Comma Rules

Commas

• Everyone is getting a copy of the comma notes.

• These are the comma rules that you MUST KNOW and USE!

• Take some time to look over them, quiz each other and/or practice if need be.

• IF you were to have a surprise quiz on them, make sure you know these rules, hint, hint.

Comma Quiz• Insert commas into the sentences where you

think they belong.• Think back to the rules you reviewed

yesterday.• Turn you paper into the tray when you are

done.• Get your writing folder from over by the

window QUIETLY.• Work or read quietly until everyone is done.

Commas in Compound Sentences

• Use a comma BEFORE the conjunction (FANBOYS) to separate two independent clauses in a compound sentence.

• Joyce plays the piano, and her brother plays the guitar.• Paul ran all the way to the store, but he forgot his

money.• I wrote to Jean, so she wrote me back.• The rain has to stop, or the game will get cancelled.• Jean doesn't eat much, so she is losing weight.• She threw the switch, but the lights did not work.

Commas in a List

• Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series.

• Examples:The dish included chicken, cream, and vegetables.My sneakers are not under my bed, in the closet, or under the couch.Mom wanted to know where we were going, with whom we were going, and when we would be home.

Commas Between Adjectives

• Use commas to separate adjectives of equal rank. • DO NOT use commas to separate adjectives that

must stay in a specific order.• Examples:

The tired, hungry hikers straggled back to camp.That rock star has had a long, successful career.Several shiny spoons were placed to the right of each knife.We heard four sharp, trumpet blasts.

Commas After Introductory Material

• Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clause.

• Examples:Furthermore, you should have read the warning label.Please, won’t you let me go on the class trip?Throughout the night, we heard the distant sirens.Annoyed with the delay, Uncle Al became grumpy.If you ask me, the movie was a waste of time.

Commas with Parenthetical Expressions

• A parenthetical expression is a word or phrase that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

• Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions.1. Names of people being addressed/words used in

direct address:Example: We know, Lucy, that you tried your best.

Please pass the butter, Jim.*these people are being directly talked to (not about) so set off their names with commas.

Parenthetical Expressions Continued2. mild exclamations:• Example:

My, it's warm!

3. certain adverbs/ transitional words:• Examples:

It seems clear, therefore, that there has been a mistake.It is not clear how the mistake occurred, however.

4. common expressions:• Examples:

Several people, in fact, missed the opening number. This cake will be delicious, I hope.

Commas in Dates

• When a date is made up of two or more parts, use a comma after each item EXCEPT in the case of a month followed by a day.

• Examples: On Sunday, December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was bombed.The birthday party is set for Tuesday, January 10, 2012.She will be moving to Germany sometime in July, 2012.It was Friday, May 27, 1970, when we last won the baseball title.He will turn 40 in September not in October.Is your birthday going to be Friday, September 29th?

Commas in Geographical Names

• When a geographical name is made up of two or more parts, use a comma after EACH item.

• Examples:Cleveland, Ohio, is the home of the Browns football team.Alice visited London, England, on her vacation.

Commas in Addresses• When you write an address on an envelope you write it like this:

Jen Kibler2210 DallasHouston TX 77019

• When you write it in a sentence you need to use commas like this:Jen Kibler lives at 2210 Dallas, Houston, TX 77019.

• *Notice you don't put a comma between the state and zip code.

• Jen Kibler lives at 2210 Dallas, Houston, TX 77019, but is thinking about moving to Austin.

• *If the sentence continues, you must separate the last item in the address from the rest of the sentence with another comma.

• I’m going to address this letter to Jen Kibler, 2210 Dallas, Houston, TX 77019.

Addresses Continued

*If there is only a city and a state put a comma between the city and the state, if the sentence continues after the state separate the city and state from the rest of the sentence with another comma.

• Seth is going to visit his sister in Spokane, Washington, and then go on to Oregon.

*Also use commas to separate countries from the city/state/province.

• Rodger lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, near a large body of water.

Address Practice

• The address of the King Center is 449 Auburn Avenue NE Atlanta Georgia 30312.

• I am sure that Danny's address is 3467 Paxton Street Omaha Nebraska.

• As I have explained to you and the police, I was in Dayton Ohio on August 2nd and not in Marquette Michigan.

• I will meet you at Sarah's house on Chapel Road Baltimore Maryland.

• Please mail this letter to Robert Smith 208 Treis Trail Yorktown VA 23693.

• I live at 106 St. Michael's Road San Antonio TX 77854 but will be moving soon.

Commas in Letters• Use a comma after the salutation in a personal letter and after the

closing in all letters.• Examples:

To my best friend Jessica,

Love,Aunt Maggie

Sincerely,Jason

Dear Aunt Sue and Uncle Bert,

Thanks for everything,Kelly

Commas in Numbers

• With numbers more than three digits, use a comma after every third digit, counting from the right.

• *do not use commas in zip codes, phone numbers, years, etc.• Examples:

There are 1,523 pages in that novel that I was reading.The area of North America is approximately 9,435,000 square miles.His social security number is 564-87-8958.Please call me at 713-220-8142 so that we can arrange a meeting place for me to give you the $3,216.00 that I owe you.

Commas with Quotes• Use commas to set off a direct quotation from the rest of a sentence.• Examples:

"Incidentally, Springfield has four sophmores in its starting line-up,"said John. "One of them is George Molloy who is the leading scorer in the conference.“

"Yes, Raymond," said his father, "my first real job was as a paper boy in Wisconsin. I held that job for three years.“

"Well, boys," announced their guide, "it looks as though we will have to stay out here all night.“

Jeff said, "I was born in November, 1948, and my three brothers were also born in November."

Commas with Appositives

• Appositives are nouns or pronouns that are placed next to another noun or pronoun to identify it or to add information about it.

• Make sure to set off appositives with commas.• Examples:

Olympic racers, highly trained athletes, usually learn to ski between the ages of two and five.*note that an appositive can contain modifiers

Ski racing, a popular sport in many countries, challenges men and women of all ages.*note that an appositive can contain a prepositional phrase

1. The best racers the fastest skiers often live in a snowy and mountainous climate for most of their lives.

2. Young racers potential Olympians frequently learn the basics of ski racing in special schools.

3. The downhill race a test of strength, endurance, and nerve thrills spectators.

4. The slalom race a more highly skilled event challenges all the racer's skiing technique.

5. Skiers race in the giant slalom a similar race to the slalom at speeds up to 40 miles per hour.

• Look back over your quiz and make corrections.

• Use the guidance I have given you, and you may use your notes.

• When you are done, turn your corrections into the tray and take a “Monkey’s Paw” packet from the podium. *this is due tomorrow!

• If you finish, you have study hall time.• Please work QUIETLY!