Commas
Commas in a Series
• Use commas to separate _______ or more words, phrases, and short clauses in a series.
• Example: It takes exactly 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 47.8 seconds to go around the sun.
• Use no commas when all items are connected by __________________________________.
• Josh seems as carefree and jaunty and happy-go-lucky as ever.
Commas to Separate Adjectives
• Use commas to separate two or more coordinate ____________________ that modify the same noun.
• She is a slow, careful worker.
• Ben is a cheerful, likeable person.
• Notice that _____________ can be substituted for the comma. However, if you cannot substitute and without changing the meaning, the adjectives are not coordinate, and no comma is needed.
• Lauren knitted a dark brown sweater for her sister.
• It does not make sense to say, “Lauren knitted a dark and brown sweater.”
Commas to Separate Dates
• When a date has __________ or more parts, use a comma after each item, except between the month and date.
• The story was read on Thursday, April 20, 2009.
• Make sure to place a comma after the year if it is not at the ______________ of the sentence.
• February 8, 1992, was the day I was born.
Commas to Separate Addresses
• When an address has two or more parts, use a comma after each item, except between the ________________________________________________________.
• Address the letter to Rita Watson, 520 West Legion, Apartment 8G, Evansville, Wisconsin 53536.
Commas for Interrupters
• Use commas to set off non-essential phrases and clauses.
• The difference between a non-essential and an essential clause is this: When the clause is ____________________, does the meaning of the sentence ____________________?
• Examples: (Decide if the portion in italics is essential or non-essential. If it is non-essential, place commas correctly
• Teenagers who can’t drive properly should be kept off the highways.
• I visited Mount Rushmore located in South Dakota last week.
Commas for Appositive Phrases
• Use commas to set off appositive phrases, if it’s not essential to the meaning of the sentence.
• An appositive phrase explains or ____________________ what comes before it.
• Examples:
• Susan, our team’s outstanding center, fouled out of the game.
Commas for Parenthetical Expressions and Interjections
• Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions which interrupt the main thought of the sentence.
• I will understand, of course, if you are unable to attend.
• Use commas to set off words like yes, no, well, and oh when used at the ____________________ of a sentence.
• Oh, I didn’t see you standing there.
Commas for Direct Address
• Use commas to set off a ____________________ __________ or other words that stand for a person when they are used in direct address.
• The President said, “My fellow Americans, I am speaking to you about a matter of utmost importance.”
• Jennifer, can you help me study for my physics test?
Commas to Set off Introductory Phrases and Clauses
• Put a comma after an ____________________ phrase or clause.
• Even though Alex set the alarm, it didn’t go off.
• Thinking the alarm was set, he didn’t worry.
Commas Between Independent Clauses
• Use a comma to separate two independent clauses with a ________________________________________. The comma is placed ____________________ the coordinating conjunction.
• Dr. Frazier was tired, yet she still had four more hours on her shift.
• To remember the coordinating conjunctions, remember FANBOYS: ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
Commas to Separate ____________________ Elements
• Use a comma when you are presenting to different ideas or contrasting elements in a sentence.
• Examples:
• Throw your dirty socks in the hamper, not on the floor.
• The harder we tried to paint neatly, the messier it looked.