Comma Rules

Comma Rules

by Leslie Benda

​Commas in a series.

​Use a comma after each item in a series when listing nouns, phrases, or adjectives.

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​Series = a list of things!

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​When listing things out, you must put commas in between each item and also in front of the item before the conjunction.

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​We had a hot dog, chili, cheese, chips, and a coke.

Poll

Is this sentence correctly punctuated?

Ja'Myia Dorian and Ms. Benda ate cold chili dogs that made our stomachs hurt.

• NO

• YES

• I don't know

• Maybe

Open Ended

Why are there commas in this sentence?

At the end of learning recovery, we will celebrate with candy, popcorn, and a tasty beverage.

Draw

What is an appositive? Draw your answer below.

Appositive Phrases

​Use commas to offset grammatically unnecessary stuff, technically called an appositive phrase, from the rest of the sentence.

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​Appositives = Positively Identify!

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​The English teacher, Ms. Benda, wants her students to be successful!

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​Who is the English teacher? Can you positively identify her? The stuff in between the commas is considered the APPOSITIVE.

Poll

The Red River Rivalry, a long standing tradition, is a game played between the University of Texas and OU every year.

What is the appositive phrase?

• The Red River Rivalry

• University of Texas

• OU

• a long standing tradition

Poll

In September of 1921, Coleman, whom was now a proficient pilot, came back to the United States.

What is the appositive phrase?

• Coleman

• whom was now a proficient pilot

• came back to the United States

• There is no appositive phrase

​Complex Sentences need a comma under one condition...when the sentence starts with a DEPENDENT CLAUSE.

​When a sentence begins with an AAAWWUBBIS, use a comma after the dependent clause.

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​EX: Even though I don't like chili dogs, I ate one anyway.

Poll

Since I needed a lot of candy, I decided to go to Sam’s Club to buy it.

There are two clauses in the sentence above.

• No, there is only 1

• Yes, there are two clauses.

• I don't know.

​Two Independent Clauses

​Use a comma between two complete sentences joined by a FANBOYS, and make sure the comma goes before the FANBOYS.

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​He wanted a date to Homecoming, but he was too afraid to ask the girl out.

Poll

I eat very healthy, but I sure ate unhealthy today.

Why is there a comma?

• There are two complete sentences present.

• There should not be a comma.

• Because there are two sentences.

• I don't know.