Comma Use

Punctuation: Commas

Ways We Use Commas

In lists to separate items in a series of 3+ items

• Culture is a way of thinking, feeling, and believing.

• We still have to memorize a few simple rules for using the comma, the period, the colon, and the apostrophe. 

• This weekend I have to go to a baby shower, get groceries, and do some meal prepping for next week.

Ways We Use Commas

To separate adjectives

• Coordinate adjectives

  • The huge, restless, noisy crowd waited for the concert to start. (Each adjective gives us more info about "crowd.")

  • The big, fluffy dog had a tiny, squeaky bark.

Ways We Use Commas

Note:

• Cumulative adjectives

  • The concert featured several new bands. (New modifies bands; several modifies new bands.) 

Ways We Use Commas

To separate adjectives

• Note:

  • The big, fluffy dog had a tiny, squeaky bark.

  • Big + fluffy describe the noun "dog" & come before the noun.

  • If adjectives after noun, use normal list rules.

  • The dog was big and fluffy. (Use "and" + no comma)

  • The dog was big, fluffy, and cute.

Ways We Use Commas

To separate adjectives

• Note:

  • The Oxford comma (comma before "and" at the end of a list) is optional. Just be consistent!

  • Both of the following sentences are correct.

  • The dog was big, fluffy, and cute.

  • The dog was big, fluffy and cute.

Ways We Use Commas

Caution

• A list has at least three items. Be careful NOT to put a comma between two items joined by and.

• BAD example: My grandma likes going for long walks around the lake, and driving her new Mazda Miata faster than the law allows. 

• Corrected: My grandma likes going for long walks around the lake and driving her new Mazda Miata faster than the law allows. 

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• The big and colourful salad looked delicious.

• The big, colourful salad looked delicious.

• The big, and colourful salad looked delicious.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• My first car was small and purple.

• My first car was small, and purple.

• My first car was small, purple.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• I have two pets: a dog named Frankie and a cat named Julio.

• I have two pets; a dog named Frankie and a cat named Julio.

• I have two pets a dog named Frankie and a cat named Julio.

Multiple Select

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• This week I have tests in Math, Science and English.

• This week I have tests in Math, Science, and English.

• This week I have tests in Math, Science, English.

Multiple Select

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• To take notes, you'll need a pencil, paper, and an eraser.

• To take notes, you'll need a pencil, paper, an eraser.

• To take notes, you'll need a pen, paper and an eraser.

Ways We Use Commas

To separate complete ideas

• Use a comma before and, but, so, or, nor, for, and yet (FANBOYS) when they are used to link independent clauses (sentences).

• The sky was dark and grey, and the wind died suddenly. 

• Note: If the sentence is short, simple, and clear enough to understand without the comma, you can omit the comma.
  

Ways We Use Commas

To separate complete ideas

• The comma CANNOT join two sentences by itself. You must add one of the conjunctions listed above or change the comma to a period.

• Bad example: Microsoft hasn’t invented a punctuation checker, we still have to memorize a few simple rules. 

• Good example: Microsoft hasn’t invented a punctuation checker, so we still have to memorize a few simple rules. 

Ways We Use Commas

​To set off introductory, parenthetical, or concluding elements.

• Use commas after an introductory clause, phrase, or word:

• When I drive, I am fearless. (I am fearless when I drive has no comma.) 

• Beginning in infancy, we develop lifelong tastes for sweet and salty foods. 
  

Ways We Use Commas

​To set off introductory, parenthetical, or concluding elements.

• Use commas around a parenthetical phrase inserted into the middle of a complete sentence or added to the end. 

• Yogurt is good for you. Poutine, on the other hand, is not. 

• I am fearless when I drive, which not a good thing. 
  

Ways We Use Commas

Use commas to set off nonessential elements but not essential elements. (Essential = essential to be grammatically correct)

• Ann Hom, who is in excellent physical condition, enjoys jogging. (The information inside the commas is not essential.) 

• Youth care services in Saskatchewan are among the best in the country.  (The youth care services in this sentence are restricted to those in Saskatchewan, so the information is essential.) 

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correctly punctuated?

• In 1987 a star was born.

• In 1987; a star was born.

• In 1987, a star was born.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correctly punctuated?

• While I was eating lunch. I realized something.

• While I was eating lunch, I realized something.

• While I was eating lunch; I realized something.

• While I was eating lunch: I realized something.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correctly punctuated?

• I like pizza. I don't, however, like tomato sauce.

• I like pizza. I don't however like tomato sauce.

• I like pizza, I don't, however; like tomato sauce.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correctly punctuated?

• Verna; our instructor - told us to ask questions.

• Verna our instructor told us to ask questions.

• Verna, our instructor, told us to ask questions.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correctly punctuated?

• Johnny. who I met yesterday; is coming over tonight.

• Johnny who I met yesterday is coming over tonight.

• Johnny, who I met yesterday, is coming over tonight.

Ways We Use Commas

For dates

Today is September 13, 2023.
Tomorrow is Thursday, September 14, 2023.

Ways We Use Commas

For places

The campus is located in Regina, Saskatchewan.
The cost of living is not bad in Saskatchewan, Canada.
We are in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Ways We Use Commas

For numbers

I'd like $1,000,000 please.
The bill was $1,500.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is punctuated correctly? (Note: Calgary is a city in the province of Alberta.)

• I'm traveling to Calgary, Alberta this winter.

• I'm traveling to Calgary Alberta this winter.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• The yearly salary is $78:500.

• The yearly salary is $78,500.

• The yearly salary is

  $78. 500.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• The holidays start on 20 December 2023.

• The holidays start on December 20, 2023.

• The holidays start on December, 20, 2023.

Open Ended

Copy the following sentence and add commas in the proper places.

The new student Dave asked me to be his friend.

Open Ended

Copy the following sentence and add commas in the proper places.

In the morning I usually make a smoothie.

Open Ended

Copy the following sentence and add commas in the proper places.

A flight to Toronto Ontario costs $1100 right now.