Punctuation

Coordinate Adjectives If two adjectives modify a noun in the same way, place a comma between the two adjectives. These are called coordinate adjectives. There is a two-part test for coordinate adjectives: (1) Can you replace the comma with the word and? (2) Can you reverse the order of the adjectives and keep the same

Commas are used to set off certain items that often begin a sentence and have no grammatical connection with the rest of the sentence. These items include certain common expressions, unemphatic interjections, and direct addresses. Common Expression: But of course, we have mustard in the car. Unemphatic Interjection: Yes, we have no bananas. Direct Address:

Use a comma to separate a group of prepositional phrases of more than four words when the phrases come at the beginning of a sentence. Do not use a comma between separate phrases unless they are in a series. A comma may also set off a single prepositional phrase at the beginning to make the

Place a comma after an introductory adverb clause. An adverb clause shows time, place, degree, extent, cause, or condition. It is a subordinate clause which begins with a subordinating conjunction. Correct: Before the curtain fell, the actors bowed. Correct: If the next two nights are sellouts, the play will be extended. Note that if a

In addition to the items covered in Commas with Introductory Words, conjunctive adverbs are also set off by commas. Conjunctive Adverbs are adverbs which join sentence parts. The following words are the most common conjunctive adverbs: also besides furthermore however indeed instead moreover nevertheless otherwise therefore thus Correct: John headed this way; however, he did