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Grammar Lesson Two. Topic: Punctuation (Commas) English III. Why Punctuation is Used. When you speak, you often need to pause in the middle of a sentence. When you write, you show these pauses by using punctuation.
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Grammar Lesson Two Topic: Punctuation (Commas) English III
Why Punctuation is Used • When you speak, you often need to pause in the middle of a sentence. • When you write, you show these pauses by using punctuation. • Punctuation marks make writing easier to understand. They are like built-in features in your favorite electronic device– they are inserted by the creator of the piece to make it user-friendly.
Why Commas are Used: A Short Pause • Use a comma in a sentence to show that there should be a short pause between words. • Ex) I wish I had a hamburger, because I’m really hungry.
Why Commas Are Used:Introduce Direct Quotations • Use commas to separate the quotation from the words that tell who is speaking. • Ex) Max screamed, “No! I won’t! I don’t wanna!” • Ex) The little girl begged, “Please can I go with you to the store?” • Ex) Sally exclaimed, “I won! I won!”
Why Commas are Used:To Separate • Use commas to set off words in a sentence • Sometimes, a sentence begins with an introductory word or group of words. Use a comma to separate the introductory word or words from the rest of the sentence. • If a word or group of words interrupts the flow of thought in a sentence, use commas to set off such a word or words from the rest of the sentence. • Ex) I will, of course, make all A’s. • Sometimes, a person is addressed, or spoken to, by name in a sentence. The name can be at the beginning, at the end, or in the middle of the sentence. Use commas to separate the person’s name from the rest of the sentence. • Ex) John, go to the store for me. • Ex) I don’t understand, Aunt Sally!
Why Commas Are Used:A Series • A series in writing is formed by three or more of the same kinds of items in a row. • Each item can be a single word or group of words. A comma is used between each item in a series. • Ex.) Lydia knows how to speak English, Arabic, and French. • My favorite foods are peanut butter and jelly, mac and cheese, and lifesavers.
Why Commas Are Used:Dates • Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year in a date. • October 18th, 2007 • If the date is at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence, put another comma after the year. • Ex) The day that I was born, October 13, 1979, was a Saturday. • Do not use a comma in a date that has only the name of the month and the year. • Ex) I was married June 2006.
Why Commas Are Used:Place Names • Use a comma between the name of a city or town and between the name of a state or country. • Ex) I was born in Austin, Texas. • If the two place names come at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence, use a comma after it to separate it from the rest of the sentence. • Ex) Dublin, Ireland, receives much rain.
Why Commas Are Used: Mellow Interjections • An interjection is a word or group of words that expresses emotion. Always separate the interjection from the rest of the sentence with a punctuation mark. • Use comma after an interjection that does not show strong emotion. • Example) Well, I might be able to meet you, if it’s okay with my mother.