Commas Save Lives (and Prevent Misunderstandings)!

Let’s eat Grandma.Let’s eat, Grandma.In my room I have photographs of my

friends, Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus.In my room I have photographs of my

friends, Justin Bieber, and Miley Cyrus.

Commas!

Why do we need or use commas?Give an example of a rule for using a

comma. Write a sentence that shows that rule.

How many rules are there for using commas?

More important: how can you remember them all?

Reasons for Using Commas

Reason #1

Items in a series The flag is red, white, and blue.

We watched the heavy, pounding rain during the storm.

Reason #2

Between independent clauses with a conjunction

Conjunctions: and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet

The mayor gave a speech, and reporters asked questions.

The telephone rang several times, but no one answered it.

Review: Reasons 1 & 2

1. Items in a series

2. Between independent clauses with a conjunction

Reason #3

After introductory expressions Jerry, please close the door. After the first snowflakes, we all got

excited. Because the roads were slick, Mary

drove carefully.

Review: Reasons 1, 2, & 3

1. Items in a series

2. Between independent clauses with a conjunction

3. After introductory expressions

Practice

1. Bill enjoys playing video games, listening to his IPod, and hanging out with friends.

2. My parents wish to go to Disney World, my brother wants to visit our cousins in Tennessee, but I would like to go to the beach.

3. The woman told me to look on the next aisle, so I was able to find the movie I wanted.

4. During your first year of high school, you learn to adjust to a faster pace of classes.

5. After we found our cabin, we unpacked the car and settled in our rooms.

Reason #4

Before and after interrupting expressions

Mow the lawn, Dennis, before it rains. Cecelia put the plant, a cactus, on the

table. This is Greg Nelson, who is from

Atlanta.

Review: Reasons 1, 2, 3, & 4

1. Items in a series

2. Between independent clauses with a conjunction

3. After introductory expressions

4. Before and after interrupting expressions

Reason #5

With dates, addresses, & the closing of a letter

Laura was born on May 29, 1993, in

Canton, Ohio, the youngest of three sisters.

Very sincerely yours,

Review: Reasons 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5

1. Items in a series2. Between independent clauses with

a conjunction3. After introductory expressions4. Before and after interrupting

expressions5. With dates, addresses, & the

closing of a letter

Reason #6

With quotationsMaria said, “This is my jacket.”

“Before you leave, ” Tony remarked, “please call your mother.”

Review: All Six Reasons

1. Items in a series2. Between independent clauses with a

conjunction3. After introductory expressions4. Before and after interrupting

expressions5. With dates, addresses, & the closing of

a letter6. With quotations