1. Commas

2. Vocab Adverb Sentence Phrase Clause
Words that describe verbs. Normally end in ‘ly’
Sentence
A group of words that has a subject and a verb
Phrase
A group of words that either has a subject or verb, but not both
Clause
Independent (main) and dependent (subordinate)

3. Clauses Independent clause Dependent clause
A sentence. Can stand alone. Has subject and verb.
Mikey arrives home.
Dependent clause
Cannot stand alone. Has a subject and a verb, but requires additional pieces.
When Mikey arrives home

4. Preposition Prepositional phrase Appositive
To, off, on, above, around, at, for, from
Prepositional phrase
“at home”
Appositive
Group of words that can be omitted because they repeat or give unnecessary information.
“Mr. Gwozdz, my English teacher, really likes cats.”

5. Donald Duck doesn’t wear pants.

6. Commas Between items in dates and addresses Between words in a list.
Michael arrived at Ellis Island, New York, on February 14, 1924.
Between words in a list.
I bought eggs, butter, and milk at the store.
Between equally important adjectives.
The reporter spoke with several intense, talented high school athletes.
Before quotes.
David said, “I love grammar. This is the best day of my life!”

7. Commas Continued After quotes Around nonrestrictive appositives
“I love grammar,” cried David.
Around nonrestrictive appositives
Mr. Gwozdz, the English teacher, wants to turn into a flower.
Before conjunctions that link two independent clauses together.
Drew wanted to experience ballroom dancing, so he signed up for lessons at the local hall.

8. When you die your hair still grows for a couple of months.

9. After introductory words, phrases, and clauses.
At midnight, my cat turns into a literature-loving human.
Prepositional phrase
To avoid being eaten by a whale, I don’t go far into the ocean.
Infinitive phrase
When the computer began to beep wildly, I knew that I had to pull the plug.
Dependent clause
Broken by then news, Mr. Gwozdz put his efforts towards teaching grammar.
Participle phrase.

10. Other Introductory Elements

11. 3 of the 4 ways to Join Independent Clauses (comma splice/fused)
1. Add a period and a capital letter—make two sentences.
Doing this too often will make your writing boring.
2. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction: FANBOYS
For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
3. Use a semicolon.
Save these for special occasions.