<p>Commas & Quotation Marks Below are rules for the proper use of commas and quotation marks. Commas 1. Commas separate two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. example:</p><p> Rudy has to finish his economics homework, and then he needs to wash my car. 2. Commas set off introductory subordinate clauses and long phrases. example:</p><p> As if she didn't already have enough to worry about, she realized that she had forgotten all about her Spanish essay.</p><p>\</p><p>3. Commas set off nonessential clauses and phrases following a specific noun (a proper name of particular person, place, or thing). example:</p><p> Eloise Burton, who is from Texas, will speak at the ceremony tomorrow.</p><p>4. Commas separate consecutive words and separate items in a series of three or more. example:</p><p> For dinner tonight, I would like to eat steak, mashed potatoes, peas, and a garden salad.</p><p>5. Commas separate two adjectives that modify a single noun (not each other). (If you could place "and" between them, they need a comma.) example:</p><p> Her small, adorable cat doesn't meow often. 6. Commas separate parts of dates and addresses. example:</p><p> Mr. Goddard says that he was in Dallas, Texas on March 12, 1994 during that historical basketball game.</p><p>7. Commas mark interrupters and enclose parenthetical expressions. example:  I really believe, by the way, that it truly is darkest before dawn. 8. Commas mark the omission of words. example:</p><p> From my father I received cash, and from my brother, a model train set.</p><p>9. Commas set off "yes" and "no," tag questions, words of direct address, and mild interjections. examples:</p><p> No, I'm not interested in your limited-time offer.</p><p> This is the fourth time that you've visited my house, correct?</p><p> Ma'am, I don't believe we've met before.  Man, I've just been sitting here this whole time!</p><p>Quotation Marks 1. Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks, even inside single quotes. examples:  Wesley told me, "That new seafood restaurant has terrible service," and then he recommended that we skip dinner.  Marcia said, "I'm extremely tired today.'"</p><p>2. The placement of question marks with quotes depends on the sentence. If a question is in quotation marks, the question mark should be placed inside the quote. examples:  Mrs. Smythe asked him, "Have you turned in your assignment yet?"  Did Terry just say, "I really like that painting"? o Here the question is outside the quote. o NOTE: Only one ending punctuation mark is used with quotation marks. Also, the stronger punctuation mark wins. Therefore, no period after "painting" is used.</p><p>3. When you have a question outside AND inside a quote, use only one question mark and place it inside the quotation mark. example:  Did she just ask me, "How often do you visit this town?"</p><p>4. Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes. Note that the period goes inside all quote marks. example:  Rebekah said with a sigh, "From what I can remember, she told me, 'You are required to wear a dress to the dance.'"</p><p>5. Use quotation marks to set off a direct quotation only. example:  "I really hate to drink beverages that have caffeine," Mr. Lawrence said. He said that he really hates to drink beverages that have caffeine.</p>