1. Comma Rules 1-3

2. Rule 1 Use a comma to separate items in a series.

3. Examples 3 items I like falafel tabouli and hummus. 2 commas

4. Examples 4 items I read poetry novels memoirs and plays. 3 commas

5. Examples It doesn’t matter how many items are listed. The man complained of back achesheadaches stomach achesdry skinbad breathstinky feet weak kneespoor eyesight heartburn itchy scalptoe fungusand a strange mole on his back. Every item needs to be separated by a comma!

6. Rule 2 Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives preceding (in front of) a noun.

7. Example The angry bitter woman gave the guy a an evil glare. The woman is described as angry and bitter, so we put a comma in between the two adjectives.

8. Example The student claimed his dog ate his homework. cool aloof Where are the adjectives in this sentence? Where does the comma go?

9. Rule 3 Place a comma before a conjunction when it joins (connects) two sentences together.

10. Conjunctions For And Nor But Or Yet So Don’t forget these conjunctions!

11. Example Chuck Norris once kicked a horse in the chinand its descendants are known today as giraffes. There are two sentences in the sentence above. To set the sentences apart, we put the comma in front of the conjunction.

12. Example Sticks and stones may break your bonesbut a Chuck Norris glare will liquefy your kidneys. Are there two complete sentences? So, the comma goes before the conjunction.

13. Example Chuck Norris once went skydivingbutpromised to never do it again. One sentence. Two sentences? Um, No. There are not two complete sentences. so there is NO COMMA! One Grand Canyon is enough.

14. Example The KEY is to make SURE there is a sentence Paper beats rock rock beats scissors and scissors Chuck Norris beats all three at the same time. on either side of the conjunction! beats paperbut (Items in a series!)

15. Recap Rule #1: Use a comma to separate items in a series. Rule #2: Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives preceding (in front of) a noun. Rule #3: Place a comma before a conjunction when it joins (connects) two sentences together.

16. Comma Rule #4

17. The Rule Use a comma to set off nonessential (not important/not needed) clauses and phrases.

18. Example Roger Mayes should be expelled. who often plays hooky Is this clause needed? 1. Pull the clause out. 2. Read the rest of the sentence. 3. The meaning doesn’t change, so you need a comma. who often plays hooky

19. Another example… Everyone should be expelled. who plays hooky Is this clause needed? 1. Pull the phrase out. 2. Read the rest of the sentence. 3. The meaning DEFINITELY changes, so we DO NOT need commas.

20. Recap The Rule: Use a comma to set off nonessential (not important/not needed) clauses and phrases.

21. Recap The method: 1.Take the clause out of the sentence. 2.Read the sentence to see if the meaning changes. 3.Add commas only if the meaning does not change.

22. Comma Rules 5-6 Introductory Words and Phrases

23. Rule 5 Use a comma after words such as well, yes, no, why, etc. When they begin a sentence

24. Examples Yes, I will go to the MCR concert with you. No, I did not finish my homework, my monkey ate it. Well, you’re going to have to answer to Mr. Brown.

25. Rule 6 Use a comma after an introductory (at the beginning of the sentence) phrase.

26. Examples Crying at the top of his lungs Hunter kept the whole house up all night long. This phrase is at the beginning of the sentence. (introductory) Tip: The first word has an – ing or –ed ending. Who or What does the phrase describe? Add a comma!,

27. Example Frightened by the thunder Cody Fletcher hid underneath his bed. Introductory phrase! Tip: 1 st word has –ed or – ing ending Add a comma,

28. Example Waking up late for school Toby obviously forgot to brush his hair! Remember the tip! Where do we put the comma?, Who or What is the phrase describing?

29. Example AJ Briley running as fast as he could scored a 50 yard touchdown! What do we do when the phrase comes in the middle? We go back to Rule 4 If we need it = no commas If we don’t need it = commas,,

30. Recap RULE 5: Use a comma after words such as well, yes, no, why, etc. When they begin a sentence RULE 6: Use a comma after an introductory (at the beginning of the sentence) phrase.

31. Comma Rules 7 & 8 Introductory Prepositional Phrases and Clauses

32. Rule 7 Use a comma after a succession (series, string, chain) of introductory (beginning of the sentence) prepositional phrases.

33. Example the football team was waiting to enter the stadium. 3 prepositional phrases Near the gate at the end of the field,

34. Example Find the prepositional phrases… In the front window of the pet store the rambunctious puppy played with the toy.,

35. Rule 8 Use a comma after an introductory dependent clause (incomplete thought).

36. Examples When the party was over we were tired but happy. When the party was over we were tired but happy. or Which one is an incomplete thought?,

37. Example During the gameDaniel would not stop talking! Where does the comma go?,

38. Recap RULE 7: Use a comma after a succession (series, string, chain) of introductory (beginning of the sentence) prepositional phrases. RULE 8: Use a comma after an introductory dependent clause (incomplete thought).

39. The Method 1.Identify a chain of prepositional phrases (Rule 7) or an incomplete thought (Rule 8) at the beginning of the sentence. 2.Place a comma after the phrases (Rule 7) or after the incomplete thought. (Rule 8)

40. Comma Rules The Final Chapter

41. Rule 9 Set off interrupters with commas

42. Example To tell the truthChuck Norris is my hero! This is an interrupter: It has NO LINK to the rest of the sentence., We place a comma after the interrupter to set it apart!

43. Example Trey forgot to brush his teeth! Eww! Where is the interrupter in this sentence? however So, where do the commas go?,,

44. Rule 10 Use a comma to separate items in dates and addresses.

45. Example On August 23 2007 my address changed to 2929 Sunset Blvd Hollywood CA 90210. Place commas after: Month and Day, the year at the end of a street address,, after the city,

46. Rule 11 Use a comma after the salutation of a personal letter and after the closing of a letter.

47. Example Dearest Jennifer Lopez With all my love Roger Mayes,,

48. Recap Set off interrupters with commas Rule 9: Set off interrupters with commas Rule 10: Use a comma to separate items in dates and addresses. Rule 11: Use a comma after the salutation of a personal letter and after the closing of a letter.