I. Using commas to add information to sentences

At the beginning P-1B: (Use a comma to set off introductory words, phrases, or clause to set off the sentence.)

1. Unfortunately, the bank has closed.

2. Before it starts to rain, we better head home.

3. Ever since the last hurricane, we have always been prepared.

4. To improve his grade, he joined a study group.

5. Meanwhile, I’ll have some tea.

6. Suddenly, I realized I had time to get breakfast before class.

7. Fortunately, no one got injured in the car crash.

8. When Joe read the book, he finally understood the movie.

9. After she finished jogging, she took a shower.

10. When I was gifted my new hat, I wore it right away.

11. The first time Ted saw Robin, he thought he was in love.

12. After she received a ticket for speeding, she never sped again.

13. Until we find the keys, we cannot get into the car.

In the middle P-1D:  (A nonrestrictive element should be set off with commas, because it’s noun or pronoun has already been defined. A restrictive element does not need commas, because defines the word it modifies. Therefore, it is essential to the meaning of the sentence.)

1. In December, when it’s cold outside, the birds have already migrated. (Nonrestrictive)

2. The man who owns the bakery also owns the coffee store downtown.  (Restrictive)

In the middle P-1E: (Use commas to interrupt the flow of the sentence by adding information that may or may not be important.)

1. The dog, after his obedience training, improved his listening skills.

2. My best friend, the caption of the tennis team, deserves more recognition.

3. The gang, after hours of relentless taunting, finally stopped calling Barney, “Swarley.”

4. The leafs on the trees, during the fall season, are so beautiful.

At the beginning, in the middle, or the end P-1F: (Use a comma to set off a transition word from the rest of the sentence.Transitional expressions come either before a semicolon or a period when connecting two independent clauses. Afterwards, they are followed by a comma.)

1. We didn’t learn a lot in that class; however, we enjoyed it very much.

2. I like to bake; especially, I like to bake vanilla cupcakes.

3. We wanted to make the movie in time, however, Carrie took too long to get ready.

4. For example, I have three pets who are all housetrained.

II. Using commas to Separate

Direct quotations P-1G: (Use a comma to separate quoted phrases from an individual or source.)

1. “I have never been swimming before,” Jane responded.

2. “I got my shirt from the mall,” Sarah said.

3. “After 2am just go to sleep, because the decisions you make after 2am are the wrong decisions,” Ted explained.

Direct address, interjections, yes or no, tag questions P-1H:
(Use a comma to separate a Direct Address, a Direct Answer to a subject, Interruptions to a sentence, and Tag Questions.)

1.  Well, Mary, I guess you should go to the party.

2. Yes, I can have lunch with you tomorrow.

3. Indeed, I did make my car payment this month.

4. You’ve never been here before, have you?

5. Of course, Beth, you can drive my car.

6. No, Barney, I don’t want to play laser tag.

7. We are going to the park today, aren’t we?

8. Lily and Marshall’s engagement is such happy new, isn’t it?

9. It hasn’t been this nice out in a while, right?

10. The extra credit portion for this assignment was difficult, wasn’t it?

Elements in a series: P-1C: (Use a comma to isolate a sequence of items.)
(Use a comma to isolate several items in a sequence.)

1. During my lunch break, I like to take a walk, listen to music, and birdwatch.

2. I would like to travel to Italy, England, France, and Australia.

3. The colors on the scarf are blue, green, and red.

4. I like cheese, mustard, and lettuce on my sandwiches.

5. My favorite things to do at the beach are to lay out, listen to the waves, and eat ice cream.

6. Barney likes to go to the bar, play laser tag, and hang out with his friends.

III. Using commas to join clauses

P-1A: (Use commas to connect independent clauses and coordinating conjunctions.)

1. She’s allergic to dairy, so she couldn’t eat the cookies.

2. Sarah practiced a lot, yet she didn’t make the team.

3. They weren’t wearing sunblock, nor were they wearing sunhats.

4. We put bug spray on, for there were mosquitoes outside.

5. I went to the grocery store, but I forgot the milk.

6. I wanted to get there early, but there was traffic.

7. He likes to exercise, so he can stay in shape.

8. Ted wanted to marry Robin, but she was in love with Barney.

9. Marshall and Lily got engaged, yet they haven’t set a wedding date yet.

10. Barney loves to wear suits, so he wears them all the time.

11. Ted is a hopeless romantic, so he is searching for “the one.”

12. Robin use to be a canadian popstar, and she had two top hits.

13. Lily is a kindergarten teacher, but she always wanted to be a painter.

14. Barney was searching for his umbrella, for it was raining outside.

15. Ted and Marshall have been drinking for hours, so they had to catch a cab.

16. Barney offered Robin money to say funny stuff on the news, but she declined his offer.

17. Lily went to San Francisco for her art career, so therefore Marshall was devastated.

IV. Using commas for mechanical/placeholder purposes

P-1I: (Use commas to recognize the difference in Address, Place Names, and Dates.)

1. We use to live in Florida until November 22, 2001.

2. On December 24, 2014 we went to New York to visit our family for Christmas.

3. The theme park is located in Orlando, Florida.

4. You should contact Apple Inc. to get information on this update.

5. Her first day of teaching was last year, September 13, 2015.

6. December 25, 2007 was the first Christmas we had with our dog.

V. Unneeded commas/comma errors

P-1J: (Understanding the placement of comma usage in a sentence.)

1. I like your flower, headband.

2. I don’t think we should go because, it might rain.

3. Do you know why we celebrate independence day?, we do for many reasons.

4. Peacock’s feathers are, so colorful, I’ve never seen something so beautiful.

5. After we eat and, go shopping, we can go home.

6. I like karaoke, and swimming.

7. Today, was a good day.

8. Tomorrow I want to, go dancing.

9. Yes and, I would like to get extra credit.

10. Robin is in love with, barney not Ted.