AS—Adjectives in a Series: When a list of adjectives is not separated by a conjunction(s), place commas between them.
NS—Nouns in a Series (more than two nouns): When a list of nouns or noun phrases is not separated by a conjunction(s), place commas between them.
VS—Verbs in a Series: When a list of verbs or verb phrases is not separated by a conjunction(s), place commas between them.
2IC—Two Independent Clauses (or "compound sentences"): If two independent clauses (two complete sentences) are joined with a coordinating conjunction, place a comma before the conjunction.
IE—Introductory Elements: An introductory element is a word or phrase before the main, independent part of the sentence. It usually tells you something about the main clause.
NRC—Non-Restrictive Clauses: These clauses are often known as "the part you could just take out"; they include parenthetical comments, appositives, contrasting elements, interjections, direct addresses, dates, conjunctive adverbs, and other transitional words and phrases. They're sometimes at the end of a sentence.
Practice with Commas: Write the Code (AS, NS, VS, IE, 2IC, NRC) that Corresponds to the Commas Used in the Following Sentences.
_____Clean dorm rooms, according to Newsweek, are considered illegal at EIU.
_____The drunken contractor declared that the house had been built properly, so we immediately had the place bulldozed.
_____The closet contained old, worn clothes and, worse than that, clothes she had stolen.
_____The uninvited bird pranced across our pumpkin pie, but we ate it anyway.
_____Running blindfolded through the minefield was exciting, but what happened to Kenny?
_____He gave all of his cash to the robber, who promised the money would be donated to charity.
_____Maggie usually just sucks on her pacifier, and I bet she'll never speak.
_____Snails, which never made good pets anyway, have a great future as a pizza topping.
_____She reads everything, but understands zip.
_____She reads everything, but she understands zip.