WELCOME TO COMMA TIME!
All you have ever wanted to know
about commas…and more!
C O M P O U N D S E N T E N C E S
You are to use a comma before the conjunction
that joins the two main clauses of a compound
sentence.
Example:
Eighth grade students used to be untrained in
writing, but now they are ready to master the
ADAW.
PRACTICE
1.Mrs. Troncale is an English teacher and she loves
to teach.
2.Mrs. Roberts is a teacher and Ms. Peck is a
teacher.
3.I can read so can you.
4.My son got a train for Christmas but I got an I-
phone.
Use commas to separate a series of
three or more words.
Example:I dropped my pencil, papers, and
books.
ITEMS IN A SERIES
COMMA – DAY,YEAR
Use a comma between
the day and year. Example:
January 26, 1957
COMMA – CITY,STATE
Use a comma between the city or
town and the state or country.
Example:
I visited Dublin, Ireland a few years
ago.
PRACTICE
1.I was born in Birmingham AL.
2.Today on January 6 2011, you are learning
about commas.
3.Last summer, I visited Venice Italy.
Use a comma to separate introductory words
like “yes” and “no” and mild interjections,
including prepositional phrases.Examples:
Oh, I heard that before. Yes, I will be here.In the book, the character is different.
INTRODUCTORY WORDS
NOUNS OF DIRECT ADDRESS
Use a comma or commas to set off
words or phrases used as nouns of
direct address (nominatives of
address).Examples:
Joe, get over here. Get over here, Joe. Young man, get over here.
1. Did you Susan see him at the meetings?
2. I will call you in the morning Steve.
3. After the play Fred thought they did a good
job.
4. Oh you want to try my patience more.
5. No I didn't see you there.
PRACTICE
Use a comma after the greeting of a casual letter
and the closing of a casual letter.
Example: Dear Anna,
Example: Love, Tom
GREETING/CLOSING
EXPLANATORY WORDS
Use a comma to set off explanatory words
with direct quotations.Examples: Mrs. Troncale said, “Take out a
piece of paper.”• “Take out a piece of paper,” said Mrs.
Troncale
1. Dear Tom
2. Mrs. Troncale said “Good
morning!”
3. Sincerely
4. “A rose” he said “means love.”
PRACTICE
Use commas to set off appositives, especially if
the meaning of the sentence is clear without
them.EXAMPLE: One group, the American Nurses’ Association, admits only registered nurses.
APPOSITIVES
Use commas between two or more adjectives of
equal rank that modify the same noun. The
adjectives are of equal rank if you can substitute
the word “and” for the comma.
Example:
Mrs. Troncale is an intelligent, competent, well-
trained teacher.
ADJECTIVES
INTERRUPTERS
Use commas to set off a word or phrase that
interrupts the flow of thought in a sentence.
Example: The stone provided, at long last, a
key to hieroglyphics.