CommasCommas

Problems with run-on Problems with run-on sentences sentences andand incomplete incomplete sentences are problems with sentences are problems with commas!commas!

Think of your Think of your readers!readers!

BUILDING BUILDING BLOCKSBLOCKS

• WORDWORD

• PHRASEPHRASE

• CLAUSECLAUSE

• SENTENCESENTENCE

WORDWORD

dog

speaker

PHRASEPHRASESMALL WORD GROUPSMALL WORD GROUP

dog house

without a dog bone

dogged determination

CLAUSECLAUSEA sentence plus a word that makes it depend on something elseA sentence plus a word that makes it depend on something else

after Juan builds a dog house

though Sally suffers without her dog bone

because dogged determination helps

Look for dependent clause buzz words

SENTENCESENTENCESUBJECT + VERB (can also have details)SUBJECT + VERB (can also have details)

The new puppy will sleep outside. Juan will build it a dog house.

Sally suffers without her dog bone. The cat sleeps contentedly.

Never give up. Dogged determination helps.

More sophisticated sentences haveMore sophisticated sentences haveSUBJECT + VERB + additional sentences or clausesSUBJECT + VERB + additional sentences or clauses

After Juan builds a dog house, the new puppy will sleep outside.

While Sally suffers without her dog bone, the cat sleeps contentedly.

Never give up because dogged determination helps.

COMBINE COMBINE BUILDING BUILDING BLOCKSBLOCKS

Sentence + comma + Sentence + comma + conjunction + sentenceconjunction + sentence

Mary sleeps soundly, but Bob tosses and turns.

Cats hunt at night, for they are nocturnal.

Summer goes too fast, yet winter passes too slowly.

Reading makes for easy travel, and travel improves with reading.

introductory element + comma introductory element + comma + complete sentence+ complete sentence

Suddenly, the room burst into flames.

Without fail, mom always forgets her car keys.

Despite bad reviews, the movie became a blockbuster.

Although college is demanding, getting a diploma is worth the effort.

Clause + comma + sentence + Clause + comma + sentence + additional phraseadditional phrase

Whenever it rains hard, the backyard floods over a foot deep.

Because my brother lives out of state, I don’t get to see him except at Christmas time.

When I was born, my mom and dad were surprised I had red hair.

Though recycling is easy, some people ignore the environment without feeling guilty.

Phrase + comma + sentence + Phrase + comma + sentence + clauseclause

Bugging me severely, my sister kept calling my cell phone though I refused to answer.

Hunkered down for the night, Rachel watched old movies that she’s already seen.

In the basement, the cellar is stacked with stolen goods, which the police must identify.

phrase + comma + sentence + phrase + comma + sentence + conjunction + sentence + clauseconjunction + sentence + clause

On Monday, my car is getting an oil change, and I am getting my hair cut while my children attend school.

Every spring, daffodils and tulips bloom, and the grass turns bright green before Memorial Day weekend arrives.

intro element + comma + sentence intro element + comma + sentence + comma + conjunction + sentence + comma + conjunction + sentence

+ phrase + phrase+ phrase + phrase

Luckily, the gate was closed, and the latch was locked to prevent any canine escapes.

Over and over, I explained to the clerk my problem, but she didn’t listen to my complaints very well.

After studying for her calculus test, Shawna took a nap, and she slept like a baby for over an hour.

Whew!Whew!Some general rules to Some general rules to

help you with commas…help you with commas…

Interrupter commasInterrupter commasset off elements that can be set off elements that can be removedremoved..

Significant others, the ones you really want to keep, require tender loving care.

Good students, even a few bad students, listened attentively to the teacher.

The dog who usually sleeps all day woke up for the mail delivery person.

Joseph rang the doorbell incessantly which was clearly rude yet he didn’t pause once in three full minutes.

no commasno commasWHEN AN INTERRUPTER ELEMENT IS WHEN AN INTERRUPTER ELEMENT IS

NEEDED FOR THE SENTENCE TO MAKE NEEDED FOR THE SENTENCE TO MAKE SENSESENSE

Significant others who communicate well

stay together longer.

Students who work hard usually succeed.

The mail that came yesterday was all wet.

Joseph with the red hair sits next to me.

Commas help coordinate Commas help coordinate adjectives.adjectives.

Lyle wears loud, colorful and often striped clothing.

Good students fill their comp notebooks with writing that is reflective, honest and worthwhile reading.

Whether tall short or shaggy all dogs love fleshy bones.

My sister’s boyfriend is tall dark and handsome.

Commas are used to separate Commas are used to separate three or more items in a series.three or more items in a series.The woman grabbed her purse, cell phone, car

keys and a bag of roasted soy beans.

Under the river, through the woods, behind the airport and beyond the mall to grandmother’s house we go.

Tailgating happily before the big game, Gerald Natalie Kate and Felicia relaxed in the stadium parking lot.

The kindergartener played quietly with a yellow crayon two green markers a red fire engine and blue blocks.

Use commas to set off a signal Use commas to set off a signal phrase and quotation. phrase and quotation.

(unless there is a stronger punctuation mark (unless there is a stronger punctuation mark needed)needed)

The instructor repeated, “Pick a point and stick to it!”

“Why isn’t homework illegal?” the student complained.

“Think of your audience!” the teacher reminded.

The teacher reminded us “make sure you finish your rough draft by Monday!”

Reginald replied “No problem” and went back to his work.

Do not use commas alone to Do not use commas alone to join two sentences.join two sentences.

Wrong:

After the sixth inning, I went home, my family stayed.

Right:

After the sixth inning, I went home; my family stayed.

After the sixth inning, I went home, but my family stayed.

Save the Comma game