What Is a Comma? A comma is a punctuation mark that indicates a
pause is needed in a sentence. Commas help to clarify meaning for
the reader. Commas can make the sentence easier to understand.
Slide 3
Clauses and Phrases A clause is a group of words that contains
both a subject and a verb that complement each other. A phrase is a
group of words that does not contain a subject or a verb that
complement each other.
Slide 4
Clause: contain a subject and verb. If they form complete
thoughts, we call them independent clauses or sentences. If they
form incomplete thoughts, we call them dependent, subordinate
clauses, or fragments. Phrase: are word clusters lacking subject
and verb combinations. Clauses and Phrases
Slide 5
Clause examples: 1) We collected the data. (Complete sentence
with a subject and verb. This is an independent clause.) 2) While
we collected the data (FRAGMENT as is even though it has a subject
and verb. This is a dependent clause.) Phrase example: While
collecting data (Also a fragment, but not even a subject and
verb!), we ate our lunch. while we ate our lunch.
Slide 6
Sentence Structure: REVIEW: A Simple Sentence A complete
sentence has two components: a subject and a verb. The subject and
verb must form a complete thought to be considered a simple
sentence.
Slide 7
COMMA RULE #1 ITEMS IN A SERIES Use commas to separate three or
more items in a series. Example: 1. Cars, buses, and trucks clog
city streets. (words) 2. Beside the fence, on the porch, or outside
the back door is a good place for that potted plant. (phrases) 3.
Call me before you leave town, while youre staying in Florida, and
after you return home. (clauses)
Slide 8
COMMA RULE #1, CONT. ITEMS IN A SERIES Place commas in a
sentence to divide items in a list. The commas will help the reader
to avoid confusion.
Slide 9
COMMA RULE #1, CONT. ITEMS IN A SERIES Consider the difference
in the following: A. Last month, Alex dated Mary Ann Lee and Kim.
B. Last month, Alex dated Mary, Ann, Lee, and Kim. C. Last month,
Alex dated Mary Ann, Lee, and Kim. D. Last month, Alex dated Mary,
Ann Lee, and Kim. Q. Which do you think is Correct?
Slide 10
COMMA RULE #1, CONT. ITEMS IN A SERIES Commas should be placed
in series of words, phrases, or clauses. Place commas in the
following sentences: Martina brushed her hair put on her pajamas
and went to bed. She fell asleep and dreamed that she was a
princess she kissed a frog and she rescued her prince. Martina
brushed her hair, put on her pajamas, and went to bed. She fell
asleep and dreamed that she was a princess, she kissed a frog, and
she rescued her prince.
Slide 11
COMMA RULE #1, CONT. ITEMS IN A SERIES PRACTICE 1. Copy the
example, inserting the comma(s) where needed. The students at Del
Webb Middle School took notes studied and learned to use commas
correctly in sentences. 2. Create your own example
sentence.____________________________________
Slide 12
COMMA RULE #1, CONT. ITEMS IN A SERIES Check your answer. The
students at Del Webb Middle School took notes, studied, and learned
to use commas correctly in sentences.
Slide 13
COMMA RULE #2 Introductory Words and Phrases Use a comma to
show a pause after an introductory word or phrase. 1. Yes, we
enjoyed your performance in the play. 2. No, you didnt sing off
key. 3. Oh, it was so hot in the auditorium!
Slide 14
COMMA RULE #2, CONT. Introductory Words and Phrases Without the
comma, the sentence may be interpreted incorrectly. For example:
Go, get him doctors! Mrs. Brown yelled. Go get him, doctors! Mrs.
Brown yelled. MATCH: The patient is hurt! The patient is running
away!
Slide 15
COMMA RULE #2, CONT. Introductory Words and Phrases The comma
after the introductory word or phrase indicates a pause. Consider
the difference in the following: A. Last month Alex dated Mary, Ann
Lee, and Kim. B. Last, month Alex dated Mary, Ann Lee, and Kim. C.
