The Comma
The commas (,) tells the
reader to pause between
the words that it
separates.
Rule 1:
Use commas to separate items in a
series. Put a comma after each item
in the series except the last one.
• A series is a list of three or more things.
• Examples:
The man brought tomatoes, apples,
and peaches to the party.
Books, magazines, newspapers,
and CDs can be found in the
library.
The students used glue scissors rulers
and staples for their projects.
• The students used glue, scissors, rulers,
and staples for their projects.
Cars trucks buses or motorcycles could
use the road.
• Cars, trucks, buses, or motorcycles
could use the road.
Rule 2:
Two short, related sentences can be
made into one sentence. Use a comma
and the connecting word and, but, or or.
The oxen tried to pull the wagon.
The cart was stuck in the mud.
The oxen tried to pull the wagon, but
the wagon was stuck in the mud.
The students were studying. The teacher
was correcting papers.
• The students were studying, and the teacher
was correcting papers.
Most children were playing outside. Some
children went to the library.
• Most children were playing outside, but
some went to the library.
Rule 3:
Use commas to set off words yes, not,
and well when they are at the
beginning of a sentence.
• Yes, I can come to the party.
• No, you do not need to bring a present.
• Well, I might just bring some extra
snacks.
Rule 4:
Use a comma or commas to set off the
names of people who are spoken to
directly.
• “John, come and lend me some
help.”
• “What would you like help with,
Mary?”
• “What I need, John, is some help
with my math.”
Rule 5:
Use a comma to separate the month
and the day from the year.
• January 3, 2006
• The United States became a nation
on July 4, 1776.
Rule 6:
Use a comma between the names of a
city and a state.
• Palava, Dombivali
• Nasik, Maharashtra
Rule 7:
Use a comma after the greeting and
closing of a friendly letter.
Dear Uncle Ralph,
Yours truly,
Yes you are learning
about commas.
Yes, you are learning
about commas.
Rick are you learning about
commas?
Rick, are you learning
about commas?
I was born on
February 9 2000.
I was born on
February 9, 2000.
I live in Happy
Valley Oregon
I live in Happy
Valley, Oregon
Well I was born in
Detroit Michigan.
Well, I was born in
Detroit, Michigan.
Dear Class
Now you know more
about using commas.
Sincerely yours
Mr. Smith
Dear Class,
Now you know more
about using commas.
Sincerely yours,
Mr. Smith
Let’s Recap
• Use commas to separate items in a series. Put
a comma after each item in the series except the
last one.
Bring salad, fruit, and bread.
• You can combine two short, related sentences to
make one compound sentence. Use a commas
and the connecting word and, but, or or.
I will come, and you can meet me there.
• Use commas to set off the words yes, no, and
well when they are are at the beginning of a
sentence.
Yes, you can borrow my bike.
Let’s Recap
• Use a comma to set off the names of people who are
spoken to directly.
Chad, pleases take off your shoes.
• Use a comma to separate the month and the day of the
year.
He came on May 8, 2006.
• Use a commas between the names of a city and a state.
I visited Canby, Oregon.
• Use a commas after the greeting in a friendly letter.
• Use a commas after the closing in a letter.
Dear Joe,
Sincerely yours,
Now open Page no. 47
Grammar with ease
• We will practice week 10- day 1