Commas! Think Baseball (There are a few other rules, but these are the most common.) Susan Brown
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Commas!Think Baseball
(There are a few other rules, but these are the most common.)
Susan Brown
#1 – THE WORLD SERIES
Rule: Words or sentence segments in a series are separated by commas.
Example:
The catcher hit a home run in the first, fifth, and seventh innings. This game was exciting because there were four home runs, our pitcher shut out the other side, and the home team won.
(This is the Oxford Comma everyone freaks out about – the last one before the “and.”)
#2 – DOUBLE HEADER
Rule: Two sentences may be connected to make one sentence by using , and or , but.
Examples:
The pitcher thought it was a perfect pitch, but the batter hit it out of the park.
The team practiced all week, and on Saturday their work paid off as they won the game 3-0.
#3 - “YOU’RE OUTTA HERE!”
Rule: Place a comma before the beginning of a quotation.
Example:
The umpire growled, “You’re outta here!”
#4 - “THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER”
Rule: Place a comma after words or sentence segments that merely introduce the main idea.
Example:
While the last notes of the “Star Spangled Banner” were still heard, the audience applauded the home team as they took the field.
#5 - RAIN DELAY
Rule: If a word or sentence segment interrupts a sentence, put a comma before and after it.
Example:
Every minute of the game, except for the 10 minute rain delay in the fifth, was exciting.
The pitcher, Casey, has just joined the team.
YOU’RE OUTTA HERE (Instant replay)
Rule: Place a comma before the beginning of a quotation.
Example:
The pitcher screamed, “It was a fair ball, I tell you!”
IT’S A WALK…
Rule: Do not use a comma after a non-speech action.
Example:
The pitcher scratched his head and scowled. “It was a fair ball, I tell you!”
TIME OUT:
Rule: Place a comma at the end of an unfinished quote and after the speaker attribution.
Example:
“It was a fair ball,” the pitcher protested, “and I’ve told you that before.”
SACRIFICE BUNT:
Rule: Treat an interior dialogue punctuation mark as though it was a comma.
Example:
“Why did you call a strike?” the pitcher growled.
“It was a fair ball!” the pitcher exclaimed.
Numbers, Dates, Addresses, Letters
Numbers in the thousands, millions, billions, etc. A comma is placed before every third digit from the right, in numbers of four or more. Example: 93,786,300,701,834
Dates A comma is used to separate parts of dates in a sentence. Example: January 3, 1980, was a day to remember.
Addresses Use a comma to set off parts of addresses in a sentence. Example: Write to Box 105, Vleet Street, Montreal, Canada.
Letter
Rule: A comma is used after Dear , and after Sincerely.
Example:
Dear Ann Landers,
I have finally learned to use commas correctly, but my fiancé of 7,201 days is terribly jealous. Given my new knowledge, should I dump him, teach him, or join a convent?
Sincerely,
Ecstatic in Everett
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