Last month, Alex dated Mary, Ann Lee, and Kim. D. Last month Alex
dated, Mary, Ann Lee, and Kim Q. Which do you think is
Correct?
Slide 16
COMMA RULE #2, CONT. Introductory Words and Phrases Practice 1.
Well Marna, you earned a B for paying attention in class, doing
your homework, and studying hard. 2. Indeed it was me who was the
V.I.P. last night. 3. Okay you can have ten more minutes of video
game time.
Slide 17
COMMA RULE #2, CONT. Introductory Words and Phrases PRACTICE 1.
Copy the example, inserting the comma(s) where needed. No you may
not go to the movies because you are failing English. 2. Create
your own example sentence.__________________________________
Slide 18
COMMA RULE #2, CONT. Introductory Words and Phrases Check your
answer. No, you may not go to the movies because you are failing
English.
Slide 19
Not a correct example How come? I got an A++ on the test last
week. How come? I got an A++ on the test last week. Wow! That was
such a good day! Wow! That was such a good day! Why? I will do my
homework if you feed me. Why? I will do my homework if you feed me.
Fine, I will do my homework if you feed me. Fine, I will do my
homework if you feed me. Purdue University Writing Lab
Slide 20
COMMA RULE #3 Prepositional Phrases at the beginning of a
sentence. Use a comma after two or more prepositional phrases at
the beginning of a sentence. For a number of years, she served as
director of the National Youth Administration's Division of Negro
Affairs. *For a number and of years
Slide 21
COMMA RULE #3, CONT. Prepositional Phrases at the beginning of
a sentence. What is a preposition? o A word that relates a noun or
a pronoun to some other word in the sentence. o Examplesabove,
under, into, behind, around, inside, over, ahead, below, across,
beside, out, in, through, What is a prepositional phrase? A group
of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or
pronoun. Examplesthrough the house, into the barn, under the couch,
over the hedge, in the cave, inside the toilet, behind the
television
Slide 22
COMMA RULE #3, CONT. Prepositional Phrases at the beginning of
a sentence. Put one comma after the two prepositional phrases at
the beginning of a sentence. Decide which is correct. A. In the
house, under the couch I found my phone. B. In the house under the
couch, I found my phone. C. In the house, under the couch, I found
my phone. D. In the house under the couch I found my phone.
Slide 23
Also, use a comma to set off a single long prepositional phrase
at the beginning of a sentence. For example: Beneath a dozen
fluttering red and blue banners, he made his campaign speech. You
need not set off a single short prepositional phrase, but its not
wrong to do so. For example: In 1998 Frank Jordan ran for mayor. In
1998, Frank Jordan ran for mayor. COMMA RULE #3, CONT.
Prepositional Phrases at the beginning of a sentence.
Slide 24
Practice: 1. With hope of winning the tournament our soccer
team practiced hard. 2. In the fall of 1998 Frank Jordan ran for
mayor. 3. Under tons of tiny rocks and pebbles she found her
diamond ring. 4. At four oclock we will leave for the doctors.
COMMA RULE #3, CONT. Prepositional Phrases at the beginning of a
sentence.
Slide 25
PRACTICE Copy the example, inserting the comma(s) where needed.
In the bathroom behind the toilet is the toilet brush. 2. Create
your own example sentence._______________________________________
Purdue University Writing Lab COMMA RULE #3, CONT. Prepositional
Phrases at the beginning of a sentence.
Slide 26
COMMA RULE #4 Interrupters, a.k.a. Appositives Use commas to
set off words that interrupt the flow of thought in a sentence. Use
commas to set off appositives in a sentence. The students, who did
well on the comma assessment, got a treat in class!
Slide 27
Sentence Structure: Appositives An appositive is a noun or
phrase that identifies the person or thing it follows. Use commas
to set off MOST appositives. Do not use commas to set off a short
appositive, such as one name. This is my friend Kara. (Introducing
Kara) This is my friend, Kara. (Talking to Kara) COMMA RULE #4,
CONT. Interrupters, a.k.a. Appositives
Slide 28
My brother, the biggest nerd I know, plans to throw a party!
