1. Punctuation Standard 6D

2. Comma, what’s the Purpose?

3. When do I use a comma? Use commas for independent clauses. A sentence is only a sentence if it has a subject and a verb, so if you have lots of subjects and lots of verbs, you have to use commas to keep the sentence from getting confusing. Example: Fred walks to school, but he rides a bus on Tuesday.

4. Commas with Conjunctions To make 2 sentences into one, you have to use a comma before the coordinating conjunction. To make it easier, memorize this list of coordinating conjunctions. They are called the FANBOYS: F = for A = and N = nor B = but O = or Y = yet S = so *Anytime you join two complete sentences with one of the FANBOYS, you have to use a comma.

5. Items in a Series Use commas for items in a series. Anytime you write down more than three items in a row when you write a sentence, you have to use commas to separate the items. For example: Nick bought peanuts, candy, and chocolate. The items are: peanuts, candy, and chocolate, so you have to make sure there is a comma between each item, or it could look like this: Nick bought peanuts candy and chocolate.

6. Introductory Words Use commas after common introductory words such as "yes," "no," "however," or "well." For example: Yes, you will do very well on your test!

7. Which sentence has correct punctuation? A. Laura said, "I'm worried Doug's car will get towed if he parks there. After 900, they tow everything cars, trucks, and motorcycles." B. Laura said, 'Im worried Doug's car will get towed if he parks there. After 9:00, they tow everything cars, trucks, and motorcycles.' C. Laura said "Im worried Doug's car will get towed if he parks there. After 900, they tow everything cars, trucks, and motorcycles." D. Laura said, "I'm worried Doug's car will get towed if he parks there. After 9:00, they tow everything: cars, trucks, and motorcycles."

8. Which of the following sentences uses commas correctly? A. Derrick, and Mary ate lunch together yesterday but she forgot her lunch today, so Derrick shared his. B. Derrick and Mary ate lunch together yesterday, but she forgot her lunch today, so Derrick shared his. C. Derrick and Mary ate lunch together yesterday but she forgot her lunch today so Derrick shared his. D. Derrick, and Mary ate lunch together yesterday, but she forgot her lunch today, so Derrick shared his.

9. Which of the following sentences uses commas correctly? A. Pete, needed help with his math homework, so I went to his house to study with him. B. Pete needed, help, with his math homework, so I went to his house to study with him. C. Pete needed help with his math homework, so I went to his house to study with him. D. Pete needed help with his math homework so I went to his house to study with him.

10. What should the writer do to correct this sentence? Stacy got to go on a vacation to the beach but it rained every day she was there. A. Add a comma after "day." B. Add a comma after "beach." C. The sentence is correct. D. Change "there" to "their."

11. What is the correct way to write this sentence? Don't forget to wear your coat, Mom said this morning as I left for school. A. "Don't forget to wear your coat, Mom said this morning as I left for school." B. Don't forget to wear your coat, "Mom said this morning as I left for school." C. Don't forget to wear your coat, "Mom" said this morning as I left for school. D. "Don't forget to wear your coat," Mom said this morning as I left for school.

12. What form of punctuation is missing? Edgar Allan Poe's poem, The Raven, is my favorite poem of all time. I love to read it every Halloween with my brother. A. a colon B. quotation marks C. a comma D. There is no missing punctuation.