Comma Rules, Khan Academy 1

Comma Rules,

Khan Academy 1

The Purpose of the Comma

The comma's job is to separate sentence elements so that the reader can see the relation and connection between words

Often, if you remove the items separated by commas, you still will have a complete sentence. The comma's job is to show you what parts are the main part versus extra parts.

Commas can also be used to show you where words can be rearranged or to clarify lists of items and numbers. And that's not all! We have plenty more to cover when it comes to commas!

Some Examples

When I am in school, I try to pay attention. The red part has been moved from the back of the sentence, and it could be removed and we would still have a complete sentence (“I try to pay attention”)

I like to eat fruits, vegetables, and candy. “I like to eat fruits,” “I like to eat vegetables,” and “I like to eat candy” are all sentences by themselves. The comma tells me I can rearrange those items and not affect the sentence.

“Best of luck on your comma assignment,” said Mr. Williams. The red part is a sentence. Who said it is extra information that–while useful to the reader–could be remove and not affect what was said (or in the case of a long conversation be inferred).

The Goal for Today

• We are going to review the comma rules covered in your Khan Academy videos, which include using commas with:

• Dates, and Lists/Series of Items

• Introductory Bits (Including adverbs, Yes/No at the start of sentences, and direct addresses)

• Subordinating Conjunctions (don’t worry about that term yet) , and...

• Dialogue

Multiple Choice

I was born on February 23 2012.

• I was born on February, 23, 2012.

• I was born on February 23, 2012.

• Correct

• I was born on, February 23, 2012.

Multiple Choice

My favorite colors are red blue and green.

• My favorite colors are red, blue and green.

• My favorite colors, are red, blue, and green.

• My favorite colors are red, blue, and green.

• My favorite colors are red, blue, and, green.

Multiple Choice

Playing soccer doing gymnastics and reading poetry are three activities that I enjoy.

• Playing soccer, doing gymnastics and reading poetry are three activities that I enjoy.

• Playing soccer, doing gymnastics, and reading poetry are three activities that I enjoy.

• Correct

• Playing soccer doing gymnastics and reading poetry, are three activities that I enjoy.

Multiple Choice

Before breakfast I took a shower and brushed my teeth.

• Before breakfast, I took a shower, and brushed my teeth.

• Before breakfast I took a shower, and brushed my teeth.

• Correct

• Before breakfast, I took a shower and brushed my teeth.

Multiple Choice

You like the Patriots correct?

• Correct

• You like the Patriots, correct?

• You like, the Patriots, correct?

• You, like the Patriots, correct?

Multiple Choice

Yuri did you do your science homework?

• Yuri, did you do your science homework?

• Yuri did you, do your science homework?

• Yuri, did you do your science, homework?

• Correct

Multiple Choice

When I played Among Us for the first time I was the Imposter!

• When I played, Among Us, for the first time I was the Imposter!

• Correct

• When I played Among Us for the first time, I was the Imposter!

• When, I played Among Us for the first time, I was the Imposter!

Multiple Choice

No I would not like any salad.

• Correct

• No I would not, like any salad.

• No, I would not like any salad.

• No, I would not, like any salad.

Multiple Choice

Who is your favorite musician Alex?

• Who is your favorite musician, Alex?

• Who, is your favorite musician, Alex?

• Who is, your favorite musician, Alex?

• Who is your favorite musician Alex?

Multiple Choice

Trevor said "Happy Arbor Day!"

• Correct

• Trevor, said, "Happy Arbor Day!"

• Trevor said ",Happy Arbor Day!"

• Trevor said, "Happy Arbor Day!"

Multiple Choice

"Happy Arbor Day!" Trevor said.

• Correct

• "Happy Arbor Day," Trevor said.

• "Happy, Arbor Day!" Trevor said.

• "Happy Arbor Day!", Trevor said.

Poll

How do you feel about these comma rules?

• I would ace this quiz!

• I would do well on this quiz!

• I would do okay on this quiz and need to study.

• I would not do well on this quiz and need to study.

CHALLENGE TIME!

Let's try combining some of these rules!

Multiple Choice

Erika you like country music don't you?

• Correct

• Erika, you like country music don't you?

• Erika you like country music, don't you?

• Erika, you like country music, don't you?

Multiple Choice

Thankfully I passed my science project math test and English essay.

• Thankfully, I passed my science project math test and English essay.

• Thankfully, I passed my science project, math test, and English essay.

• Thankfully I passed my science, project math test and English essay.

• Thankfully I passed my science project, math test, and English essay.

Multiple Choice

"My birthday is January 10 1999" said Jeremy.

• "My birthday is January 10, 1999" said Jeremy.

• "My birthday is January 10 1999," said Jeremy.

• "My birthday is January 10, 1999," said Jeremy.

• "My birthday is January 10, 1999", said Jeremy.

Multiple Choice

Sierra said "Yes I would like some ice cream, please" (The comma before please is correct)

• Correct

• Sierra said, "Yes I would like some ice cream, please"

• Sierra said "Yes, I would like some ice cream, please"

• Sierra said, "Yes, I would like some ice cream, please"

Multiple Choice

"Because my birthday party is tonight I'm super excited!" squealed Allison.

• "Because my birthday party is tonight, I'm super excited!" squealed Allison.

• Correct

• "Because my birthday party is tonight I'm super excited!", squealed Allison.

• "Because my birthday party is tonight, I'm super excited," squealed Allison!

Poll

How do you feel about these comma rules?

• I would ace this quiz!

• I would do well on this quiz!

• I would do okay on this quiz and need to study.

• I would not do well on this quiz and need to study.