Juanita, who is only five feet tall, is a fine gymnast. My brother
Carl, whom I think you know, is sixteen today. He must, of course,
pay his fine. He will, however, serve his time. We have, therefore,
been vindicated. The game, as you remember, was a tie. A new method
of scoring, we decided, was necessary. S appositive V
Slide 29
COMMA RULE #4, CONT. Interrupters, a.k.a. Appositives Do not
set off essential clauses!!! Essential clauses are necessary to the
meaning of the sentence. Example: The house that has green shutters
is at the corner of Elm and Maple. vs. My house, which has green
shutters, is at the corner of Elm and Maple.
ESSENTIAL?NONESSENTIAL?
Slide 30
COMMA RULE #4, CONT. Interrupters, a.k.a. Appositives PRACTICE
Copy the examples, inserting the comma(s) where needed. Taking
notes I believe helps you study for tests. The man with the red hat
was very funny. (essential) Jerry, who has a red hat, was very
funny.(Not essential) 2. Create your own example
sentence.________________________________________
Slide 31
COMMA RULE #5 Names in Direct Address Use commas to set off
nouns in direct address. A noun in direct address is the name or
title of a person being spoken to. Example: Mrs. Barnhart, I love
learning grammar! I want to learn more about commas, Tracy, so I
can be the best writer!
Slide 32
COMMA RULE #5, CONT. Names in Direct Address Direct addresses
may come at the beginning, the middle, or the end of a sentence.
Madam, your package has arrived. We are ready, Mrs. Wright, to
deliver it. Do you want us to attack, Coronel?
Slide 33
COMMA RULE #5, CONT. Names in Direct Address Where do the
commas go in the following sentences? Claire have you ever traveled
on a ship? I have traveled to Alaska Mr. Hess on a cruise ship. Are
you ready to eat Bryan?
Slide 34
Which ones are correct? A. Mrs. Brown you are the greatest
teacher ever! B. Mrs. Brown, you are the greatest teacher ever! C.
You are the greatest teacher ever, Mrs. Brown! D. You are the
greatest teacher ever Mrs. Brown ! E. You are, Mrs. Brown the
greatest teacher ever! F. You are Mrs. Brown, the greatest teacher
ever! G. You are, Mrs. Brown, the greatest teacher ever! Purdue
University Writing Lab COMMA RULE #5, CONT. Names in Direct
Address
Slide 35
PRACTICE Copy the examples, inserting the comma(s) where
needed. Excuse me Mister where is West Elm Street? Did you enjoy
your trip down the Ohio River Dale? 2. Create your own example
sentence._______________________________________
Slide 36
HOMEWORK EXERCISES PAGE 491 Writers Choice Text Book Page
491-Review rules 1-5 Page 492-Exercises 2 & 3 Follow directions
completely.
Slide 37
Use your Comma Rule Guide to insert commas in the following
sentences. Be sure to use the comma insert proofreading symbol.
Write the rule number that explains why the comma is needed in
front of each of the sentences. 1. 4 Most people, naturally, would
love to see Bigfoot. 2. 5 Well done, my lad, said the captain.
3._____No one I think has sighted a Bigfoot on a subway train.
4._____Beth Laural and Heather wrote a report on Lock Ness. 5._____
As a matter of fact I was about to do my homework. 6._____No one
knows if Bigfoot is a man a myth or a monster. 7._____This fish it
was thought had been extinct for 70 million years. 8._____In the
Amazon I read somewhere there is a bird whose chicks have claws on
its wings. 9._____On the first Saturday in June the pool will open.
Comma Rules 1-5: 1. Use a comma to separate three or more items in
a series. 2. Use a comma to show a pause after an introductory word
or phrase. 3. Use a comma after two or more prepositional phrases
at the beginning of a sentence. 4. Use a comma to set off words
that interrupt the flow of thought in a sentence. 5. Use a comma or
commas to set off names in direct address. Homework: Worksheet
practice-QUIZ TOMORROW
Slide 38
COMMA RULE #6 Compound Sentences Use a comma before a
coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence. A compound
sentence is a sentence that combines two simple sentences with a
comma and a coordinating conjunction. Steve opened the door, and
the dog ran out.
