Bellringer COMMAS Comma rule 1 Use a comma

Bellringer COMMAS

Comma rule #1 Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that introduces an independent clause Independent clause: a phrase that could stand alone as a sentence Coordinating conjunctions: And, but, for, so, yet, nor (FANBOYS)

Comma rule #1 Examples: My sister’s name is Lily, and my brother’s name is Lucas. I am very good in French, and I’m very good in Spanish. Alice slept late, but James got up early.

Comma rule #2 Use a comma after conjunctive adverbs (those are adverbs working as conjunctionsthey link two sentences and show the two are related) Conjunctive adverbs However, finally, furthermore, indeed, meanwhile, nevertheless, therefore, unfortunately

Comma rule #2 Examples: I thought I made a C+ on the test; however, I made a B+. I didn’t study much; nevertheless, I made a good grade. I might not be so lucky next time; therefore, I’m going to study right now!

Comma rule #3 Use a comma after most introductory phrases and clauses How do you tell what’s introductory or not? Find the subject and verb of the sentence Whatever comes before the subject and the verb is usually an introduction

Comma rule #3 Examples: Since my mother forgot to pack me a dessert, I bought some cookies. In June, I will be going to camp. After eating, my cat hiccups.

Comma rule #4 Use commas to emphasize an adverb

Comma rule #4 Examples Laney ran, fast, and got home before her mother. He fell off his bicycle, hard, after he skidded on the loose gravel.

Comma rule #5 Use commas when adjectives come after the noun

Comma rule #5 Examples: My tennis racket, freshly strung and shiny new, will surely bring me good luck in the tournament. My language arts teacher, kind of heart and generous of spirit, will surely give me an A if I learn all these comma rules.

Comma rule #6 Use commas in lists

Comma rule #6 Examples: Please buy eggs, milk, bread, and cereal at the store. We studied math, history, health, and grammar. When I go on vacation, I like playing tennis, rollerblading, and trying to beat my dad at mini-golf.

Comma rule #7 Use commas with cities and states

Comma rule #7 Examples: I was born in Bloomsburg, PA, in 1982. She visited Atlanta, Georgia, last summer. We went to Anaheim, California, on Memorial Day.

Comma rule #8 Use commas with addresses.

Comma rule #8 Examples: The high school is located at 200 W Penn Street, Muncy, PA 17756 The address for the White House is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest, Washington, DC 20500

Comma rule #9 Use commas in numbers over 999 Exceptions: Years Addresses Telephone numbers

Comma rule #9 Examples: There were over 25, 000 fans at the game. She won $1, 500, 000 in the lottery. We spent $360, 000 on the new house.

Comma rule #10 Use commas with direct quotations What someone says

Comma rule #10 Examples: “There’s a monster in my room, ” yelled Kelly. “I’m two years old, ” said Madeline, “and I’m going to be three. ” Atticus said, “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. ”

Comma rule #11 Use commas when speaking directly to someone (this is called direct address)

Comma rule #11 Examples: Keith, it’s time to brush your teeth. I’ve told you twice, boys and girls, to do your homework. Michael and John, stop talking!

Comma rule #12 Use commas with dates

Comma rule #12 Examples: I was born on Thursday, December 23 rd, 1982, in Bloomsburg. Christmas is on Friday, December 25 th, this year. June 6 th, 1944, is the day the Allies invaded Normandy.