Commas GRAMMAR UNIT 7 LESSON 6

 Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series.  Example: A chair, a table, a lamp, and a sofa were the room’s only furnishings.  The cat ran into the room, across the floor, and up the curtain.  Skim the section titles, study the picture captions, and make a note of any boldface terms. COMMAS IN A SERIES

 When all the items in a series are connected by conjunctions, no commas are necessary.  Example: It was a hot and sunny and humid day in July.  I want a red or black or orange or purple popsicle.  Nouns that are used in pairs to express one idea (thunder and lightning, table and chairs, bread and butter) are considered single units and should not be separated by commas.  Example: My favorite breakfast is toast, bacon and eggs, and tomato juice. COMMAS IN A SERIES

 Coordinate adjectives modify a noun equally.  To determine whether adjectives are coordinate, try to reverse their order or put the word and between them. If the sentence still sounds natural, the adjectives are coordinate.  Place a comma between coordinate adjectives that PRECEDE a noun.  Example: Popeye is a playful, affectionate, intelligent cat. COMMAS AND COORDINATE ADJECTIVES

 Don’t use a comma between adjectives preceding a noun if the adjectives sound unnatural with their order reversed or with and between them.  In general, adjectives that describe size, shape, age, and material do not need to be separated by commas.  Example: Jelani grew up in a small white frame house. COMMAS AND COORDINATE ADJECTIVES

 Commas may be needed between some of the adjectives before a noun and not between others.  Example: I like to read in our bright, cozy family room.  In the preceding sentence, and would sound natural between bright and cozy, but it would not sound natural between cozy and family. COMMAS AND COORDINATE ADJECTIVES

 Use a comma between the main clauses in a compound sentence.  Place commas before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) that joins two main clauses.  Example: I am not going to the concert, for I am too busy.  Many prospectors searched for years, but others found gold at once.  Lindy wanted her own guitar, so she started saving all of her paper-route income. COMMAS AND COMPOUND SENTENCES

 Rewrite each sentence, correcting any errors in the use of commas or other punctuation. 1.Tom was a triumphant happy jolly man. 2.Joe Kathy and Suzie went to the kitchen to make tuna salad ham and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. 3.Mrs Johnson fed her dogs first; then her cats, and then herself. 4.Wylie is a tall, young boy. 5.I went to the bowling alley today; and I’ll go shopping tomorrow. EXERCISE