Slide 39
COMMA RULE #6, CONT. Compound Sentences Coordinating
Conjunctions For And Nor But Or Yet So Hey! That spells
FANBOYS!!!
Slide 40
Sentence Structure: Compound Sentence A sentence that contains
two simple sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction is called
a compound sentence. A coordinating conjunction joins words,
phrases, and clauses together in a sentence. Conjunctions for and
nor but or yet so FAN BOYS
Slide 41
COMMA RULE #6, CONT. Compound Sentences Find the coordinating
conjunctions in the following sentences: The theater rehearsed in
the morning, and they performed the play in the afternoon. You can
take the elevator, or you can walk up the stairs to the third
floor. I could take the train downtown, yet I will still be late
for the presentation. You may arrive early to the performance, but
you will still have to wait outside.
Slide 42
COMMA RULE #6, CONT. Compound Sentences A common mistake: This
morning Maria planted vegetables and, this afternoon she planted
fruit trees. This morning Maria planted vegetables, and this
afternoon she planted fruit trees.
Slide 43
COMMA RULE #6, CONT. Compound Sentences Add commas where needed
in the following sentences: 1. Julia read the book but Alex saw the
movie. 2. The baby whined and cried so his mother comforted him. 3.
My coach helps me during the week and my mother works with me over
the weekend. 4. I thought the test was easy yet I still did
poorly.
Slide 44
COMMA RULE #6, CONT. Compound Sentences PRACTICE 1. Copy the
examples, inserting the comma(s) where needed. The boys played
football and the girls cheered on the sideline. The weather man
said it would rain today so I brought my umbrella with me. 2.
Create your own example
sentence._______________________________________
Slide 45
A Common Comma Error: The Comma Splice A comma splice is an
error in which two sentences are joined by a comma. No conjunction
is written!!! We had a nice time, I hope we can meet again soon. S
V The Internet has revolutionized the business world, S V online
sales have increased dramatically this year. S V
Slide 46
To Correct a Comma Splice 1. Insert a conjunction between the
two sentences. 2. -Or- start a new sentence. 3. -Or- insert a
semi-colon between the two sentences. We had a nice time, and I
hope we can meet again soon. We had a nice time. I hope we can meet
again soon. We had a nice time; I hope we can meet again soon.
Slide 47
COMMA RULE #7 In Letters Use a comma after the salutation
(greeting) of a friendly letter and after the closing of a friendly
and a business letter Dear Ben, Your friend, Sincerely, Bethany
Natalia Gomez
Slide 48
COMMA RULE #7, CONT. In Letters A common mistake: Dear,
MorganYour, friend Dear Morgan,Your friend,
Slide 49
COMMA RULE #8 To Prevent Misreading Use a comma to prevent
misreading. Instead of two five teachers made the trip. Instead of
two, five teachers made the trip. In the field below the brook
gurgled merrily. In the field below, the brook gurgled
merrily.
Slide 50
COMMA RULE #8, CONT. To Prevent Misreading Where do you think
the comma should go in the following sentences? 1.Until the week
before Dads birthday shopping hadnt seemed like a priority. 2.To
get through a tunnel must be built. 3.After the ribbon cutting
ceremony was over the bridge was officially opened. 4. After
washing and grooming the dog was ready for the show. 5. When
violently angry elephants trumpet. 6. From inside the house
appeared much smaller.
Slide 51
Rules 6-8 Homework Writers Choice Review rules p. 493 complete
exercises 4 & 5 on p.494 Purdue University Writing Lab
Slide 52
Use your Comma Rule Guide to insert commas in the following
sentences. Be sure to use the comma insert proofreading symbol.
