The GSPC Lesson Series: Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation, Capitalization

G1 - Comma Rules

There are around 16 comma rules, but all you really have to remember is LIES. Here's what LIES means:

L is for LISTS. A question that always comes up: Do I need the comma before the last item in a series? It's more formal to use it, so, yes .

I is for INTRODUCTIONS: Use a comma after any word or group of words that precedes (introduces) the subject of the sentence.

E is for EXTRA INFORMATION: Any word or group of words that could be removed from the sentence without losing the sense of wholeness should be set off by commas.

S is for Side-by-Side Sentences: When you have two sentences that are placed side by side, you need to join them with a comma AND a conjunction such as AND, OR, BUT, SO.

(The LIES rules don't include the commas that are used with quotation marks. The comma goes outside the first set of quotation marks; the comma goes inside the end set of quotation marks.)

Practice: Comma Rules

Rx Write is written by Amy Benjamin. © 2004. Eye on Education. Larchmont, New York. Used with permission