““Where does that Where does that comma go???”comma go???”

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There are many There are many different ways to use a different ways to use a

comma!comma!Let’s learn Let’s learn them all!them all!

First of all… “What is a comma?”

DefinitionDefinition: Generally used to separate words or groups of words so that the

meaning of the sentence is clear.

Don’t get a comma Don’t get a comma confused with an confused with an

apostrophe! apostrophe!

Apostrophes Apostrophes are at the are at the

top; commas top; commas are at the are at the bottom!bottom!

ApostropheApostrophe,,,, ,,,, ,,

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In the early morning, the lake looked cold, gray, and calm.

Words in a SeriesWords in a Series:

On the boat, we took extra clothes, fishing poles, and some snacks.

Words, Phrases, and Clauses in a series are usually separated by commas to show the reader where one item in the series

ends and the next begins.

Rule #1: USE COMMAS FOR ITEMS IN A SERIES

Phrases in a SeriesChecking his shoelaces fastening his helmet strap and

positioning his kneepads Brandon prepared for the

skateboarding competition. What is a phrase What is a phrase

again?!again?!

A group of words that A group of words that does does notnot have a S & V have a S & V

togethertogether

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Where Where do the do the commacommas go?s go?

Clauses in Clauses in a Seriesa SeriesThe lights dimmed the curtain rose

and the play began. We didn’t know where we were going how we would get there or when we would arrive.

What is a clause again?What is a clause again?

Group of words with a S & V. It can stand alone.

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Where do the Where do the commas go?commas go?

Use Commas to Separate 2 or Use Commas to Separate 2 or More Adjectives Before a NounMore Adjectives Before a Noun

Pomeranians are Pomeranians are smallsmall energeticenergetic dogs. dogs.,,These These intelligentintelligent loyalloyal playfulplayful pets pets

always enjoy a challenge.always enjoy a challenge.,, ,,

NOTE!Repeated Conjunction

*If all of the items in a series *If all of the items in a series are joined by are joined by andand, , oror, or , or nornor, , do NOT use commas to do NOT use commas to separate them!separate them!

I voted for Corey I voted for Corey and and Mona Mona andand Ethan in the Ethan in the

student council student council election.election.

ExampleExample

ananddananddananddananddorororororornornornornornornor

STEPS:STEPS:1. Get in groups of 4 (with people beside

you).

2.2. Take out a piece of paper: 1 per group.Take out a piece of paper: 1 per group.

3. Write down 1 sentence using words in a series, 1 sentence using phrases in a series, & 1 sentence using clauses in a series with commas used correctly.

4.4. The 1The 1stst group done correctly wins a group done correctly wins a prize!!!!prize!!!!

Let’s Practice!1.1. The delicate colorful wings of the hummingbird vibrate as The delicate colorful wings of the hummingbird vibrate as

many as two hundred times each second.many as two hundred times each second.

Place commas where needed!Place commas where needed!

2. The cool soft wind blew across the forest.2. The cool soft wind blew across the forest.

3. Last week I read the novel 3. Last week I read the novel The Lucky StoneThe Lucky Stone the short story the short story Flowers for AlgernonFlowers for Algernon and the poem and the poem Legacy IILegacy II..

4. I want to visit Thailand Nepal 4. I want to visit Thailand Nepal China and Japan.China and Japan.

5. I sanded the the boards Jennifer 5. I sanded the the boards Jennifer

primed them and Paul painted them.primed them and Paul painted them.

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Items in a SeriesItems in a Series!!

Rule # 2Rule # 2: : Compound SentencesCompound Sentences: Use a : Use a comma before a coordinating comma before a coordinating conjunction when it joins conjunction when it joins independent clauses in a compound independent clauses in a compound sentence.sentence.FANBOYSFANBOYS

ForForAndAndNorNorButBut

OrOrYetYetSoSo

I enjoyed I enjoyed A Christmas CarolA Christmas Carol butbut Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet is still my is still my

favorite play.favorite play.

,,I enjoy plays and movies.I enjoy plays and movies.

