The English House of Commas
This set of slides will illustrate the most
common uses of one of the most common
punctuation marks:
Commas
Use a comma to signal a pause or
separation between parts of a sentence.
Commas
Use commas to separate three or more
items in a series. (Rule 1)
Example:
1. Harold brought his hamster, his turtle,
and his tarantula to school.
2. The hamster slept, ate a carrot stick, and
then ran on his exercise wheel.
Commas
1. I love to eat brownies cookies and
candy.
2. Matt went to the park played basketball
rode his bike and walked home.
3. Sarah Jessica Parker and John skated at
the park after school.
4. Our parrot talks whistles sings and
dances.
Use a comma and a conjunction (and, but, or,
nor, for, yet, so) to join two sentences
together.
John and Susan went to the store, but they
forgot to buy a gallon of milk.
My favorite hockey team is the Predators, but
they lost the game on Sunday.
Use a comma and a conjunction (and, but, or,
nor, for, yet, so) to join two sentences
together.
1. Bicycle helmets are important and they
protect us.
2. We are very tired. We can rest soon.
3. I’m ready for the race. Our team is the
best.
Use a comma to separate adjectives.
Coaches grew weary of running practices in
the drafty, dreary, dilapidated gymnasium.
The designs for an expensive, modern gym
should make them happy.
Use a comma to separate adjectives.
1. Italy is a beautiful fascinating country.
2. That is a gorgeous soft purse.
3. Did you see the tall dark stranger.
Examples
Add commas where needed.
1. Mary George and Flora rode the
bus to school each day.
2. George and Flora studied math
history and science together.
3. We watched the game and Sarah
played in the sand box.
Homework
p. 315 Ex. 3 (1-5)
p.316 Ex. 4 (1-5)
p. 317 Ex. 5 (1-5)