Commas for Pause

Commas

Helpful Terms to Know

• Phrase - lacks either noun or verb (or both) Clause - contains a subject and a verb

• Dependent Clause will start with a subordinate conjunction (sounds unfinished)

• Independent Clause could be a sentence by itself 

• Example: After English class, I am always in a good mood.

• Example: After I go to English class, I am always in a good mood.

Rule #1: Use a comma to show a pause after an introductory word, phrase, or prepositional phrase (of typically 3+words) at the beginning of a sentence.

• Ex: Having eaten, we washed the dishes.

• EX: At the strangest times, you will find my mom knitting.

• Tip: No comma if the prepositional phrase is short.

• EX: Before breakfast you will find my mom knitting.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

In the spring of 1930 marine science took a giant step forward

• In the spring, of 1930 marine science took a giant step forward

• In the spring of 1930, marine science took a giant step forward

• In the spring of 1930 marine science, took a giant step forward

• In, the spring of 1930 marine science took a giant step forward

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

To make the dive scientists designed a deep-sea vehicle.

• To make, the dive scientists designed a deep-sea vehicle.

• To make the dive, scientists designed a deep-sea vehicle.

• To make the dive scientists, designed a deep-sea vehicle.

• To make the dive scientists designed, a deep-sea vehicle.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

Fortunately the vehicle worked well.

• Fortunately the vehicle, worked well.

• Fortunately the vehicle worked, well.

• Fortunately the, vehicle worked well.

• Fortunately, the vehicle worked well.

Rule #2: Use a comma after a dependent clause (starting with a subordinate conjunction) at the beginning of a sentence.

• EX: Before it rained, I threw a tarp over the hay.

• EX: Wherever I go, you will be in my heart.

• 
  

  Tip: You will not have a comma if the dependent clause comes at the end of the sentence.

• EX: You will be in my heart wherever I go.

Multiple Choice

Which is the correct sentence?

After the ball Cinderella had to run home.

• After, the ball Cinderella had to run home.

• After the ball Cinderella, had to run home.

• After the ball Cinderella had to run, home.

• After the ball, Cinderella had to run home.

Multiple Choice

Which is the correct sentence?

After crashing his car into a fence the boy admitted to not having a license.

• After crashing his car into a fence, the boy admitted to not having a license.

• After crashing his car, into a fence the boy admitted to not having a license.

• After crashing, his car into a fence the boy admitted to not having a license.

• After crashing his car into a fence the boy, admitted to not having a license.

Multiple Choice

Which is the correct sentence?

Before I left the parking lot I checked to make sure no one was in the back seat.

• Before I left, the parking lot I checked to make sure no one was in the back seat.

• Before I left the parking lot, I checked to make sure no one was in the back seat.

• Before I left the parking lot I checked, to make sure no one was in the back seat.

• Before I left the parking lot I checked to make sure, no one was in the back seat.

Rule #3: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) that links two independent clauses.

• EX: I really want to go to work, but I’m too sick to drive.

• EX: Do you like pretzels, or do you prefer chips?

• TIP: Do not use a comma if there is not both a subject and verb on either side of the coordinating conjunction.

• EX: Do you like pretzels or prefer chips?  ← no comma

Rule #3 (Cont): Commas alone do not have the power to join two independent clauses.  They must have a coordinating conjunction.  When this mistake is made, it’s called a COMMA SPLICE.

• EX: Jeff left for work early, he still arrived late.  ← COMMA SPLICE!

• Correct it by adding a conjunction:

• Ex: Jeff left for work early, but he arrived late.

• 
  

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

Roger led the way and shouted encouragement yet the first time explorers were reluctant to follow

• Roger led the way, and shouted encouragement yet the first time explorers were reluctant to follow

• Roger led the way and shouted encouragement, yet the first time explorers were reluctant to follow

• Roger, led the way and shouted encouragement yet the first time explorers were reluctant to follow

• Roger led the way and shouted encouragement yet the first time, explorers were reluctant to follow

Multiple Choice

Which is the correct sentence?

The election is over but campaign posters still can be seen everywhere.

• The election, is over but campaign posters still can be seen everywhere.

• The election is over but campaign posters, still can be seen everywhere.

• The election is over but, campaign posters still can be seen everywhere.

• The election is over but campaign posters still can be seen, everywhere.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

Our apartment walls are very thin so we can hear our neighbors talking.

• Our apartment walls are very thin, so we can hear our neighbors talking.

• Our apartment, walls are very thin so we can hear our neighbors talking.

• Our apartment walls, are very thin so we can hear our neighbors talking.

• Our apartment walls are very thin so we can hear, our neighbors talking.

Rule #4: When directly addressing a noun, use a comma to separate it from the rest of the sentence.

• EX: Happy birthday, Emily!

• EX: No, Liam, you may not dress like a chicken.

• 
  

Remember: COMMAS SAVE LIVES!!!!!

Let’s eat, Grandma.

vs.

Let’s eat Grandma.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

Spencer you do not have school today.

• Spencer you, do not have school today.

• Spencer you do not, have school today.

• Spencer you do not have school, today.

• Spencer, you do not have school today.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

Those are my shoes Tricia.

• Those, are my shoes Tricia.

• Those are my, shoes Tricia.

• Those are my shoes, Tricia.

• Those are, my shoes Tricia.

Multiple Choice

Which is the correct sentence?

