Comma Rules

Rule one- Use commas in compound sentences when clauses are separated by a conjunction such as "and," "but," "for," "nor," or "yet."
Examples: I went to the store, but I forgot the milk
Taking out the conjuction example: I went to the store; I forgot the milk.

Rule two- Use commas to separate elements in a series. Such elements usually are adjectives, verbs, or nouns.
Examples: The crazy, loud and smelly dog jumped on the old lady; I have to pack my suitcase, put it in the trunk and drive to the airport.

Rule three- Use commas when attributing from quoted material. Commas set off words of attribution from the words of a one-sentence quotation unless a question mark or exclamation mark is preferred. Use them also in greetings.
Examples: I opened the door to a room full of people yelling, "Surprise!"; I started to laugh saying, "Oh I know you guys would do this."

Rule four- Commas follow introductory matter, such as after an introductory adverbial clause.
Examples: Taking of his shirt, Mark decided he needed to start working out; When I went to the prom in 2006, it took me two hours to get ready.

Rule five- Commas follow the salutation of a friendly letter and the complimentary close of any letter. Commas also follow capitalized elements, such as the complimentary close (e.g., Sincerely, Very truly yours), and a colon follows the salutation of a business letter.
Examples: Dear Janet,; To whom it may concern:

Rule six- Commas follow all items in a date or full address.
Examples: Today is February 16, 2009; I lived in Ottawa, Ontario for ten years.

Rule seven- Commas surround nonessential words or phrases.
Examples: Actually, I changed my mind; Janet Weissenberger, a serial dater, has not had a boyfriend for two months.

Rule eight- Commas surround words of direct address.
Examples: Mom, can you get the phone; I can tell that you are lying, Ben.

Rule nine- Commas indicate omitted verbs, usually expressed in another part of the sentence.
Examples: Your hair color is dyed; real, no way; The Ravens will not make it to the super bowl; the playoffs, definitely.

Rule ten- Semicolons connect two complete sentences if sentences have a related though. Use of a semicolon usually creates a sense of drama.
Examples: My mother packed up her bags and left for Canada; she went to start a new life with my father; I got ready for valentines day in my new, black dress, ready to take on the bars of college park; but, I drank too much and woke up in a dorm the very next day.

Rule eleven- Semicolons are used in a list separating items that require significant internal punctuation.
Examples: I lived ten years in Ottawa, Ontario; one year in Towson, Maryland; and ten years in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Rule twelve- Colons preced formal lists, illustrations, multisentence quotes, and enumerations.
Examples: The following people were invited to the dinner party: Katie, Marielle, Sarah, Kelly and Jackie; In order to get into nursing school I have to do the following: taking summer classes, apply in the fall, and finish taking the rest of the pre requisits.