Weeks 14, 15

When do you think we use commas???

Commas... So misunderstood! Commas are the most misused and abused punctuation marks in all of English. There are several rules. We will talk about _______ rules for commas. Don’t be overwhelmed. They are a lot easier than you think!

Rule 1: Lists Use a comma to set off the elements of a list (three or more things), including the last two. Example: My favorite things about Christmas are snow food and egg nog! *Note* You may have learned that the last comma in the list is not needed, but it is! The last item is part of the list and needs to be treated as such.

Rule 2: Separate Independent Clauses Use a comma and a ___________ conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two ___________ clauses. Example: I need to go shopping before the storm gets here and I need to buy my sled for the snow! *Note* These are both independent clauses! If my sentence were this.... “I need to go shopping before the snow storm gets here, and buy my sled for the snow.” would not work. Why????

Rule 3: Separate Dependent Clause Introduction from Independent Clause When your sentence begins with a dependent clause, you must use a comma to separate it from the independent clause. The previous sentence is a good example! Example: When winter vacation comes I will bake cookies for my neighbors.

Rule 4:Coordinate Adjectives Sometimes we use several _________ in a sentence to describe or modify a ________ or a _________. We have to separate these adjectives with a comma. Example: Winter is cold dark and snowy. The beautiful green tree is one of my favorite parts of Christmas. *Note* If you could but an and or a but between the adjectives, a comma should go there.

Rule 5: Cities and States, Dates, and Titles Commas separate a city and state. Example: When we write letters to Santa, make sure you put Bowling Green KY on your envelope. Commas separate the day of the week from the date. Example: We will be out of school on Wednesday December 19 th.

Rule 5: Continued... Commas separate the date from the year. Example: We will be out of school on Wednesday December 19 th Commas separate someone’s title from his or her name. Example: Mr. Cassady Principal of Rockfield declared school out early for winter vacation.

Rule 6: Quotes We use commas to set off quotes. Example: Ms. Dilsaver said “I love egg nog around the holidays.” “I love egg nog!” Ms. Dilsaver said. Ms. Dilsaver said “At the holidays” while she smiled “I love egg nog!” *Note* There are lots of different ways to use commas with quotation marks. Don’t overuse them, however.

Rule 7: Parenthetical Elements Parenthetical elements are just __________ information in a sentence. Example: Ms. Dilsaver our Language Arts teacher is obsessed with writing sentences about the holidays! Have you ever seen A Christmas Story the best Christmas movie ever on the TBS marathon Christmas Eve?

Rule 8: Don’t overuse commas! The biggest problem people have with commas is overusing them. Don’t love them too much! They have a place, just not in every place in your sentence. Don’t have a comma-tastrophe!