * OR**

//Time flies when we are having fun, and we are always having fun.// (Comma is optional because both strong clauses are short.)


 * OR**

//Time flies when we are having fun. We are always having fun.//

Rule 15
If the subject does not appear in front of the second verb, do not use a comma.
 * Example:**

__//He//__ //__thought__ quickly but still __did__ not __answer__ correctly.//

Rule 16
Use commas to introduce or interrupt direct quotations shorter than three lines.
 * Examples:**

//He actually said, "I do not care."//

//"Why," I asked, "do you always forget to do it?"//

Rule 17
Use a comma to separate a statement from a question.
 * Example:**

//I can go, can't I?//

Rule 18
Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence.
 * Example:**

//That is my money, not yours.//

Rule 19
Use a comma when beginning sentences with introductory words such as //well//, //now//, or //yes//.
 * Examples:**

//Yes, I do need that report.//

//Well, I never thought I'd live to see the day…//

Rule 20
Use commas surrounding words such as //therefore// and //however// when they are used as interrupters.
 * Examples:**

//I would, therefore, like a response.//

//I would be happy, however, to volunteer for the Red Cross.//

Rule 21
Use either a comma or a semicolon before introductory words such as //namely, that is, i.e., for example, e.g.,// or //for instance// when they are followed by a series of items. Use a comma after the introductory word.
 * Examples:**

//You may be required to bring many items, e.g., sleeping bags, pans, and warm clothing.//


 * OR**

//You may be required to bring many items; e.g., sleeping bags, pans, and warm clothing.//
 * NOTE:** //i.e.// means //that is;// //e.g.// means //for example//

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