USING COMMAS COMMAS What do we use commas

USING COMMAS

COMMAS What do we use commas for?

Commas tell us when to pause in a sentence. If you forget commas, things can get weird:

Adding commas in the wrong place can also seriously change a sentence.

CORRECT, WITH NO COMMA Stop clubbing baby seals.

INCORRECT, WITH COMMA

8 COMMA RULES 1)Use commas to separate items in a list of three or more. Examples: The Cowboys are better than the Panthers, Giants, and Seahawks. I like to play video games, watch movies, and brush my teeth during the summer. My favorite animals are pigs, chickens, and cows.

8 COMMA RULES 2) Use a comma to separate independent clauses (complete thoughts) when they are joined by the following conjunctions: and, or, for, nor, so, but, yet Note: The comma should come BEFORE the conjunction. Example: I wanted to buy cereal, but they were out of Fruity Pebbles. See how “I want to buy cereal. ”, and “They were out of fruity pebbles”. are complete thoughts?

8 COMMA RULES 3) Use a comma to separate a dependent clause (incomplete thought) from an independent clause (complete thought). Example: When I play video games, I usually use exploits. See how “When I play video games” is an incomplete thought and “I usually use exploits. ” is a complete thought?

8 COMMA RULES 4) Use a comma(s) to separate any word or phrase from the rest of the sentence that is not essential to the sentence’s meaning. This phrase usually provides extra information about the subject. �Examples: Cats, who are evil, are valued as pets. See how “who are evil” is not essential? It could be taken out and the sentence would still make sense. “Cats are valued as pets. ”

8 COMMA RULES 5) Use a comma to separate a quotation from the rest of a sentence. Examples: “To infinity and beyond!”, yelled Buzz. “Eyes on me in 1, 2…”, crowed Ms. Cook. “You seem down today. Is everything okay? , ” said Mr. Abe with a concerned look on his face.

8 COMMA RULES 6) Use a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of a sentence. Examples: Sadly, Alabama is ranked number one in the country. Wait, I have to do my homework? ! Unfortunately, cats are in no danger of going extinct.

8 COMMA RULES 7) Use a comma to separate the name of a city from a country or state. Examples: Only bad people went to school in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I lived in Fukuoka, Japan for three years. There will be many sad fans in Columbia, South Carolina on Saturday.

8 COMMA RULES 8) Use a comma to separate the day of the week, the day of the month, and the year. Examples: Mr. Abe was born on October 6, 19 XX. Today is Friday, September 6, 2013. I will be over 4, 000 years old on Wednesday, the 6 th of October, 6385.