COMMAS
 Everyone is getting a copy of the comma notes.
 These are the comma rules that you MUST KNOW
and USE!
 Take some time to look over them, quiz each other
and/or practice if need be.
 IF you were to have a surprise quiz on them, make
sure you know these rules, hint, hint.
COMMA QUIZ
 Insert commas into the sentences where you think
they belong.
 Think back to the rules you reviewed yesterday.
 Turn you paper into the tray when you are done.
 Get your writing folder from over by the window
QUIETLY.
 Work or read quietly until everyone is done.
COMMA RULES
1. COMMAS IN COMPOUND SENTENCES
 Use a comma BEFORE the conjunction (FANBOYS) to separate
two independent clauses in a compound sentence.
 Examples:
Joyce plays the piano, and her brother plays the guitar.
Paul ran all the way to the store, but he forgot his money.
I wrote to Jean, so she wrote me back.
The rain has to stop, or the game will get cancelled.
Jean doesn't eat much, so she is losing weight.
She threw the switch, but the lights did not work.
2. COMMAS IN A SERIES/LIST
 Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or
clauses in a series.
 Examples:
The dish included chicken, cream, and vegetables.
My sneakers are not under my bed, in the closet, or under the
couch.
Mom wanted to know where we were going, with whom we were
going, and when we would be home.
3. COMMAS BETWEEN ADJECTIVES
 Use commas to separate adjectives of equal rank.
 DO NOT use commas to separate adjectives that must stay in a
specific order.
 Examples:
The tired, hungry hikers straggled back to camp.
That rock star has had a long, successful career.
Several shiny spoons were placed to the right of each knife.
We heard four sharp trumpet blasts.
4. COMMAS AFTER INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL
(COMMAS THAT SET OFF ADDED ELEMENTS)
 Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clause.
 Examples:
Furthermore, you should have read the warning label.
Please, won’t you let me go on the class trip?
Throughout the night, we heard the distant sirens.
Annoyed with the delay, Uncle Al became grumpy.
If you ask me, the movie was a waste of time.
5. COMMAS WITH PARENTHETICAL EXPRESSIONS
(COMMAS THAT SET OFF ADDED ELEMENTS)
 A parenthetical expression is a word or phrase that is not
essential to the meaning of the sentence.
 Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions.
1. Names of people being addressed/words used in direct address:
 Example: We know, Lucy, that you tried your best.
Please pass the butter, Jim.
*these people are being directly talked to (not about) so set off
their names with commas.
PARENTHETICAL EXPRESSIONS
CONTINUED
2. mild exclamations:
 Example: My, it's warm!
3. certain adverbs/ transitional words:
 Examples:
It seems clear, therefore, that there has been a mistake.
It is not clear how the mistake occurred, however.
4. common expressions:
 Examples:
Several people, in fact, missed the opening number.
This cake will be delicious, I hope.
6. COMMAS THAT SET OFF NONESSENTIAL
ELEMENTS
Essential Elements: material that
cannot be left out of a sentence.
Nonessential Elements: material
that can be left out of a sentence.
Use commas to set off the
nonessential expressions.
 Examples:
 Examples:
 The speaker from the State
 The speaker, a representative from
Department made several good
points.
 The woman speaking on foreign
policy is my aunt.
 Someone whom I had never met
spoke to me by name.
the State Department, made many
good points.
 The woman, speaking on foreign
policy, advocated a freeze on
nuclear weapons.
 Mr. Hayes, whom I had never met,
spoke to me by name.
Page 155 (exercises 1 and 2)
Page 156 (exercise 1)
Do not turn this in. Just bring it back
completed tomorrow in your
workbook.
7. COMMAS IN DATES
(SPECIAL USES OF THE COMMA)
 When a date is made up of two or more parts, use a comma
after each item EXCEPT in the case of a month followed by a day.
 Examples:
On Sunday, December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was bombed.
The birthday party is set for Tuesday, January 10, 2012.
She will be moving to Germany sometime in July, 2012.
It was Friday, May 27, 1970, when we last won the baseball title.
He will turn 40 in September not in October.
Is your birthday going to be Friday, September 29th?
8. COMMAS IN GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES
(SPECIAL USES OF THE COMMA)
 When a geographical name is made up of two or more
parts, use a comma after EACH item.
 Examples:
Cleveland, Ohio, is the home of the Browns football team.
Alice visited London, England, on her vacation.
9. COMMAS IN ADDRESSES
(SPECIAL USES OF THE COMMA)
 When you write an address on an envelope you write it like this:
Jen Kibler
2210 Dallas
Houston, TX 77019
 When you write it in a sentence you need to use commas like this:
Jen Kibler lives at 2210 Dallas, Houston, TX 77019.
