1. Chapter 31
Commas and Colons

2. WEEK 31
Day 1

3. LEARN

4. If a comma were a road sign, it would be yellow and it would say, “Pause.” Commas are very useful for telling readers when to slow down.

5. Use a comma:
-to set off introductory words such as yes, no, or well at the beginning of a sentence.
-to set off the name of someone directly addressed.
-to separate words in a series.
-to set off an appositive that is not necessary for the meaning of a sentence.

6. -before a conjunction to separate two complete thoughts in a compound sentence.
-to set off phrases at the beginning of sentences.
-to set off clauses.
-to make numbers easier to read.

7. Use a comma (,) to set off the words yes, no, or well at the beginning of a sentence.
Yes I did stay up all night at the slumber party!
Yes, I did stay up all night at the slumber party!
No we didn’t watch TV.
No, we didn’t watch TV.
Well we just wanted to talk.
Well, we just wanted to talk.

8. Use a comma to set off the name of someone directly addressed.
Jeremy Jackson get in here right this minute!
Jeremy Jackson, get in here right this minute!
Don’t worry we’ll find your paper Jaime.
Don’t worry we’ll find your paper, Jaime.

9. Use a comma to separate words in a series.
Many of my favorite pets are dogs cats and birds.
Many of my favorite pets are dogs, cats, and birds.

10. Mr. Smith my science teacher has us do fun science experiments.
Use a comma to set off an appositive that is not necessary for the meaning of a sentence.
Mr. Smith my science teacher has us do fun science experiments.
Mr. Smith, my science teacher, has us do
fun science experiments.
My best friend Lucy lives on a houseboat.
My best friend, Lucy, lives on a houseboat.

11. Communication is very important and it is all around us.
Use a comma before a conjunction to separate two complete thoughts in a compound sentence.
Communication is very important and it is all around us.
Communication is very important, and it is all around us.

12. Use a comma to set off phrases at the beginning of sentences.
In bookstores of the future we will find books stored on disk instead of on shelves.
In bookstores of the future, we will find books stored on disk instead of on shelves.

13. Use a comma to set off clauses.
When I study I always learn many things.
When I study, I always learn many things.

14. Use a comma to make numbers easier to read.$
$30,000.00
10000
10,000

15. 1. Tara will you help set up the tent.
2. Yes I remember that the tent stakes should be hammered into the ground.
Yes, I remember that the tent stakes should be hammered into the ground.
3. The stars the moon and flashlights are our only lights at night.
The stars, the moon, and flashlights are our only lights at night.

16. WEEK 31
Day 2

17. LEARN

18. COLONS Use a colon: -to separate the hours and the minutes in time.
-before a list of items, especially after the word these and after expressions like such as these, the following, and as follows.

19. Use a colon to separate the hours and the minutes in time.
Campers arrived at the campsite before
10:15 this morning.

20. The four types of tents are as follows: frame,
Use a colon before a list of items, especially after the word these and after expressions like such as these, the following, and as follows.
The four types of tents are as follows: frame,
hoop, umbrella, and wall.
To put up a tent, you need things such as
these: tent stakes, a hammer, rope, and
patience.

21. WEEK 31
Day 3

22. LEARN

23. , : Commas Versus Colons Commas and colons have separate uses.
Avoid confusing these two punctuation
marks.
, :

24. Use a comma in the greeting of a friendly letter.
Example: Dear Grandpa,
Use a comma in the closing of a letter.
Example: Sincerely yours,
Use a comma between the city and the state.
Example: Jackson, MS
Use a comma between the day and the year.
Example: May 7, 2007

25. Use a colon in the greeting of a business letter.
Example: Dear Sir:
Do not use a colon if a list follows a verb or
a preposition without key words similar to
such as these, the following, and as follows.