Commas in Sentences

Commas in Compound Sentences

Use a comma before a conjunction that joins independent clauses in a compound sentence.

- An independent clause is a complete thought- Contains both a subject (noun) and a verb

I went to the soccer game yesterday, and my mom brought snacks.

FANBOYS

• Remember: FANBOYS– For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

– Comma Me, Maybe?! • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EamfU9GHkpM

Commas with Items in a Series

Use a comma after every item in a series except the last one.

A series consists of three or more items.

> You will need your notebook, a pen, and your novel.

Commas with Items in a Series

We brought salad, hot dogs, coleslaw, and lemonade to the picnic.

Use a comma between adjectives of equal rank that modify the same

noun.

Hieroglyphics used colorful, decorative symbols.

Do not use a comma between adjectives that express a single idea.

The symbols were often painted with brilliant gold paint.

Commas with Introductory Words and Phrases

• Use a comma after an introductory phrase that contains a prepositional phrase.

• Use a comma after introductory words.

After the weather cooled down, S.E. Gross continued to feel like a furnace.

Finally, we got to turn off some of the fans.

AAAWWUBBIS• Although

• After

• As

• While

• When

• Until

• Because

• Before

• If

• Since

WHERE DO I PUT THE COMMA?!

When sentences begin with one of the AAAWWUBBIS words, you need to place a

comma after the first thought ends.

EXAMPLE: Although I love teaching language arts, it would be fun to substitute for Mr. Agnew.

When Maria stepped inside the haunted house, she heard screams and groans.

As Maria ran into the next room, she saw herself in the mirrors that lined the wall.

Where does the comma go?

Although he wasn’t happy to come home and find someone going through his possessions his mother had always him to treat Maria respectfully.– The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Commas with Interrupters

Use commas to set off a word or phrase that interrupts the flow of thought in a sentence.

When I got home, however, she wasn't there.

I can’t remember if I ate breakfast, either way, I’m still hungry.