Commas: Top Ten Uses For the Comma

1. Commas:Top Ten Uses For the Comma A comma (,) is used to separate various kinds of information within a sentence. Separating the various elements helps to make the independent clause stand out for the reader so that the main idea of the sentence is easier to find and understand. If you know the reasons for using commas, you will better understand what you read, and other people will better understand what you write. Click here for COMMAS TOP TEN LIST Purdue OWL: Quick Rules on Commas

2. Commas:Top Ten Uses For the Comma To separate items in a list: the serial comma To set off a long introductory phrase To connect two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) To attach a dependent clause at the front of an independent clause To set off a non-essential phrase, interrupter, or appositive (phrase that describes the noun that precedes it) To separate strings of adjectives when the word and could fit between them To separate cities from states, states from countries, and, in some cases, dates from years. To separate a direct address from its attached statement or an interjection from its attached sentence To separate names from titles To introduce dialogue from characters or direct quotes Click on any of the Top Ten for explanations, examples, and exercises.

3. Commas: #1: To separate items in a list or series (called serial commas). Jack says a good team has intensity, cooperation, and determination. Chloe looks for plot, characters, and imagery in a good book. We brought turkey and swiss, baloney, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Click here for COMMAS TOP TEN LIST

4. Commas: #2. To set off a long introductory phrase or clause. While eating his Cocoa Crispies, Cody read the cereal box. (introductory phrase) (offset by a comma) After finding her journal and best pen, Kayla sat down and began to write. (introductory phrase) (offset by a comma) Rocking violently, the treehouse trembled against the raging wind.(introductory phrase) (offset by a comma) Click here for COMMAS TOP TEN LIST Purdue OWL: Introductory Phrase Comma

5. Commas: #3: To connect two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction. The seven coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so (FANBOYS). The students followed the steps of the rubric, and the resulting essays were excellent. Joe apologized, but Sydney seemed oblivious. (independent clause)+(comma/conjunction)+(independent clause) The early bird gets the worm, but the night owl gets the night life.(independent clause)+( , but)+(independent clause) Click here for COMMAS TOP TEN LIST Purdue OWL: Commas v. Semicolons in Compound Sentences

6. Commas: #4: To attach a dependent clause at the front end of an independent clause. Do not use a comma to attach a dependent clause to the back end of an independent clause. While the professor lectured, the students took notes. (dependent clause) (attached to independent clause with a comma) The students took notes while the professor lectured. (The dependent clause is at the back end of the independent clause- no comma needed.) Click to see another example of DEPENDENT CLAUSE ATTACHED TO INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Click here for COMMAS TOP TEN LIST

7. Commas: #4: To attach a dependent clause to the front end of an independent clause. Do not use a comma to attach a dependent clause to the back end of an independent clause. James went to the baseball game because he loves sports. (The dependent clause is at the back end of the independent clause- no comma needed.) Because he loves sports, James went to the baseball game. (dependent clause) (attached to independent clause with a comma) Click here to return to DEPENDENT CLAUSE ATTACHED TO INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Click here for COMMAS TOP TEN LIST

8. Commas: #5: To set off a non-essential phrase, interrupter, or appositive (a phrase that describes the noun that precedes it). Sammy, the server, scored several points. (noun) (phrase describes noun- appositive phrase) Zach’s favorite book, an epic adventure, was 88o pages! (noun phrase) (phrase describes phrase) Turkey,which goes great with gravy, can make a person sleepy. Click here for COMMAS TOP TEN LIST Purdue OWL: Non-Essentials and Appositives

9. Commas: #6: To separate strings of adjectives when the word and could fit between them Can you put the word and between the two adjectives and the sentence still makes sense? Can you reverse the order of the adjectives and the sentence still makes sense? If you can do these things, then use a comma between the adjectives. James’s pug is a chubby and small dog. (The word and fits between the two adjectives) James’s pug is a small and chubby dog. (The adjectives are reversible) James’s pug is a small, chubby dog. (Separate strings of coordinate adjectives with a comma) Click here for another example of COORDINATE ADJECTIVES Click here for COMMAS TOP TEN LIST

10. Commas: #6: To separate strings of adjectives when the word and could fit between them Can you put the word and between the two adjectives and the sentence still makes sense? Can you reverse the order of the adjectives and the sentence still makes sense? If you can do these things, then use a comma between the adjectives. Their journey was arduous and long. (The word and fits between the two adjectives) Their journey was long and arduous. (The adjectives are reversible) Theirs was a long,arduous journey. (Separate strings of coordinate adjectives with a comma) Click here to go back to COORDINATE ADJECTIVES Click here for COMMAS TOP TEN LIST

11. Commas: #7: To separate cities from states, states from countries, and, in some cases, dates from years. I’m proud to live in Paw Paw, Michigan. (city, state) Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. (city, state, country) The school was founded on October 20, 1903. (number of date separated from year) The exam is Tuesday, January 12, 2014. (separate day from month, month from year) Click here for COMMAS TOP TEN LIST

12. Commas: #8: To separate a direct address from its attached statement or an interjection from its attached sentence Close the door, please. John, are you coming with us? Yes, I want to come with you. No, thank you, I don’t want any doughnuts. Click here for COMMAS TOP TEN LIST

13. Commas: #9: To separate names from titles Alice Wilson, CEO of Megacorp, announced the company’s new strategy yesterday. Mr. Dahlinger, principal of Paw Paw High School, loves his students. Click here for COMMAS TOP TEN LIST

14. Commas: #10: Tointroduce dialogue from characters or direct quotes Lifting his head slowly, glaring from one big, round eye, Chucky growled, “Gimme back my sandwich.” “Just let go of the rope,” Julie said. Astronomer Nancy Beckett claims, “Nothing escapes the black hole” (38). The New York Times article states, “It was the worst debacle of the century” (Johnson 12). Click here for COMMAS TOP TEN LIST

15. Commas Lesson Storyboard 1. Serial Commas Title Slide: Commas Storyboard 2. Intro Phrases 10. To set off dialogue or direct quotes Top Ten List of Uses For Commas 3. Joining Ind. Clauses 9. Between names and titles 4. Joining Dep./Ind. Clauses Works Cited 8. Direct Address; Interjections 4. Joining Dep./Ind. Clauses x2 7. Between Cites, Sates, Countries, Dates, Years 5. Non-essential phrases, appositives, interrupters 6. Multiple Adjectives 6. Multiple Adjectives x2 Click here for COMMAS TOP TEN LIST Click here for WORKS CITED

16. Works Cited Fine, Edith and Judith Josephson. Nitty-Gritty Grammar: A Not-So-Serious Guide to Clear Communication. Berkeley, CA, Ten Speed Press, 1998. Print. Fogarty, Mignon. Grammar Girl Presents the Ultimate Writing Guide For Students. New York, New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2011. Print. Hamilton, Fran Santoro. Hands-On English. St. Louis, MO: Portico Books, 1998. Print. Click here for COMMAS TOP TEN LIST Click here for STORY BOARD