Write the rule number that explains why the comma is needed in
front of each of the sentences. 1._____Dear Aunt Millie
2._____Instead of New York Boston was our choice. 3._____Hakeem
weeded the garden and his mom picked the vegetables. 4._____Felipes
first language is Spanish and Andre speaks French. 5._____Instead
of twelve six players got new uniforMrs. Comma Rules 6-8: 6. Use a
comma before a conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) in a
compound sentence. 7. Use a comma after the salutation of a
friendly letter and after the closing of both a friendly letter and
a business letter. 8. Use a comma to prevent misreading. Purdue
University Writing Lab HOMEWORK
Slide 53
COMMA RULE #9 In Dates Use a comma before and after the year
when it is used with both the month and the day. The ship struck an
iceberg on April 14, 1912, and sank early the next morning. Do not
use a comma if only the month and the year or the month and the day
are given. The ship sank in April 1912 on its first voyage. The
ship sailed on April 14 in the morning.
Slide 54
COMMA RULE #9, CONT. In Dates Where do the commas belong in the
following examples? 1.The Declaration of Independence was actually
signed by the delegates in August 1776 in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. 2.Ryan reminded his cousins, My eleventh birthday
party will be April 11 2002 at the skating rink. 3.Ona left
Charleston, South Carolina, when she was ten, and she did not
return until October 18 2002 in the evening.
Slide 55
COMMA RULE #9, CONT. In Dates Writers, even adults, usually
forget to put the comma after the date in a sentence. Think about
how you can remember to put the comma after the date if the
sentence continues. Mrs. Brown changed the world when she was born
on April 8, 1987, at 6:13 am.
Slide 56
COMMA RULE #9, CONT. In Dates Why do you think there are no
commas if just the month and year are written? My brother David was
born September 1975 in the middle of the night. What about if just
the month and day are written? Why isnt there a comma here? My
sister Lauren was born July 26 after our family summer picnic.
Slide 57
COMMA RULE #9, CONT. In Dates Dates actually can have four
parts to them 1. The day of the week. 2. The month. 3. The number
of the day on the calendar. 4. The year On Friday, March 9, 2012
A.D., there will be a giant test over comma rules.
Slide 58
COMMA RULE #9, CONT. In Dates Purdue University Writing Lab
Another thought: There is no comma between the year and B.C. or the
year and A.D. On Friday, March 9, 2012 A.D., there will be a giant
test over comma rules.
Slide 59
COMMA RULE #9, CONT. In Dates Consider the differences in the
following: On Friday, March 9, 2012 A.D., there will be a giant
test over comma rules. There will be a giant test over comma rules
on Friday, March 9, 2012 A.D. There will be a giant test over comma
rules on a Friday on March 9, 2012 A.D. There will be a giant test
over comma rules on a Friday in March 2012 A.D.
Slide 60
COMMA RULE #10 In Addresses, Cities, States, and Countries Use
commas before and after the name of a state or country when it is
used with the name of a city. In Las Vegas, Nevada, we DO NOT use a
comma after the state if the state name is followed by a zip code.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89052
Slide 61
COMMA RULE #10, CONT. In Addresses, Cities, States, and
Countries The ship was sailing from Southampton, England, to New
York City. You can write to Leeza at 15 College Court, Stanford, CA
94305. The cattle were herded along the Chisholm Trail from San
Antonio, Texas, to Abilene, Kansas.
Slide 62
COMMA RULE #11 Abbreviated Titles Use a comma or a pair of
commas to set off an abbreviated title (except Jr. and Sr.) or a
degree following a persons name. Dr. Mitchell Bowers, DVM,
wrote
Slide 63
COMMA RULE #11, CONT. Abbreviated Titles Michelle Nakumura,
Ph.D., will be the graduation speaker. Latisha Davis, M.D., is our
family physician.
Slide 64
COMMA RULE #12 When too means also Use a comma or a pair of
commas to set off too when too means also. I want to shop at
Macy's, too. I, too, want to shop at Macy's. I want to shop, too,
while we're out. Do not use commas with too when to means excess.
