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Comma Rules

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8 views

Comma Rules

Uploaded by

jessicakaylee98
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Comma Rules

Using the Comma Correctly


Using Commas in
Compound Sentences
Rule: Use a comma before the
conjunction between the two
main clauses of a compound
sentence.
The Indians won the pennant, but
they lost the World Series.
Beth dove into the pool, and she
rescued the drowning boy.
Using Commas in a
Series

Rule: Use a comma after


every item in a series except
the last one.

A series is three or more items of


the same kind. Your writing may
contain a series of words,
phrases, or clauses.
Using Commas in a
Series

WORDS: To make a soda, mix


syrup, ice cream, and soda
water.
PHRASES: We searched under
beds, inside drawers, and in
closets.
CLAUSES: Lightning flashed,
Using Commas in a
Series

Rule: Use commas after first,


second, third, and so on, when
these adverbs introduce a
series.
There are four steps to any house
painting job: first, scraping;
second, sanding; third, priming;
and fourth, painting.
Using Commas in a
Series

Rule: When two or more


adjectives of equal rank modify a
noun in the same way, place a
comma between them. These
adjectives are called coordinate
adjectives.
Tired crews of workers picked
grapes in the hot, dusty fields.
Using Commas in a
Series

There is a two-part test for


coordinate adjectives:
1. Can you replace the comma
with the word and?
2. Can you reverse the order of
the adjectives and keep the same
meaning?
Using Commas in a
Series

Example:
Tired crews of workers picked
grapes in the hot, dusty fields.
Tests for correctness:
They picked grapes in the hot and dusty
fields. Make sense?
They picked grapes in the dusty, hot
fields. Has the meaning changed?
Using Commas with
Introductory Words
Rule: Use a comma to separate
an introductory word, long phrase,
or clause from the rest of the
sentence.
Commas are used after
introductory words like yes and no.
They are also used after
prepositional phrases, verbal
Using Commas with
Introductory Words
INTRODUCTORY WORD:
No, I’m not going out tonight.
INTRODUCTORY PHRASE:
After four rounds with the champ,
Evander Holyfield went down for the
count.
INTRODUCTORY CLAUSE:
When you wish upon a star, your
dreams come true.
Using Commas with
Interrupters
Rule: Use commas to set off one
or more words that interrupt the
flow of thought in a sentence.
Will, however, won the state
championship.
Cedar Point, I think, has
increased the cost of admission.
Using Commas with
Nouns of Direct Address

Rule: Use commas to set off


nouns of direct address.
Sometimes when you speak or
write to someone, you use the
person’s name. The name of
someone directly spoken to is a
noun of direct address.
Using Commas with
Nouns of Direct Address

Rule: Use commas to set off


nouns of direct address.
Examples:
Hannah, get over here!
In the hallway, Mark, is a package for
you.
It’s time to eat, Grandma.
Using Commas with
Appositives

Rule: Use commas to set off


appositives.
An appositive is one or more
words that explain or identify
another word. The appositive
directly follows the word it
explains.
Using Commas with
Appositives

Roger Ebert, a movie critic, has a


column in The Chicago Sun-Times.
Our assistant coach, Mr. Wagner,
played with the Jets.
Lincoln Logs, the building blocks
for children, were designed by a
famous architect’s son.
Using Commas to
Avoid Confusion
Rule: Use a comma whenever the
reader might otherwise be
confused. Sometimes no rule
applies, but a sentence might be
misread without commas:
The intruder you saw saw you.
Inside everything was a mess.
Whoever called called twice.
Using Commas to
Avoid Confusion
Without commas, the following sentences could be
misunderstood:

The intruder you saw saw you.


Inside everything was a mess.
Whoever called called twice.

With commas, the sentences are clearer.

The intruder you saw, saw you.


Inside, everything was a mess.
Whoever called, called twice.
Using Commas in Dates
Rule: Use a comma between the
day of the month and the year. If
the sentence continues, use a
comma after the year.
July 4, 1776 May 8,
1948

Edison students leave on March


Using Commas in
Place Names
Rule: Use a comma between the name of
a city and its state or country. If the
sentence continues, use a comma after
the state or country, too.
Los Angeles, California
Athens, Greece
Cleveland, Ohio, is the home of the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Using Commas in
Friendly Letters

Rule: Use a comma after the


salutation and the complimentary
close of a friendly letter.

Dear Megan,

Yours truly,
Using Commas in
Direct Quotations
Rule: Use commas to set off the
speaker tag when writing a direct
quotation. Speaker tags are
statements like he said, Greg
replied, or Heather asked. They
are not part of the quotation.
Using Commas in
Direct Quotations

A speaker tag may precede the


quotation. When it does, use a
comma after the speaker tag.

John said, “Take I-77 North to


Akron.”
Using Commas in
Direct Quotations
A speaker tag often follows the
quotation. When it does, use a
comma at the end of the
quotation. Remember that the
comma belongs inside the
quotation marks.
“Take I-77 North to Akron,” John
said.
Using Commas in
Direct Quotations

Sometimes a quotation is broken


into two parts. The speaker tag
separates the two parts. This kind
of quotation is called a divided
quotation.
“Take I-77,” John said, “north to
Akron.”
Using Commas in
Direct Quotations
In a divided quotation, a comma is used
within the quotation marks at the end
of the first part of a sentence. A comma
is also used after the speaker tag.
Remember that the end punctuation
belongs inside the quotation marks.

“Take I-77,” John said, “north to


Akron.”

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