1. Commas Mrs. Carter’s Language Arts Class

2. Commas Q:When should you use a comma? 1. To separate the elements in a series (three or more things), including the last two. EXAMPLE: He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to first base. 2

3. Commas continued… 2. To connect two Independent Clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so = F.A.N.B.O.Y.S) EXAMPLE: He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base. 3

4. Commas continued… 3. To set off introductory elements. EXAMPLE: Running toward third base, he suddenly realized how stupid he looked. 4

5. Commas Continued… 4. To set off “added” information. **The “added information” is a part of a sentence that can be removed without changing the essential meaning of that sentence. EXAMPLE: Jose’s ambition, to become a goalie in professional soccer, is within his reach. 5

6. Commas Continued… 5. Between a city and a state. (Lawrenceville, Georgia) Between a date and a year. (February 14, 2012) Between a name and a title when the title comes after the name. (Bob Thomas, Professor of English) 6

7. Commas Continued… 6. To separate coordinate adjectives. EXAMPLE: That tall, distinguished, good looking fellow. 7

8. Commas Continued… 7. To set off “quotes” or what someone has said. EXAMPLE: "The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many things." 8

9. Commas Continued… 8. To set off phrases that express contrast. EXAMPLE: The puppies were cute, but very messy. 9

10. Commas Continued… 9. To avoid confusion. EXAMPLE: Outside the lawn was cluttered with hundreds of broken branches. Outside, the lawn was cluttered with hundreds of broken branches. 10