The prices at Macys were too high. I was too tired to shop at
Macys
Slide 65
COMMA RULE #13 Commas with adjectives Use commas to separate
adjectives that provide an equal description of a noun. THE TEST:
Can you put and between the adjectives? Can they be described in
reverse order? If so, use a comma. big blue house three hungry
kittens a cranky, ungrateful man
Slide 66
Other Commas Key Item Commas Detail Use a comma or pair of
commas to set off an abbreviated title or degree following a
persons name. Ex. The first American woman to participate in a
space mission was Sally Ride, Ph.D.
Slide 67
Semicolons and colons Key Item Semicolons in Compound Sentences
Detail Used to join parts of a compound sentence when a conjunction
such as and, but or or is not used. Remember that a compound
sentence has two or more simple sentences that are joined by a
conjunction. Ex. The night was clear ; the stars were bright.
Slide 68
Semicolons and colons Key Item Semicolons with Items in a
Series Detail When there are commas within parts of a series, use a
semicolon to separate the parts. Ex. John was from Ames, Iowa;
Helen was from Las Vegas, Nevada; and Linda was from Rockford,
Illinois.
Slide 69
Semicolons and colons Key Item Colons Detail Use a colon to
introduce a list of items that ends a sentence. Use a phrase such
as these, the following, or as follows before the list. Ex. A list
of the greatest scientists in history usually begins with these
names: Newton and Einstein. DO NOT use a colon immediately after a
verb or a preposition.
Slide 70
Semicolons and colons Key Item Colons Detail Use a colon to
separate the hour from the minute when you write the time of day.
Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter. Ex. Dear Sir
or Madam:
Slide 71
Quotation marks and italics Key Item Quotation Marks Rule 1
Detail Use quotation marks before and after a direct quotation. A
direct quotation is a speakers exact words. Ex- These games are a
challenge, Joe declared.
Slide 72
Quotation marks and italics Key Item Quotation Marks Rule 2
Detail Use quotation marks around each part of an interrupted
quotation. Ex- Shannon, Anne asked, are these the pants you bought
last week?
Slide 73
Quotation marks and italics Key Item Quotation Marks Rule 3
Detail Use a comma or commas to separate a phrase such as he said
from the quotation itself. Place the comma outside opening
quotation marks but inside closing quotation marks. Ex- John
declared, These games are a challenge. Ex- These games, Joe
declared, are a challenge.
Slide 74
Quotation marks and italics Key Item Quotation Marks Rule 4
Detail Place a period inside closing quotation marks. Mrs. Brown
said, The Cleveland Browns are the best.
Slide 75
Quotation marks and italics Key Item Quotation Marks Rule 5
Detail Place a question mark or an exclamation mark inside the
quotation mark when it is part of the quotation. Ex- Oh no ! Nina
cried. Wheres my notebooks?
Slide 76
Quotation marks and italics Key Item Quotation Marks Rule 6
Detail Place a question mark or an exclamation mark outside the
quotation mark when it is part of the entire sentence but not part
of the quotation. Ex- Did Francis say, Buy me a Cleveland Browns
jersey ?
Slide 77
Quotation marks and italics Quotation Marks for TitlesSCAPES
SongMoves Like Jagger Chapter Summer Days, from Charlottes Web
ArticleHands and Hearts PoemAnnabel Lee Essay/EpisodeAmericans All
Story (short)Scouts Honor
Slide 78
Quotation marks and italics Italics for Titles BookStuart
Little PlayThe Miracle Worker Magazine/newspaperTime
Movie/Television SeriesJames and the Giant Peach CDWatch the Throne
Epic PoemOdyssey PaintingAmerican Gothic ShipQueen Mary
TrainTwentieth-Century Limited Airplane or SpacecraftColumbia
Slide 79
Quotation marks and italics Underlines for Titles**Underline
when using handwriting to indicate words that should be in italics
in printed material. BookStuart Little PlayThe Miracle Worker
Magazine/newspaperTime Movie/Television SeriesJames and the Giant
Peach CDWatch the Throne Epic PoemOdyssey PaintingAmerican Gothic
ShipQueen Mary TrainTwentieth-Century Limited Airplane or
SpacecraftColumbia
Slide 80
Quotation marks and italics An Indirect quotation is a
restatement, in somewhat different words, of what someone said. DO
NOT USE quotation marks to set off an indirect quotation. Ex-The
manager announced that the store is closing.
