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.