Get off the fence Sam or I am telling mom!

• Get off the fence Sam or I am telling, mom!

• Get off the fence, Sam, or I am telling mom!

• Get off, the fence, Sam or I am telling mom!

• Get off the fence, Sam or I am telling mom!

Rule #5: Use a comma to separate adjectives that equally modify the same noun

• EX: John’s eyes met the hard, bright lights.

• EX: Matt was tired of working in the hot, smelly kitchen. 

• TIP: 

  If it makes sense to insert “and” between the adjectives, use a comma.  If not, don’t use a comma.

  
  

• EX: She took her usual morning walk.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

The pitiful little puppy sat shivering at the side of the road.

• The pitiful little puppy ,sat shivering at the side of the road.

• The pitiful little puppy sat, shivering at the side of the road.

• The pitiful, little puppy sat shivering at the side of the road.

• The pitiful little puppy sat shivering at the side, of the road.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

The sad lonely bus riders sat in silence as they traveled through the city.

• The sad lonely bus riders sat, in silence as they traveled through the city.

• The sad lonely bus riders sat in silence as they traveled, through the city.

• The sad lonely bus riders, sat in silence as they traveled through the city.

• The sad, lonely bus riders sat in silence as they traveled through the city.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

The poster depicted a brown-haired blue-eyed child wearing a red denim shirt.

• The poster depicted a brown-haired, blue-eyed child wearing a red denim shirt.

• The poster depicted, a brown-haired blue-eyed child wearing a red denim shirt.

• The poster depicted a brown-haired blue-eyed child wearing a red, denim shirt.

• The poster depicted a brown-haired blue-eyed child wearing, a red denim shirt.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

Peter lives in that old smelly house.

• Peter lives, in that old smelly house.

• Peter, lives in that old smelly house.

• Peter lives in that old, smelly house.

• Peter lives in that old smelly, house.

Rule #6: Use a comma to separate an interjection or an interruption from the rest of the sentence.

• EX: Hey, how are you?   ← interjection

• EX: Okay, what do I do now?  ← interjection  

• EX: For me, well, it’s pretty easy. ← interruption

• 
  

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

Hey I did not say that.

• Hey I did not, say that.

• Hey I, did not say that.

• Hey, I did not say that.

• Hey I did not say, that.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

Look all I am saying is that he is a liar.

• Look, all I am saying is that he is a liar.

• Look all I am saying, is that he is a liar.

• Look all I am saying is, that he is a liar.

• Look all, I am saying is that he is a liar.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

No dude we do not leave out shoes in the middle of the street.

• No dude, we do not leave out shoes in the middle of the street.

• No, dude, we do not leave out shoes in the middle of the street.

• No dude we do not leave out shoes, in the middle of the street.

• No, dude we do not leave out shoes in the middle of the street.

Rule #7: Use a comma or a pair of commas to set off a parenthetical or nonessential phrases/clauses.

• EX: The girl, who was quite beautiful, was the first in line.

• EX: He went with Sarah, his coworker, for a walk.

• 
  

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

Judy who is his mom made the best chocolate chip cookies.

• Judy, who is his mom made the best chocolate chip cookies.

• Judy who is his mom, made the best chocolate chip cookies.

• Judy, who is his mom, made the best chocolate chip cookies.

• Judy who is his mom made the best chocolate, chip cookies.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

The pizza which tasted awful was on special for $12.99.

• The pizza, which tasted awful was on special for $12.99.

• The pizza, which tasted awful, was on special for $12.99.

• The pizza which tasted awful, was on special for $12.99.

• The pizza which tasted awful was on special, for $12.99.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

My puppy who is only 6 months old still has accidents in the house.

• My puppy, who is only 6 months old, still has accidents in the house.

• My puppy who is only 6 months old ,still has accidents, in the house.

• My puppy, who is only 6 months old still has accidents in the house.

• My puppy who is only 6 months old still has accidents, in the house.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

The pizza which tasted awful was on special for $12.99.

• The pizza, which tasted awful was on special for $12.99.

• The pizza, which tasted awful, was on special for $12.99.

• The pizza which tasted awful, was on special for $12.99.

• The pizza which tasted awful was on special, for $12.99.

Rule #8 - use commas to separate three or more items in a series.

• EX: My favorite foods are fruits, vegetables, and tofu.

• EX: I took her for walks, read her stories, and made up games.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

There were punch cookies and cake at the party.

• There were punch cookies and cake, at the party.

• There, were punch cookies and cake at the party.

• There were punch cookies, and cake at the party.

• There were punch, cookies, and cake at the party.

Multiple Choice

Which is the correct sentence?

I like Friday Saturday and Sunday.

• I like Friday Saturday, and Sunday.

• I like Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

• I like, Friday Saturday and Sunday.

• I like Friday Saturday and, Sunday.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

Beth invited Chad Sarah Taylor and Missy to her birthday party.

• Beth invited Chad, Sarah Taylor and Missy to her birthday party.

• Beth invited Chad SarahTaylor, and Missy to her birthday party.

• Beth invited Chad SarahTaylor and Missy, to her birthday party.

• Beth invited Chad, Sarah,Taylor, and Missy to her birthday party.

Oxford Comma

• The Oxford comma goes before the coordinating conjunction in a list.

• It’s optional, but most teachers prefer it.  Plus, you could end up with confusion, like this: → 1`