1. Commas and Run-on Sentences

2. Items in a series 1) Use commas to separate items in a series 1) Use commas to separate items in a series January, February, and March are all summer months in the Southern Hemisphere. January, February, and March are all summer months in the Southern Hemisphere. There were fingerprints at the top, on the sides, and on the bottom. There were fingerprints at the top, on the sides, and on the bottom. We sang, we danced, and we played trivia games. We sang, we danced, and we played trivia games.

3. Compound Sentences with Conjunctions 2) Use a comma before and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet when it joins independent clauses in a compound sentence. 2) Use a comma before and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet when it joins independent clauses in a compound sentence. Tamisha offered me a ticket, and I accepted. Tamisha offered me a ticket, and I accepted. I was tired, yet I stayed. I was tired, yet I stayed. Usually we study in the morning, and we play basketball in the afternoon. Usually we study in the morning, and we play basketball in the afternoon.

4. When to Use Commas Be Careful! With rule #2, make sure it contains two independent clauses. Be Careful! With rule #2, make sure it contains two independent clauses. Usually we study in the morning and play basketball in the afternoon. (play basketball in the afternoon is not independent). Usually we study in the morning and play basketball in the afternoon. (play basketball in the afternoon is not independent). Usually we study in the morning, and we play basketball in the afternoon. Usually we study in the morning, and we play basketball in the afternoon.

5. Interrupters 3) Use commas to set off an expression that interrupts a sentence. 3) Use commas to set off an expression that interrupts a sentence. Yes, I will answer the phone. Yes, I will answer the phone. Naturally, we expect to win. Naturally, we expect to win. My answer is correct, I think. My answer is correct, I think. (Notice that the expression can come anywhere in the sentence. If it comes in the middle, two commas are needed.) (Notice that the expression can come anywhere in the sentence. If it comes in the middle, two commas are needed.)

6. Appositives 4) Use commas to set off nonessential words, phrases, or clauses. 4) Use commas to set off nonessential words, phrases, or clauses. My sister, Alicia, did not hear me. My sister, Alicia, did not hear me. They will feed Molly, our cat. They will feed Molly, our cat. I reported on Secret of the Andes, which was written by Ann Nolan Clark. I reported on Secret of the Andes, which was written by Ann Nolan Clark.

7. Dates/Addresses 5) Use commas in certain conventional situations: 5) Use commas in certain conventional situations: Use commas to separate items in dates, opening and closing of letter, and addresses. Use commas to separate items in dates, opening and closing of letter, and addresses. A letter dated November 26, 1888, was found in the old house at 980 West Street, Davenport, Iowa, yesterday. A letter dated November 26, 1888, was found in the old house at 980 West Street, Davenport, Iowa, yesterday. Use a comma after the salutation or closing of a letter. Use a comma after the salutation or closing of a letter. Dear Dad,Yours truly, Dear Dad,Yours truly,

8. Quotation Marks 6) Use commas to separate the speaker from what is said. 6) Use commas to separate the speaker from what is said. Jane said, “Come in and sit down.” Jane said, “Come in and sit down.” “Come this way,” said Jane, “and sit near the door.” “Come this way,” said Jane, “and sit near the door.” “Put those boxes over there,” she said. “Put those boxes over there,” she said.

9. Correcting a Run-on Sentence Do NOT use commas to fix run-on sentences. You can fix these sentences in one of three ways: Do NOT use commas to fix run-on sentences. You can fix these sentences in one of three ways: 1) Use a period and a capital letter between two independent clauses. 1) Use a period and a capital letter between two independent clauses. WRONG: The bell rings at noon the students fill the cafeteria. WRONG: The bell rings at noon the students fill the cafeteria. RIGHT: The bell rings at noon. The students fill the cafeteria. RIGHT: The bell rings at noon. The students fill the cafeteria.

10. Correcting a Run-on Sentences 2) Use a comma and a conjunction. 2) Use a comma and a conjunction. WRONG: I start to smell cafeteria food my stomach begins to growl. WRONG: I start to smell cafeteria food my stomach begins to growl. RIGHT: I start to smell cafeteria food, and my stomach begins to growl. RIGHT: I start to smell cafeteria food, and my stomach begins to growl. 3) Use a semicolon. (;) 3) Use a semicolon. (;) We have only twenty minutes for lunch I eat very quickly. We have only twenty minutes for lunch I eat very quickly. We have only twenty minutes for lunch; I eat very quickly. We have only twenty minutes for lunch; I eat very quickly.