Using Punctuation Correctly

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Using Punctuation Correctly

• (Everything I always wanted to know about commas)

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Commas are very important in your writing.

• Learn how to use them correctly by following all
  the rules in these exercises.
• Dont forget to use commas when theyre needed.
• Dont use too many commaswe dont want a bunch
  of unnecessary ones floating around!

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• A series is three or more items of the same kind.
  Your writing may contain a series of words, of
  phrases, or of clauses.
• 1. January February and March are very cold
  months.
• 2. I forgot to go home after school to call Mom
  and tell her I was fine and to start fixing food
  for dinner.

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• Warm-up 1
• 1. Football basketball and baseball are all
  televised in the fall.
• 2. Ron groped for the alarm shut it off and
  went back to sleep.
• 3. Maureen told the class where Libya is when it
  was founded and how it is governed.
• 4. Macs radio woke her with news of a fire an
  airplane crash and a bus strike.
• 5. Give the money to Sarah and her class her
  brothers group and the Student Council.

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• Warm-up 2 Add the necessary commas. 1. I saw
  three students on the bus Dan Mary and Sam.
• 2. Last week I spent all my money for a pretty
  new blouse a silver purse and a present for my
  mom.
• 3. Mary and her sister Sam and his best friend
  and Marti and her new puppy all came over to my
  house.
• 4. I forgot to do my homework to lock the house
  when I went out and to wash the dishes. I got in
  a lot of trouble!
• 5. I went to the store ran my errands and
  finished my homework.

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• Warm-up 3
• 1. Give the newspapers to Sally Mark or Steven
  for them to recycle.
• 2. I saw that the Humane Society had many pets
  ready for adoption they had some very cute
  kittens a lot of homeless puppies and a snake
  also.
• 3. Sarah came to my house after school helped me
  finish my math homework and watched a movie with
  me.
• 4. In gym class I never liked to run a mile to
  do sit-ups or to lift weights.

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• Rule 2
• Use a comma to separate an introductory word,
  long phrase, or clause from the rest of the
  sentence.
• No, Im not leaving yet.
• Yes Sam, you may read the paper now.
• Laughing wildly, Lauren walked out the door.
• When you pay the toll, the gate goes up.

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• Warm-up 4
• 1. After dialing Tonys number Rita had second
  thoughts about calling him.
• 2. Waiting for her coffee the reporter overheard
  an interesting conversation.
• 3. After he talked with the coach the player
  felt much better.
• 4. Yes I really do believe that he should be the
  winner of the contest.
• 5. Dazed from lack of sleep the student finally
  finished his homework.

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• Rule 3
• Use commas to set off one or more words that
  interrupt the flow of thought in the sentence.
• 1. I dont think, at least I dont want to
  think, that he was the criminal.
• 2. The cost of some foods, however, has gone
  down.
• 3. All of these facts, by the way, support
  your case.
• 4. The judge, in any event, sentenced the man
  to life in prison.

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• Warm-up 5
• 1. You will I suppose be at the STARS assembly.
  
• 2. Our guest speaker by the way is someone you
  already know.
• 3. Carlos I believe deserves our support.
• 4. You will be at the party I suppose.
• 5. Not everyone of course liked her idea for the
  prom decorations.

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• Rule 4
• Use commas to set off all appositives except
  one-word appositives.
• An appositive is one or more words that come
  after and explain or identify another word.
• 1. Our assistant coach, Mr. Wagner, played with
  the Jets.
• 2. My sister Jennifer works here. (Its ONE
  word so no commas are used.
• The Superbowl, the biggest game of the year, is
  on television every year.

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• Warm-up 6
• 1. Mrs. Chalkley the lady who teaches in my room
  Mod 4 is my friend.
• 2. Sam and Louise my friends two new kittens
  are a lot of fun to watch.
• 3. I am buying a new dress one with red ribbon
  and sequins on it for the prom.
• 4. Go down this road and turn left at the first
  house the one that is painted pink.
• 5. I bought a new book one about the Civil War
  to read over summer vacation.

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• Warm-up 7 Use commas for appositives
• 1. My brother the man with the blue striped
  shirt is visiting me this week.
• 2. Give your donations to Mr. Smith the man
  talking with Dr. Davidson over there.
• 3. Mrs. Peterson the teacher in the classroom
  across from the library is one of the junior
  class sponsors.
• 4. Ask Mr. Longnecker the guidance counselor
  that question.
• 5. Dr. Davidson the principal of the school will
  speak at the STARS assembly.

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• Warm-up 8 Where do commas go?
• 1. Sarah Mike and Sam went to the mall to buy
  gifts for their friends birthday.
• 2. I dont understand however strange this may
  sound what I am supposed to do with my homework.
• 3. Mr. Smith the new math teacher has many good
  ideas.
• 4. If you will come over to my house tonight we
  can work on our science project.
• 5. I dont know what to do think or say about
  this!

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• Warm-up 9 Add the necessary commas.
• 1. If I start to fall asleep please wake me up.
• 2. I am a little confused you know just a little
  bit.
• 3. I want to graduate from high school go to
  college and have an important career.
• 4. Mr. Jones the advisement speaker explained
  the program choices clearly.
• 5. As long as you know what you need to do you
  should be able to succeed.

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• Warm-up 10 Add the necessary commas.
• 1. If you will bring me your report card I will
  sign it.
• 2. No one I dont care who he or she is can get
  away with that kind of threat.
• 3. Mrs. Barnhart the guidance counselor planned
  the HSA schedule for next week.
• 4. Everyone wanted to visit the website look at
  all the pictures and see the rock stars.
• 5. Please give the papers to Mr. Smith the new
  teacher in the auditorium.