Practice for the AHSGE
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Like all other punctuation marks, a comma is
used to avoid confusion in a sentence.
When readers see a comma, they know there
is a slight pause, and they can tell how
particular words or phrases relate to other
parts of the sentence.
Ex: Will you call Mary, Alice, Lee, and Jason,
or should I?
Will you call Mary Alice, Lee, and Jason or
should I?
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If you have a series of items, use a comma to
separate the items.
The new convertible 2001 Ford and Chevy
pickup were involved in a wreck.
How many vehicles were involved?
The new convertible, 2001 Ford, and Chevy
pickup…
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Place a comma before a coordinating
conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, yet, or for)
that joins two main clauses.
Ex: Today we visited the battlefield at
Gettysburg, and tomorrow we will drive to
Antietam.
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You may omit the comma between very short
main clauses that are connected by a
coordinating conjunction, unless the comma
is needed for clarity.
Ex:Terrance opened the window and a bird
flew in.
Ex: Hank petted the dog and the cat meowed.
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Workbook Page 251
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Use commas to separate three or more
words, phrases, or clauses in a series.
Ex: Snakes, lizards, and crocodiles are all
reptiles.
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No commas are necessary when all of the
items are connected by conjunctions.
Ex: Celia has a boa constrictor and an iguana
and a chameleon.
If you’re using and, or, nor do not use
commas.
The flag is red and white and blue.
The flag might be red or white or blue.
The flag is neither red nor white nor blue.
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Nouns that are used in pairs are usually
considered single units and should not be
separated by commas. If these pairs appear
with other nouns then they should be set off
from the other items.
(salt and pepper, thunder and lightning, red
beans and rice, peanut butter and jelly,
macaroni and cheese)
Place a comma between a coordinating
adjective that precede a noun. To tell whether
adjectives are coordinate, try to reverse their
order or put the word and between them.
The short, dark-haired, handsome hero saved
the day.
I tore off a piece of fragrant, crusty French
bread.
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Workbook page253
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If a quoted sentence is interrupted by words
such as he said or she replied, use commas in
this way:
“For this contest,” he said, “ you need three
pencils and two pieces of paper.”
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Use commas to set off information that is non
essential to the meaning of the sentence.
These phrases can be removed without
changing the meaning of the sentence.
Garret, wearing a necktie for the occasion,
accepted the award.
Zora Neal Hurston, who was born around
1901, is a well-known writer.
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The handsome man over there, the only one
who works in the deli department of the local
supermarket, has black hair and brown eyes.
If you can take out the part in question (the
part you’re questioning for commas) and it
still makes sense, then you should use
commas.
The only man who works in the deli
department of the local supermarket was
arrested for stealing four apples.
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Workbook page 255
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Commas are used after introductory words
such as exclamation, common expressions,
and names used in direct address that are not
necessary for the meaning of the sentence.
Why, don’t you look nice tonight!
Kayla, please help your brother find his
tricycle.
Call me back at your convenience, if you
please.
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Use commas to set off interjections (oh, well),
parenthetical expressions on the contrary, in
fact, by the way), and conjunctive adverbs(
however, moreover, consequently).
Yes, I’d like to try riding a camel.
This train depot, by the way, is creepy.
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Page 257
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When writing out an address (not on separate
lines), use commas as shown below.
Please remit payment to Abby Householder,
42 Old Highway 41 North, Fairhope, AL
36526.
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Put a comma after the day of the week (if
you’ve stated it), the day of the month, and
the year (if the sentence continues):
I'll be seeing you on Friday, February 23,
2001, at seven o’clock.
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If a person’s title or degree follows his or her
name, put commas around it:
Please call Robert House, Ph.D., at your
convenience.
The deposition was given by Edward Breaux,
M.D.