 *Notice you don't put a comma between the state and zip code.
 Jen Kibler lives at 2210 Dallas, Houston, TX 77019, but is thinking about moving to Austin.
 *If the sentence continues, you must separate the last item in the address from the rest of the
sentence with another comma.
 I’m going to address this letter to Jen Kibler, 2210 Dallas, Houston, TX 77019.
ADDRESSES CONTINUED
*If there is only a city and a state put a comma between the city
and the state, if the sentence continues after the state separate
the city and state from the rest of the sentence with another
comma.
 Seth is going to visit his sister in Spokane, Washington, and
then go on to Oregon.
*Also use commas to separate countries from the
city/state/province.
 Rodger lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, near a large body of water.
ADDRESS PRACTICE
 The address of the King Center is 449 Auburn Avenue NE Atlanta
Georgia 30312.
 I am sure that Danny's address is 3467 Paxton Street Omaha
Nebraska.
 As I have explained to you and the police, I was in Dayton Ohio on
August 2nd and not in Marquette Michigan.
 I will meet you at Sarah's house on Chapel Road Baltimore
Maryland.
 Please mail this letter to Robert Smith 208 Treis Trail Yorktown VA
23693.
 I live at 106 St. Michael's Road San Antonio TX 77854 but will be
moving soon.
10. COMMAS IN LETTERS
(SPECIAL USES OF THE COMMA)
 Use a comma after the salutation in a personal letter and after the closing in all letters.
 Examples:
To my best friend Jessica,
Love,
Aunt Maggie
Sincerely,
Jason
Dear Aunt Sue and Uncle Bert,
Thanks for everything,
Kelly
11. COMMAS IN NUMBERS
(SPECIAL USES OF THE COMMA)
 With numbers more than three digits, use a comma after every
third digit, counting from the right.
 *do not use commas in zip codes, phone numbers, years, etc.
 Examples:
There are 1,523 pages in that novel that I was reading.
The area of North America is approximately 9,435,000 square
miles.
His social security number is 564-87-8958.
Please call me at 713-220-8142 so that we can arrange a
meeting place for me to give you the $3,216.00 that I owe you.
12. COMMAS WITH QUOTES
(SPECIAL USES OF THE COMMA)
 Use commas to set off a direct quotation from the rest of a sentence.
 Examples:
"Incidentally, Springfield has four sophomores in its starting line-up,"
said John. "One of them is George Molloy who is the leading scorer
in the conference.“
"Yes, Raymond," said his father, "my first real job was as a paper boy in Wisconsin. I held that job
for three years.“
"Well, boys," announced their guide, "it looks as though we will have
to stay out here all night.“
Jeff said, "I was born in November, 1948, and my three brothers were also born in November."
MAKING A COMMA BOOKLET:
Fold the manila
paper in half.
Evenly space out
numbers 1-12.
Then list all the
comma rules we
have gone over in
order.
1. Compound sentences
2. Series/List
3. Between Adjectives
4. Introductory material
5. Parenthetical expressions
6. Nonessential elements
7. Dates
8. Geographical names
9. Addresses
10. Letters
11. Numbers
12. Quotes
COMMA BOOKLET
Then cut each
rule, so it is its
own separate flap.
On the inside,
write the
explanation of
each comma rule.
On the right side,
next to the rule,
write an example
for each comma
rule.
This will be like
your study guide =)
COMMAS WITH APPOSITIVES
 Appositives are nouns or pronouns that are placed next to another noun or
pronoun to identify it or to add information about it.
 Make sure to set off appositives with commas.
 Examples:
Olympic racers, highly trained athletes, usually learn to ski between the ages of two
and five.
*note that an appositive can contain modifiers
Ski racing, a popular sport in many countries, challenges men and women of all
ages.
*note that an appositive can contain a prepositional phrase
1.
The best racers the fastest skiers often live in a snowy and
mountainous climate for most of their lives.
2.
Young racers potential Olympians frequently learn the basics of ski
racing in special schools.
3.
The downhill race a test of strength, endurance, and nerve thrills
spectators.
4.
The slalom race a more highly skilled event challenges all the racer's
skiing technique.
5.
Skiers race in the giant slalom a similar race to the slalom at speeds
up to 40 miles per hour.
 Look back over your quiz and make corrections.
 Use the guidance I have given you, and you may use your notes.
 When you are done, turn your corrections into the tray and take a “Monkey’s Paw”
packet from the podium. *this is due tomorrow!
 If you finish, you have study hall time.
 Please work QUIETLY!