Grammar:Grammar:Comma RulesComma Rules

There are several comma rules in the English language. We will learn the five most common uses of commas.

Rule #1:Separate the

elements in a series

- Use commas to separate the elements in a series of three or more things

Example of Rule #1Example of Rule #1

MLA-formatted research papers must

be double-spaced, have page numbers, and include a Works Cited page.

MLA-formatted research papers must be double-spaced, and have page numbers.

Your ExampleYour Example

Write your own example of a sentence that describes three things you plan to eat on Thanksgiving.

Rule #2:Comma and a

Coordinator

- Use a comma and a coordinator to separate two independent clauses

Example of Rule #2Example of Rule #2

Gladiators were slaves and prisoners, but they were able to buy their freedom with their winnings.

Buddhism was the most popular religion, yet followers of Shinto were proliferating across the country.

Your ExampleYour Example

Write your own example of a sentence that describes something that happened this morning. It must include a comma and a coordinator.

Rule #3:Introduce a

dependent clause

- Use a comma when starting a sentence with a dependent clause

Example of Rule #3Example of Rule #3Since they were trained at a young

age, Spartans grew up to become highly disciplined soldiers.

Although the faun warned her not to

eat anything, Ofelia still chose to eat a grape from the table.

Your ExampleYour Example

Write your own example of a sentence that describes something you plan to do over Winter Break. It must start with a dependent clause.

Rule #4:Set off

nonessential clauses

- Use two commas to include a nonessential clause

- They simply add more information

Example of Rule #4Example of Rule #4

The shogun, who was similar to a general, controlled the military power of Japan.

Phoenix, which is the capital of Arizona, has 1.5 million residents.

The road barricades impeded, or blocked, their drive home after work.

Your ExampleYour Example

Complete the following sentence:

_______, which is one of my favorite movies, is basically about________.

Rule #5:Separate

coordinate adjectives

- Use commas to separate multiple adjectives in a sentence

- These are called coordinate adjectives

Example of Rule #5Example of Rule #5

It turned out to be a cold, windy day.

During the feudal era, Japan became a chaotic, disorganized country that fell deeper into global isolation.

The cheerful, magnanimous family donated Christmas presents to the Children’s Hospital.

Your ExampleYour Example

Write an example of sentence that describes an object in this classroom, the weather today, or one of your best friends.

Questions?!

Let’s practice what we Let’s practice what we just learned!just learned!