No comma needed b/c No comma needed b/c there are not there are not 22

independent clauses.independent clauses.I enjoy going to playsI enjoy going to plays andand

my sister likes them toomy sister likes them too..2 Indep. Clauses & a Conjunction so 2 Indep. Clauses & a Conjunction so

we need a comma!we need a comma!

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STEPS:STEPS:1.1. Get a PartnerGet a Partner

2.2. Take out your lined index cardTake out your lined index card

3.3. Lined side: Write 5 sentences Lined side: Write 5 sentences using 1 coord. conj. in each using 1 coord. conj. in each sentence & do NOT use commas.sentence & do NOT use commas.

4.4. Unlined side: Write the same 5 Unlined side: Write the same 5 sentences using commas. sentences using commas.

5.5. Give to Mrs. Duncan when done!Give to Mrs. Duncan when done!

Rule #3Rule #3: Interrupters: InterruptersUse commas to set off an expression Use commas to set off an expression

that interrupts a sentencethat interrupts a sentence2 commas are used with interrupters: 1 goes before the 2 commas are used with interrupters: 1 goes before the

expression, and 1 goes after.expression, and 1 goes after.

EXAMPLEEXAMPLE::Elise born in Texas moved Elise born in Texas moved to Colorado before coming to Colorado before coming to Ohioto Ohio. .

,, ,,What’s the interrupter?What’s the interrupter?

So where do the commas go?So where do the commas go?

Interrupters ContinuedInterrupters Continued……

Born in Texas Elise moved to Colorado before coming Born in Texas Elise moved to Colorado before coming to Ohio.to Ohio.

Some interrupting expressions come at the beginning or Some interrupting expressions come at the beginning or end of a sentence. In this case, only 1 comma is needed.end of a sentence. In this case, only 1 comma is needed.

The applications were mailed three days ago by the The applications were mailed three days ago by the way.way.

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Where does the comma

go?

Nonessential & Essential…there’s Nonessential & Essential…there’s a differencea difference

A.K.A. Needed & Not NeededA.K.A. Needed & Not NeededNonessential Nonessential DefinitionDefinition::Example:Example:

This small turtle, This small turtle, crossing the crossing the street slowlystreet slowly, was in danger., was in danger.

A phrase or clause that is not A phrase or clause that is not needed in a sentence. Doesn’t take needed in a sentence. Doesn’t take away from the meaning.away from the meaning.

Essential DefinitionEssential Definition::Adds info that makes the N or Prn it Adds info that makes the N or Prn it identifies more specific. DO NOT SET identifies more specific. DO NOT SET OFF AN ESSENTIAL PHRASE!!!OFF AN ESSENTIAL PHRASE!!!

NO COMMAS NO COMMAS NEEDED!NEEDED!

ExampleExample::

All farmers All farmers growing the new hybrid corngrowing the new hybrid corn should have a good harvest.should have a good harvest.

We need this info or the sentence We need this info or the sentence changes meaning totally! SO… no changes meaning totally! SO… no commas needed!commas needed!

Let’s Practice a Few…Let’s Practice a Few…1. Leonardo Dicaprio the actor has appeared in many films.1. Leonardo Dicaprio the actor has appeared in many films.

2. The composer Mozart wrote 5 short piano pieces when he was 6. 2. The composer Mozart wrote 5 short piano pieces when he was 6.

3. The card game canasta is descended from mah-jongg an 3. The card game canasta is descended from mah-jongg an ancient Chinese game. ancient Chinese game.

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Use Commas to Set off Words of Use Commas to Set off Words of Direct AddressDirect Address

Examples:Examples:

Mrs. ClarksonMrs. Clarkson, , this package is this package is addressed to you.addressed to you.

Do you knowDo you know, , OdessaOdessa,, when when the next bus is coming?the next bus is coming?

I’d like to go nowI’d like to go now,, Jeff. Jeff.

Using a Comma When Using a Comma When Speaking to Someone Can Speaking to Someone Can

Make a Big Difference! Make a Big Difference! (LOL!!!)(LOL!!!)

For Example…For Example…

Let’s eat Grandpa!Let’s eat Grandpa!

