Commas Commas are used to separate words and groups of words so that the meaning of a sentence is clear.

Commas should be used to… …separate items in a series. Examples: George ate broccoli, green beans, and peas. Clarissa wanted to have a snack, watch TV, and go to sleep. Your Turn! Copy the five sentences and add commas to separate words or groups of words so that the meaning of the sentence is clear. 1. Carlos Anna and I made a piñata filled it with small toys and hung it from a tree. 2. The four states that have produced the most U.S. presidents are Virginia Ohio Massachusetts and New York. 3. The school band includes clarinets trumpets tubas flutes trombones and drums. 4. Most flutes used by professional musicians are made of sterling silver fourteen carat gold or platinum. 5. We know what we will write about where we will find sources and how we will organize our reports.

Commas should be used to… …separate two or more adjectives that come before a noun. EXAMPLES: An Arabian horse is a fast, beautiful animal. Many ranchers depended on the small, tough, sure-footed mustang. HINT: If you can place “and” between the two adjectives and it makes sense use a comma. EXAMPLE: Mary O’Hara wrote a tender suspenseful story about a young boy and his colt.,

Your Turn! Copy each sentence. Add commas to separate two or more adjectives that come before a noun. 1.They made a clubhouse in the empty unused storage shed. 2.This book describes the harsh isolated lives of pioneer women in Kansas. 3.What a lovely haunting melody that tune has! 4.Charlayne Hunter-Gault’s skillful probing interviews have made her a respected broadcast journalist. 5.The delicate colorful wings of the hummingbird vibrate up to two-hundred times each second.

Commas should be used to… …separate clauses in compound sentences. (before coordinating conjunctions when they join independent clauses.) HINT: Remember FANBOYS or nd or ut r et o Coordination Conjunctions! EXAMPLES: -The musical comedy began as an American musical form, and its popularity has spread throughout the world. -I enjoyed The King and I, but Oklahoma is still my favorite musical.

Your Turn! 1.Human beings must study to become architects yet some animals build amazing structures by instinct. 2.The male bird builds a complex structure and decorates it carefully to attract a mate. 3.This bird constructs a dome-shaped garden in a small tree and underneath the tree he lays a carpet of moss. 4. Then, he gathers twigs and arranges them in a three-foot-wide circle around the display. 5. Tailor ants might be called the ant world’s high-rise workers for they gather leaves and sew them around tree twigs to make nests. Copy the sentences and add commas where needed. If none are needed write “C” next to the sentence. Remember FANBOYS!

Commas should be used to… …set off an expression that interrupts a sentence. 1. A nonessential or nonrestrictive phrase or clause adds information that isn’t needed to understand the meaning sentence. What interrupts a sentence? The spider web, shining in the morning light, looked like sparkling lace. 2. An appositive or appositive phrase that isn’t needed to understand the meaning of the sentence. My best friend, Nancy, is studying ballet. 3. Words used in a direct address. Mom, this gift is for you. Do you know, Mr. Brown, when the next bus will arrive? 4. A parenthetical expression. This is a side remark that adds information or relates ideas. What, in your opinion, is the best solution?

1. A nonessential or nonrestrictive phrase or clause adds information that isn’t needed to understand the meaning sentence. HINT: Ask yourself ”Can I omit this phrase or clause without changing the meaning of the sentence? EXAMPLE: Harvard College, founded in 1636, is the oldest college in the U.S. 1.Gloria badly injured in a bus accident in 1990 made a remarkable comeback the following year. 2.The accident which occurred in March almost severed her spinal column. 3.The months of physical therapy required after the accident were painful for the singer. YOUR TURN! Copy the sentences and add commas where needed. If the sentence is correct, write “C” next to the sentence.

2. An appositive or appositive phrase that isn’t needed to understand the meaning of the sentence. HINT: Ask yourself ”Can I omit this phrase or clause without changing the meaning of the sentence? EXAMPLES: -The Rio Grande, one of the major rivers of North America, forms the border between Texas and Mexico. -The main character in many of Agatha Christie's mystery novels is the detective Hercule Poirot. Correct YOUR TURN! Copy the sentences and add commas where needed. If the sentence is correct, write “C” next to the sentence. 1.Katy Jurado the actress has appeared in many films. 2.The composer Mozart wrote five short piano pieces. 3.Harper Lee the author of To Kill a Mockingbird is from Alabama.

HINT: Ask yourself ”Can I omit this phrase or clause without changing the meaning of the sentence? EXAMPLES: -Are you hungry, Joe, or did you eat lunch already? -Come over here, Dan. 3. Words used in a direct address YOUR TURN! Copy the sentences and add commas where needed. 1.Ms. Smith will you schedule me for the computer lab tomorrow? 2.Have you signed up for a baseball team yet David? 3.Your time was good in the hurtles Jane but I know you can do better.

4. A parenthetical expression. This is a side remark that adds information or relates ideas. HINT: Ask yourself ”Can I omit this phrase or clause without changing the meaning of the sentence? EXAMPLES: -Traveling by boat may take longer, however. -I think, generally speaking, that country music is awful. YOUR TURN! Copy the sentences and add commas where needed. 1.The test of course covered material from the entire chapter. 2.Your subject should I think be limited further. 3.Cilantro by the way is the Spanish name for the herb Coriander.

Commas should be used to… …set off introductory words, phrases, and clauses. YOUR TURN! -No I did not like the movie at all. -In Fitzgerald’s novel the color green is symbolic. - To win the game Connor needed skill and luck. INTRODUCTORY WORDS Use a comma after yes, no, or any mild exclamation such as well or why at the beginning of a sentence. EXAMPLES: -Yes, I understand the problem. -Well, I think we should ask for help. INTRODUCTORY PHRASE OR CLAUSE -Underneath the rock, we found an earthworm. -To defend her honor, he accepted the challenge. -When March came, the ice finally melted.

Commas should be used to... …separate items in dates and addresses EXAMPLE: Her address is 648 Higgins Road, Chicago, IL Commas should be used... …after the salutation of a friendly letter. EXAMPLE: Dear Aunt Margaret,