COMMAS!

Dun, Dun, DUUNNNNNNN!

Comma Rules Around:

Nonessential clauses

and Interrupters

After:Introductory words and

phrases

Quotation marks:

Before:Coordinating

conjunctions that

combine two complete

sentences

Separate:

Items in a series

Commas Come Before Coordinating Conjunctions that separate two

complete sentencesForAndNorButOrYetSo

The war lasted for several years, but not many people supported it.

She studied very hard, yet she failed her exam. The politician campaigned enthusiastically but never

gathered much money.

Commas with ConjunctionsMark each sentence as C or I. Correct Incorrect sentences.

1. Lucy hit her brother but he said it didn’t hurt.2. John took Vitamin C, and a multivitamin every day.3. We wanted to leave, yet something held us there.4. We didn’t know what to do so we sat down to wait.5. The cave made me uncomfortable, for it was cold and

damp.6. I had pancakes for breakfast and drank milk with them.7. My mom bought a new car but didn’t drive it home.8. The nuclear explosion caused sewage systems to

overflow, and disease to spread.9. The banana was starting to brown yet it was still very

tasty.10. Jerry was told he could either go to the mall or the

basketball game.

Commas Separate Items in a series (3 or more)

I went to the store for bread, milk, and eggs.Michelle was kicked off the team because she

failed a class, was disrespectful to her teacher, and skipped practice.

John is allergic to dairy products and chocolate.

Commas that SeparateWrite each sentence and put commas where they are needed.

1. The elderly man clutched his heart swooned and fell to the floor when he had a heart attack.

2. My dog gets scared whenever thunder booms strangers knock at the door or I try to give him a bath.

3. I spent the afternoon shopping for groceries and playing tennis.

4. Fresh bread roasted chicken and three bottles of sparkling wine were packed in the picnic basket.

Commas Go Around

Nonessential Elements and Interrupters NONESSENTIAL

The man forgot, however, where he had placed his keys.

Mary Roberts, calling out Joe’s name, ran down the street.

Our neighbor, who is the foreman at the plant, is on vacation.

ESSENTIAL Each student who is going on the field trip must turn in

a permission slip. The woman who is running the cash register just went

on break.

Essential The book that Chubb was eating is

overdue at the library. This sentence is about a particular

book -- the one Chubb was eating. We watched the award-winning movie

"The Departed." Lots of movies win awards. It is

"essential" to know which one. Lorraine drove her daughter Margie to

school and her daughter Suzie to work. Lorraine has more than one

daughter. The names are "essential." Jarrett's neighbor Lisa watched from the

hedge. Jarrett has neighbors on both sides.

It is "essential" to know which one watched.

Nonessential The book, which Chubb chewed all night, was

due at the library yesterday. This sentence is about the fact that the

book is due. The fact that Chubb chewed it all night is extra detail; it is nonessential.

Jarrett's bulldog, Chubb, likes books. Assume Jarrett has only one bulldog; the

name "Chubb" is nonessential. The speaker was the winner of the 2007

Academy Award for leading actor, Forest Whittaker.

There was only one such winner in 2007. Thus, the name is "nonessential."

Lisa's cat, Mordred, watched from the shadows.

Assume that Lisa has only one cat. This makes the cat's name "nonessential" to the meaning of the sentence.

Lorraine and her husband, Charlie, worked in the garden.

Lorraine only has one husband; therefore, his name is nonessential.

Practice The woman who interviewed you is my sister. The average world temperature however has

continued to rise significantly. Company managers seeking higher profits hired

temporary workers to replace full-time staff. The person checking tickets at the counter

asked for a form of identification. My uncle Joe who is eighty years old walks three

miles every day. The sixth-century philosopher Boethius was

arrested tortured and bludgeoned to death.

Commas that Go AroundMark each sentence as C or I. Correct Incorrect sentences.

