Conquering the Confusion

A comma is a punctuation mark

It indicates a need for a pause in a sentence.

It helps to clarify the meaning of a sentence.

Commas in a series

Place commas between a series of three or more nouns, adjectives , or verbs .

The sentence above contains a series of three nouns. There is a comma after each noun in the series.

Place commas between a series of phrases or clauses.

Practice 1Where would you place commas in this

sentence?

The lions tigers and bears growled loudly at Dorothy.

Practice 1Where would you place commas in this

sentence?

The lions, tigers, and bears growled loudly at Dorothy. Comma after each noun in the series.

Practice 2Where would you place commas in this

sentence?

Dorothy stopped looked and ran.

Practice 2Where would you place commas in this

sentence?

Dorothy stopped, looked, and ran. Comma after each verb in the series.

Practice 3Where would you place commas in this

sentence?

The vicious desperate but starving animals gave up. Comma after each adjective in the series.

Practice 3Where would you place commas in this

sentence?

The vicious, desperate, but starving animals gave up. Comma after each adjective in the series.

Commas with Two AdjectivesSpecial cases!Use commas to separate adjectives that provide an equal description of a noun.

The Test:

Can the adjectives be reversed without changing meaning?

Can you put “and” between the adjectives?

If so, use a comma.

Practice with Adjectives 1Would you use a comma in this

sentence?Each of the three little pigs built a

house.

Practice with Adjectives 1Would you use a comma in this

sentence?Each of the three little pigs built a

house.

We would not say, “little three pigs.” Reversed – not okay

Practice with Adjectives 1Would you use a comma in this

sentence?Each of the three little pigs built a house.

We would not say, “little three pigs.” Reversed – not okay

We would not say, “three and little pigs.” Add “and” – not okay

NO COMMA

Practice with Adjectives 2Would you use a comma in this

sentence?The big bad wolf came to the door.

Practice with Adjectives 2Would you use a comma in this

sentence?The big bad wolf came to the door.

We would not say, “bad big wolf.” Reversed – not okay

Practice with Adjectives 2Would you use a comma in this

sentence?The big bad wolf came to the door.

We would not say, “bad big wolf.” Reversed – not okay

We would not say, “big and bad wolf.” Add “and” – not okay

NO COMMA

Practice with Adjectives 3 Would you use a comma in this

sentence?The frightened shivering pig asked,

“Who’s there?”

Practice with Adjectives 3 Would you use a comma in this

sentence?The frightened shivering pig asked,

“Who’s there?”

We could say, “shivering, frightened pig.” Reversed - OKAY

Practice with Adjectives 3 Would you use a comma in this

sentence?The frightened shivering pig asked,

“Who’s there?”

We could say, “shivering, frightened pig.” Reversed - OKAY

We could say, “frightened and shivering pig.” Add “and” – OKAY

USE A COMMA

Order of adjectivesSometimes, the ORDER of the

adjectives is important.

NUMBER comes first. Three little pink pigs

SIZE comes next Three little pink pigs

COLOR comes next Three little pink pigs

Order of adjectivesBecause the ORDER should not be

changed, they cannot be reversed. NO COMMA.

NUMBER comes first. Three little pink pigs

SIZE comes next Three little pink pigs

COLOR comes next Three little pink pigs

Order of adjectivesMemorize the order!

1. NUMBER2. SIZE3. AGE4. COLOR5. MATERIAL

These should not be reversed. NO COMMA

SummaryUse commas to separate a series of nouns,

adjectives, or verbs.Remember – sometimes adjectives do NOT

take a comma! Can you place an “and” between them?Can you reverse them?

If so – no comma!

Use commas to separate a series of phrases or clauses, too.