#1 Add a comma

They lied about the war, the economy, and their honorable

opponent.

9 items = 8 commas

7 items = 6 commas

4 items = 3 commas

Marty needs a lighting specialist, a stage manager, actors,

ushers, a set designer, dancers, singers, a theater, and an

audience.

The Institutions of the European Union include the

Parliament, the Council- Presidency, the European

Commission, the Court of Justice, the Court of

Auditors, the European Ombudsman, and the

European Data Protection Supervisor.

Weve seen hummingbirds, parrots, woodpeckers, and even owls in the backyard this year.

Now, some grammarians say its okay to leave out the last comma before the

and.

Those grammarians are usually right: it usually IS ok to leave out that last comma

before the and.

HOWEVER:

a) Its never wrong to put it in, and b) it can save you some confusion, as in the following:

We decided to serve sandwiches (salami and cheese, turkey, ham and mustard, fish and peanut butter) at the picnic.

Ask yourself: do you know what the last kind of sandwich is for sure?

Fish and peanut butter or peanut butter? Its probably peanut butter, and not fish and peanut butter, but without that last comma, its a bit confusing for the reader.

#2 Add a comma

After the show, Allison took her boyfriend out for a soda pop.

Surprisingly , parking was no problem this morning.

Every other Tuesday

If they call us again

, the Archers drive to their marriage counseling appointment in San Diego.

, were changing our number.

#3 Add a comma

We looked for him at the airport, but it was the wrong day!

They stayed in the fight it was all that mattered now.

He liked it fat

Kevin didnt go to school

I dont like fries

We better solve this thing

It was already September

It was Labor Day

did he show up at work.

she liked it lean.

I love onion rings.

there will be trouble.

it was still 109 degrees.

the banks were closed.

, for

, and

, nor

, but

, or , yet

, so

They stayed in the fight it was all that mattered now.

He liked it fat

Kevin didnt go to school

I dont like fries

We better solve this thing

It was already September

It was Labor Day

did he show up at work.

she liked it lean.

I love onion rings.

there will be trouble.

it was still 109 degrees.

the banks were closed.

#4 Add a comma

The painting, a genuine Monet, was stolen at six oclock this morning.

, who is the

artist,

, located at the

entrance to the

slabs,

, a community in

the Imperial

Valley,

Slab City

is a famous

work of

outsider art.

Salvation

Mountain

has helped to

make our county

famous. Leonard Knight

is home to

Salvation

Mountain.

What Have You Learned?

Can you write an example sentence for each of the four comma rules?

Try it now.

Then, go back and check to make sure you are using all of the rules correctly.