1. Sally, whom you met at last night's dance, wants to know if you found her purse.

2. The game as you remember was a tie.

3. The French artist Jaques Laurent appeared at a speaking engagement in New York.

4. Mr. Duffy named as college counselor in 1985 has been promoted to Duke of Students.

5. Our son who won last year's prize was disqualified from the competition.

6. Fred, green with envy, refused to acknowledge Harvey's mastery of the game of Yahtze.

7. Jim, sheriff of Monroe County, wanted to question the witness.

8. The boy, who broke my car window, brought flowers to my house.

9. The parole violator must of course pay his fine.

10. The dog that dug up my garden was returned to its owner.

Commas Go After

Introductory Words and Phrases As a matter of fact, he did graduate high school. However, Brad didn’t go to the movies.

Brad didn’t go to the movies however. To pass the Economics test, you must study very

hard. To pass the Economics test without studying is

unheard of.

Commas that Go AfterMark each sentence as C or I. Correct Incorrect sentences.

1. To stay in shape for competition athletes must exercise every day.

2. Meanwhile the athletes trained on the Nautilus equipment.3. Still, the credibility of some witnesses was in question.4. Extracting the most profit for the least expenditure on labor

and materials, is the primary goal of a capitalist.5. The wind blowing violently, the townspeople began to seek

shelter. 6. After the adjustment for inflation real wages have decreased

while corporate profits have grown. 7. Preparing and submitting his report was one of the most

difficult tasks Bill had ever attempted.8. To start a new business without doing market research

would be foolish.9. Barking insistently Smokey got us to throw his ball for him. 10. A popular and well respected mayor Tom Bailey was the

clear favorite in the campaign for governor.

Commas that Go AfterMark each sentence as C or I. Correct Incorrect sentences.

Dear Johnny

I’m so excited to tell you about our Fourth of July! That morning the rest of the family arrived at our house. We cooked a big breakfast that consisted of eggs bacon biscuits and gravy toast milk and orange juice. After eating the kids wanted to go outside and we adults were more than happy to let them! In the meantime Aunt Martha and I cleaned the kitchen. The kids full of energy played nonstop the rest of the morning. For dinner we grilled hotdogs and had a great time and by the end of the day everyone was exhausted. You must join us next year!

Love

Miranda

Commas with Quotation Marks

Every quotation must have punctuation at the end, inside the quotation marks A comma if the quote is at the beginning--“Hurry up,” she said. An end mark if it’s at the end.--She said, "Hurry up."

When a quote comes at the beginning of the sentence, end punctuation is determined by the type of sentence. “Shut up!” she yelled. “Don’t you love me?” he asked. “I guess so,” he mumbled.

Some form of punctuation must always separate the quote from the rest of the sentence A comma if the quote is at the end--Mr. Johnson said, “Good grief!” The punc. mark for the quote if the quote is at the beginning--“I didn't see

the alien,” Mr. Johnson said. The placement of question marks with quotes follows logic.

She asked, "Will you still be my friend?" Do you agree with the saying, "All's fair in love and war“?

Commas with Quotation Marks

1. My sister would like to go to the movies with us said Gina May

2. This summer promises continued Roger to be a very memorable one for sure

3. Would you care for another slice of pizza asked Mom

4. Mrs. Miller said she wanted the tree projects on her desk first period tomorrow

5. Mrs. Gardner added We should find out tomorrow

6. Nick said that he wasn't feeling well yesterday

7. We have to finish this quickly or we'll get in trouble cried Katie

8. Here is the hammer you asked for said Richard

9. Perhaps you wouldn't be so tired suggested Dad if you went to bed earlier

10. Excellent work Paul praised Mom

NAMES Carla, where are you going? How are you doing, Sandy? Well, Jacob, you are wrong.

Steven goes to the store. Blake likes turkey. My sister Angela lives in Ohio.

Stuff Not on New Standards

Coordinate Adjectives (insert “and,” swap) Rachel lived a long, happy life. We were prepared for a long, tedious planning session.

The former secret agent had to change her identity.

Items in dates and addresses The house at 100 Main Street, Rome, GA 21210, was sold

today. My son was born on January 5, 1976, in Chicago, Illinois.

It was on January 5 that my son was born. In July 1999, we went to Italy.