Commas for Interrupters and Appositives l Sometimes a

Commas for Interrupters and Appositives

l Sometimes, a word or group of words is inserted into the middle of a sentence l Commas are placed on both sides of the word or group of words Ex: James and I, ironically, don’t look anything alike. Ex: Savanna, my daughter, doesn’t like to wear jeans.

Interrupters vs. Appositives tell more information about the subject of the sentence. Interrupters are usually just introductory phrases or words in the middle of sentences

l There is a definite pause before and after reading the interrupter or appositive l If the appositive or interrupter is taken out of the sentence, the remaining words still form a complete sentence Ex: Tony, my brother, lives in Arizona. Tony lives in Arizona.

Try Some l The bee which was on the screen was buzzing loudly. l Everyone class. l. I even Jean can earn an “A” in her cannot however accept that as a writing.

Commas in a List

Whenever you have a list or series of at least three items, you need to separate them with commas. l Ex: John is athletic, smart, and very funny. Troy used his allowance money to buy a Pepsi, chips, and gum.

Must have three items in the list to use a comma l Don’t use a comma when listing two or less things. ex: Mary liked the Subaru and the Toyota.

Last word in the list of three or more must have the word “and” before it Popcorn, candycorn, and bits of paper were all over the hallway floor.

Lists can be nouns, verbs, or phrases l (noun) He can play the cello, bass guitar, and the drums. l (verb) He can run, jump, and dance better than anybody I know. l (phrase) He takes a shower, eats his breakfast, and then brushes his teeth.

Commas in Addresses and Dates and Friendly Letters

l Commas are needed to separate like items in addresses and dates. ex: December 25, 2008 ex: Waterford, Wisconsin 53938

Commas in Letters l In FRIENDLY letters, use a comma after the “Dear ______, ” part of the letter (Greeting) l In FRIENDLY letters, use a comma after the “Love, ” part of a letter (Closing)

Sample Letter Dear John, I don’t want to go out with you any more. Sorry. Sincerely, Shaina

Commas in Compound Sentences

What is a compound sentence? l Two complete sentences joined together with a conjunction - for - and - nor - but - or - yet - so

Where does the comma go? l He loved math class, but he hated science. (the comma goes BEFORE the conjunction)

Do I add a comma anytime I use a conjunction word? l Margie and Janie went to the zoo, and Ron and Beth went to a movie. (ONLY put a comma before a conjunction when it is connecting two complete sentences, NOT two nouns, verbs, or adjectives)

Complete Sentences l. A complete sentence contains a subject and a predicate. l. A COMPOUND sentence contains TWO COMPLETE sentences. Ex. I don’t believe in UFO’s, but I do believe in angels.

Examples l Ex: My best friend and my sister do not like each other, so we don’t hang around much together. l Ex: We had donuts and pop, yet the others classes had nothing.

NON- Examples l My brother has lived in California, and Arizona, but he wants to move back to Iowa. l. I will eat the fish, and then get sick.

Try Some l The Cascade and the Rocky Mountains are beautiful so we need to make sure to see them someday. l Alan bought the computer but not the fancy keyboard. l They were allowed to play games and eat popcorn yet they hadn’t finished their work.

Commas in Letters Commas in Titles After People’s Names

Commas in Letters l In FRIENDLY letters, use a comma after the “Dear ______, ” part of the letter (Greeting) l In FRIENDLY letters, use a comma after the “Love, ” part of a letter (Closing)

Sample Letter Dear John, I don’t want to go out with you any more. Sorry. Sincerely, Shaina

Titles in People’s Names l When a person’s name includes a title at the end, separate the title from the rest of the name with a comma Ex: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Common Title Abbreviations l M. D. l Ph. D. l R. N. l Ed. D l Sr. l Jr. l M. S.

Examples l Shelley Gerjets, M. Ed. l Dr. Laura Robb, Ph. D. l George Bush, Sr. l Betty Randall, R. N.

Introductory Words and Interjections at the Beginning of a Sentence

Definition: Introductory words are words that come at the beginning of a sentence that could be taken away and you would still be left with a complete sentence. Ex: Yes, No, Well, First, Next, Finally Definition: Interjections are words that show feeling or call attention. They can be used alone or at the beginning of a sentence. Ex: Yo, Hey, Gee, Darn, Well, Oops,

Rule: When used at the beginning of a sentence, put a comma after them Ex: Yo, I need some help over here. No, I don’t want any more popcorn shrimp. Hey, do you want to go to Taft Park tonight?

Commas Around the Word “too”

Rule: If you want to show emphasis, you may put commas around the word “too” when used in the middle or at the end of a sentence.

Rule: If you want to show emphasis, you may put commas around the word “too” when used in the middle or at the end of a sentence. Ex: I could tell he was interested in it, too. I, too, am a native Eskimo.

Names in a Direct Address

Names in a Direct Address l “direct address” means you are talking to the person you are naming in the sentence l The name can be used at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence

examples John, I hope that you feel better tomorrow. Don’t listen to him, John, because he has been known to lie. I hope you understood what I was telling you, John.

Do NOT put commas around names when you are just talking about someone l Ex: I don’t think John understands that algebra stuff. l John isn’t in Mrs. Wasoba’s class.

Try some l Listen John to the announcements on the intercom. l John l Will will go to wrestling practice tonight. you take this down to the office John?

Notes -Put commas around names when you are talking to someone in a sentence Ex: Bob, shut the door. Shut the door, Bob. Please, Bob, will you shut the door.

Using ‘s Appropriately

Words that end in “s” Many words in the English language end with an “s” - plural nouns (nouns showing more than one of something) ex. dogs cats students books

Words that end in s l - some present tense verbs (action words happening right now) ex. runs jumps talks

Words that end in ‘s l Singular possessive nouns (one person or thing OWNING or POSSESSING another) ex: - Ron’s car - Jimmy’s notebook - the rat’s tail - Mr. Wasoba’s class

Words that end in ‘s l Contractions with the word “is” (two words put together, the second word being “is”) ex: it’s = it is there’s = there is here’s = here is what’s = what is she’s = she is he’s = he is Shelley’s = Shelley is

Colons

colons and semicolons colon : semicolon ;

There are only a few times when writers use colons in their writing. We will focus on two. Colons before a list 2. Colons signaling something of extreme importance 1.

BIG rules for these two colon rules You can only use a colon AFTER a complete sentence.

A colon introduces a list. It is important to remember that a colon introduces a list only when the list is attached to a completed complete sentence. We sent copies to the 8 th grade teachers: Mrs. Brown, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Matters, Mrs. Gerjets, and Mr. Wasoba. She needed to complete many chores: the laundry, cleaning the bathroom, and vacuuming the living room carpet.

Use a colon to signal a name or description at the end of a sentence when you want to put a lot of emphasis on that name or description. He was given a nickname by his friends because his dad worked for Frito Lay: Chippy. She only knew one thing for certain: he was the most gorgeous guy she had ever seen.

Hyphens

Most common hyphen uses l Used in some compound words l Used in compound numbers

Hyphens in Compound Words l There are three forms of compound words: the closed form, in which the words are melded together, such as firefly, secondhand, softball, childlike, crosstown, redhead, keyboard, makeup, notebook; l and the open form, such as post office, real estate, middle class, full moon, half sister, attorney general. l the hyphenated form, such as daughter-in-law, master-at-arms, over-the-counter, six-pack, six-yearold, mass-produced;

Hyphens in Compound Numbers l Numbers from 21 through 99, when written in words, need to have a hyphen. l Ex: twenty-two six hundred and forty-eight ninety-eight