Comma Review

Use a comma between all items in a series. My favorite colors are green, orange, and pink. I enjoy reading, shopping, and writing.

You also use commas in quotations! “I want to go to the movies,” said Jane. The comma goes INSIDE the quotation marks.

A compound sentence contains An independent clause is a sentence Compound Sentences A compound sentence contains 2 independent clauses. An independent clause is a sentence that can stand alone. Example: I went to the store. (Independent Clause)

Examples I was sick, so I didn’t go to school today. (Both are independent clauses.) I went to the mall, but I didn’t buy anything I love to read and watch television. *There is not a comma because it does not join 2 independent clauses

An appositive phrase is set apart by commas. Appositive Phrases An appositive phrase follows a noun or pronoun and describes or gives more information about that noun or pronoun. An appositive phrase is set apart by commas. Jack, the tallest boy in the class , volunteered to hang the poster.

Introductory Prepositional Phrases An introductory prepositional phrase is found at the very beginning of a sentence. The phrase begins with a preposition and ends with a noun. During the last three summers, I worked at Target.

To separate two adjectives It was a cold, snowy day. The tall, handsome man came into the store. You do NOT use a comma if one of the adjectives is a color or a number. The three blind mice ran from the cat. The girl wore a bright pink jacket.

Semicolons

When do you use a semicolon? To join two independent clauses without a conjunction It rained heavily during the afternoon; we managed to have our picnic anyway. The word after the semicolon is NOT capitalized!

Conjunctive adverbs are adverbs that join two independent clauses. With conjunctive adverbs (however, for example, therefore, instead) Conjunctive adverbs are adverbs that join two independent clauses. It rained heavily during the afternoon; however, we managed to have our picnic anyway. There is a comma after the conjunctive adverb.

You can use a semicolon to separate items in a series if the elements of the series already include commas. Team 702 teachers are Mrs. Gruntmeir, math; Mr. Toney, geography; Mrs. Wolf, science; and Mrs. Coke, English.

Sally said “I want to go to the mall.” Practice ; , Sue was sad that they lost the game however she was still proud of her team. , , It was a cold rainy day but I still went to the park. Sally said “I want to go to the mall.” ,

James has been very sick he hasn’t been to school in a week. ; James has been very sick he hasn’t been to school in a week. , , Sally who was the oldest child had her own room. , Under the pile of clothes I found my other shoe. , “I can’t wait for Friday” said Jennifer.