Let’s eat, Grandpa!Let’s eat, Grandpa!

Ahhh!Ahhh!

Rule # 4Rule # 4: Introductory Words, : Introductory Words, Phrases, & ClausesPhrases, & ClausesUse a comma after certain introductory elements.Use a comma after certain introductory elements.

Focusing on Focusing on WordsWords 1 1stst::Use a comma to set off a mild exclamation such as: Use a comma to set off a mild exclamation such as: wellwell, , ohoh, or , or whywhy at the beginning of a sentence. at the beginning of a sentence.Other words such as Other words such as yesyes and and nono are also set off with are also set off with commas!commas!

ExamplesExamples::

1.1.Well I think we should ask for Well I think we should ask for help.help.

2.2.Yes I understand the problem.Yes I understand the problem.

““Where Where should the should the comma go?”comma go?”,,

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Focusing on Introductory Phrases Focusing on Introductory Phrases & Clauses Now& Clauses Now……

Use a comma after anUse a comma after an introductory phrase introductory phrase or or clause.clause.

If an introductory prep. If an introductory prep. phrase is long, USE A phrase is long, USE A COMMA!COMMA!ExampleExample: : At night in the desertAt night in the desert,, the the temperature falls rapidly.temperature falls rapidly.

If an introductory prep. phrase is If an introductory prep. phrase is short, a comma short, a comma MAY or MAY NOTMAY or MAY NOT be be used!used!

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES::

In the morningIn the morning,, we’ll tour our favorite we’ll tour our favorite sites.sites.

In the morningIn the morning we’ll tour our favorite sites. we’ll tour our favorite sites.

Either way works!!!Either way works!!!

Commas with Verbal Phrases!Commas with Verbal Phrases!

Use a comma after a Use a comma after a verbal phrase that verbal phrase that

introduces a introduces a sentence!sentence!Examples:Examples:

Signaling the referee for a Signaling the referee for a time outtime out, the coach gathered , the coach gathered her players for a pep talk.her players for a pep talk.

To keep your bones strong To keep your bones strong ,, be sure be sure to eat foods rich in calcium.to eat foods rich in calcium. Gumball QuestionGumball Question!: What !: What

is a verbal phrase?is a verbal phrase?

HINT!HINT!

As a general As a general rulerule……When you start a When you start a sentence with a sentence with a phrase or a phrase or a clause, clause, usuallyusually you need a you need a comma after it!comma after it!

When When you’re you’re

writing…writing…

Practice Makes Practice Makes Perfect!Perfect!Turn in Your Textbooks to Turn in Your Textbooks to

Pages 371-372!Pages 371-372!

Let’s Move & Put Let’s Move & Put Some on the Bard!Some on the Bard!

Oops…I Mean Oops…I Mean Board!Board!

RULE # 5RULE # 5:Conventional :Conventional Situations Situations (Dates, Addresses, (Dates, Addresses, Letters)Letters)1. 1. Dates & AddressesDates & Addresses

Where should the commas Where should the commas go in the following go in the following examples?examples?January 7 2010January 7 2010

Mike JonesMike Jones

1456 Palm Lane1456 Palm Lane

Lakewood California 87653Lakewood California 87653

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Dear Aunt SallyDear Aunt SallyWhat a great time I had at What a great time I had at your house last week Your your house last week Your two dogs Buffy and Pepper two dogs Buffy and Pepper certainly kept me entertained certainly kept me entertained I’ve really missed taking I’ve really missed taking them for walks and playing them for walks and playing fetch When summer begins fetch When summer begins I could come visit again I could come visit again Anyway thank you very Anyway thank you very much for inviting me.much for inviting me.

SincerelySincerely

JamesJames

1113 Collins St1113 Collins St

Fort Worth TX 76106Fort Worth TX 76106

September 16 2010September 16 2010

Fix any Fix any mistakes in mistakes in the letter!the letter!

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Nice Job!Nice Job!

““Congratulations!”Congratulations!”

““Now You’re a Now You’re a Comma Pro!!!”Comma Pro!!!”