Unit: Memoirs and Mechanics

Lesson: Commas

End Marks

What is an end mark?– An end mark is also known as

punctuation, and comes at the end of a sentence. It lets you know when to stop.

What are the different kinds of end – Period– Questions mark– Exclamation mark

The CommaA comma is a punctuation mark.It tells us to take a brief pause when we are reading.It is the most common punctuation mark, but has to be used carefully.It is overused, underused, and abused!Comma can change the meaning of a sentence.

8 Comma RulesRule #1– Use commas to separate items in a

list of three or more.• Incorrect: I need to buy milk eggs and

bread.• Correct: I need to buy milk, eggs, and

bread.

8 Comma Rules

Rule #2– Use a comma to separate independent clauses

(complete thoughts) when they are joined by the following conjunctions:

– Note: The comma should come before the conjunction.

– Incorrect: I want to buy the new jacket but is it too expensive.

– Correct: I want to buy the new jacket, but is it too expensive.

And Or For Nor So Yet But

8 Comma Rules

Rule #3– Use a comma to separate a

dependent clause (incomplete thought) from an independent clause (complete thought).

– Incorrect: Without water the plant will die.

– Correct: Without water, the plant will die.

8 Comma Rules

Rule #4– Use a comma(s) to separate any

interrupting word or phrase. This phrase usually provides extra information about the subject.

– Incorrect: My mother on the other hand does not like chocolate.

– Correct: My mother, on the other hand, does not like chocolate.

8 Comma Rules

Rule #5– Use a comma to separate a quotation

from the rest of a sentence.– Incorrect: “We need to buy more

sugar” she said “before it runs out!”– Correct: “We need to buy more

sugar,” she said, “before it runs out!”

8 Comma Rules

Rule #6– Use a comma to separate an

introductory element from the rest of a sentence.

– Incorrect: Hi how are you?– Correct: Hi, how are you?

8 Comma Rules

Rule #7– Use a comma to separate the name

of a city from a country or state.– Incorrect: I live in Chapel Hill North

Carolina.– Correct: I live in Chapel Hill, North

Carolina.

8 Comma Rules

Rule #8– Use a comma to separate the day of

the week, the day of the month, and the year.

– Incorrect: Today is Thursday April 18 1943.

– Correct: Today is Thursday, April 18, 1943.

See worksheet

The Colon

Used to show time– 11:35 PM

Used before a list– I will need the following items from

the store: bread, bananas, and milk.

Apostrophe

Apostrophes are used to form possessive nounsApostrophes are used to form contractionsSee worksheet