Comma Rules 1-4

Commas: Day 1

Rules 1-4

Comma Rule #1

Use commas to separate words and word groups in a series of three or more items.

Example #1

My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew.

Example #2

We had coffee, cheese and crackers, and grapes.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences is an example of items in a series?

• They passed the plate, served the scrumptious food, and ate hungrily.

• She owns a dog and hamster.

• Bob listened to the comedian and laughed at his hilarious jokes.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences places the commas properly for items in a series?

• Easton placed stickers on the wall, the floor and the counter.

• Easton placed stickers on the wall the floor, and the counter.

• Easton placed stickers on the wall, the floor, and the counter.

• Easton placed stickers on the wall the floor and the counter.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas to punctuate a series correctly?

• It took hours to clean up the glitter. It was in my desk, under my bed and on my shelves.

• It took hours to clean up the glitter. It was in my desk, under my bed, and on my shelves.

• It took hours to clean up the glitter. It was in my desk under my bed, and on my shelves.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas to punctuate a series correctly?

• The principal, the teachers, and the staff gather in the library for a meeting.

• The principal, the teachers and the staff gathered in the library for a meeting.

• The principal, the teachers and the staff, gathered in the library for a meeting.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

• I wanted to buy cookies chips and, candy.
• I wanted to buy cookies chips and candy.
• I wanted to buy cookies, chips, and candy.

Comma Rule #2

Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the order of the adjectives is interchangeable.

How to check for Coordinate Adjectives

• Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives are switched?

• Can you put the word and between the adjectives?

• If they answer is yes to BOTH of the questions, you need to use a comma between them.

• If then answer is no to one or both of the questions, you do not use a comma between them.

Multiple Choice

True or False:

Two tests to see whether adjectives need a comma between them are to reverse their positions and place an "and" between them. If the sentence still makes sense, place a comma between the adjectives.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Can you switch the order of the two adjectives in the sentence?

Yipping loudly, the happy carefree poodle played in the backyard.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Can you place the word and between the two adjectives?

Yipping loudly, the happy carefree poodle played in the backyard.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Yipping loudly, the happy carefree poodle played in the backyard.

• Coordinate (need a comma)

• Not Coordinate (no comma needed)

Multiple Choice

Can you switch the order of the two adjectives in the sentence?

We are lucky to have access to clean safe water.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Can you place the word and between the two adjectives?

We are lucky to have access to clean safe water.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

We are lucky to have access to clean safe water.

• Coordinate (need a comma)

• Not Coordinate (no comma needed)

Multiple Choice

Can you swith the order of the two adjectives in the sentence?

Ella hung up the lime green curtains in her room.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Ella hung up the lime green curtains in her room.

• Coordinate (need a comma)

• Not Coordinate (no comma needed)

Rule #3

Use a comma before FANBOYS conjunctions in compound sentences.

Example

He walked all the way home, and he shut the door.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is written correctly?

• The boys were ready to play again, but suddenly it started to rain.

• The boys were ready to play again but suddenly it started to rain.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is written correctly?

• People learned better ways to grow plants, and produce more food from those plants.

• People learned better ways to grow plants and produce more food from those plants.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is written correctly?

• Rocky terrorizes the poodles next door, but adores the German shepherd across the street.

• Rocky terrorizes the poodles next door but adores the German shepherd across the street.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is written correctly?

• Most dogs love to learn and play, but it takes a special dog to be a disc dog.

• Most dogs love to learn and play but it takes a special dog to be a disc dog.

Rule #4

Use a comma after a dependent clause or phrase when it starts a complex sentence.

Introductory PHRASE Example

Having finally arrived in town, we went shopping.

Introductory CLAUSE Example

If you are not sure about this, let me know now.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• Before the storm began I latched all of the windows tight.
• Before the storm began, I latched all of the windows tight.
• Before, the storm began, I latched all of the windows tight.
• Before the storm began, I latched, all of, the windows tight.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence has the correct punctuation?

• While we were in Pasadena; we saw the Rose Bowl Parade.
• While we were in Pasadena. We saw the Rose Bowl Parade.
• While we were in Pasadena we saw the Rose Bowl Parade.
• While we were in Pasadena, we saw the Rose Bowl Parade.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence has the correct placement of the comma?

• Even though I forgot to take out the trash my mom, let me go to the party.

• Even though, I forgot to take out the trash my mom let me go to the party.

• Even though I forgot, to take out the trash my mom let me go to the party.

• Even though I forgot to take out the trash, my mom let me go to the party.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence has the correct placement of the comma?

• All, of a sudden the lights turned out.
• All of a sudden, the lights turned out.
• All of a sudden the lights, turned out.
• All of, a sudden the lights turned out.