Slide 81
Hyphens, Dashes, and Parentheses Key Item Hyphens Rule 1 Detail
Use a hyphen to show the division of a word at the end of a line.
Always divide a word between syllables.
CorrectLad-derBe-tweenBe-low IncorrectLadd-erBet-weenBel-ow
Slide 82
Hyphens, Dashes, and Parentheses Key Item Hyphens Rule 2 Rule 3
Detail Use hyphens in certain compound words. Ex-
self-madegreat-uncle great-grandmotherbrother-in-law Use hyphens in
compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine. Ex-sixty-five
pianos Forty-two experiments
Slide 83
Hyphens, Dashes, and Parentheses Key Item Hyphens Rule 4 Detail
Use hyphens in spelled-out fractions, such as one-third and
four-fifths.
Slide 84
Hyphens, Dashes, and Parentheses Key Item Dashes Parentheses
Detail Use dashes to show an abrupt break in thought. Ex.- The Big
Dipper - if I can find it- is in the northern sky. Use parentheses
to set off material that is loosely related to the rest of the
sentence. Ex- Orion (a hunter in Greek mythology) is also the name
of a famous constellation.
Slide 85
Apostrophes Key Item Apostrophes Rule 1 Detail Use an
apostrophe to form the possessive of any noun, whether singular or
plural. For a singular noun, add s even if the word ends in s. Ex.
Anthonys backpack Jamess flashlight Boy + s= boys Sydney + s=
Sydneys
Slide 86
Apostrophes Key Item Apostrophes Rule 2 Detail Use an
apostrophe and an s to form the possessive of a plural noun that
does not end in -s Ex. womens Mices
Slide 87
Apostrophes Key Item Apostrophes Rule 3 Detail For a plural
noun, add s. If the word ends in s, add only an apostrophe. Ex.
Campers sleeping bag rangers warnings DO NOT use an apostrophe in a
possessive pronoun. Ex. These skates are hers. Theirs are in the
car.
Slide 88
Apostrophes Key Item Apostrophes In contractions Detail Use
apostrophes in contractions to show where the letters have been
left out. Ex. I am --- Im They have--- Theyve DO NOT confuse
contractions with possessive pronouns, which do not contain
apostrophes.
Slide 89
Writing Numbers Key Item Rule 1 Rule 2 Detail Spell out numbers
that you can write in one or two words. Ex. Six, sixty-six Use
numerals for numbers of more than two words. Ex. 330
Slide 90
Writing Numbers Key Item Rule 3 Rule 4 Detail Spell out any
number that begins a sentence or reword the sentence so that it
does not begin with a number. Ex. Fifty-Five thousand fans turned
out for opening day. Write a very large number in numerals followed
by the word million or billion Ex. In 1991 major league baseball
attracted more than 56 million fans.
Slide 91
Writing Numbers Key Item Rule 5 Rule 6 Detail If related
numbers appear in the same sentence, use all numerals even though
you might spell out one of the numbers if it appeared alone. Ex. In
1953 the Dodgers won 105 games and lost 49. Spell out ordinal
numbers (such as first, second, and third). Ex. Jackie Robinson was
the first African American to play in the majors.
Slide 92
Writing Numbers Key Item Rule 7 Detail Use words to express the
time of day unless you are writing the exact time with
abbreviations. Ex. Todays baseball game began at two oclock.
Slide 93
Writing Numbers Key Item Rule 8 Detail Use numerals to express
dates, house and street numbers, apartment and room numbers, page
numbers, amounts of money of more than two words, and percentages.
Ex. May 16, 1865 241 Kobe Bryant Lane Apartment 3G 50 Percent