Comma Game

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Commas
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Think of your readers!
Problems with run-on sentences and incomplete
sentences are problems with commas!
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BUILDING BLOCKS

• WORD
• PHRASE
• CLAUSE
• SENTENCE

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WORD
dog speaker
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PHRASESMALL WORD GROUP
dog house without a dog bone dogged
determination
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CLAUSEA sentence plus a word that makes it
depend on something else

• after Juan builds a dog house
• though Sally suffers without her dog bone
• because dogged determination helps
• Look for dependent clause buzz words

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SENTENCESUBJECT VERB (can also have details)?
The new puppy will sleep outside. Juan will
build it a dog house. Sally suffers without her
dog bone. The cat sleeps contentedly. Never
give up. Dogged determination helps.
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More sophisticated sentences haveSUBJECT VERB
additional sentences or clauses
After Juan builds a dog house, the new puppy will
sleep outside. While Sally suffers without her
dog bone, the cat sleeps contentedly. Never give
up because dogged determination helps.
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COMBINE BUILDING BLOCKS
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Sentence comma conjunction sentence
Mary sleeps soundly, but Bob tosses and
turns. Cats hunt at night, for they are
nocturnal. Summer goes too fast, yet winter
passes too slowly. Reading makes for easy travel,
and travel improves with reading.
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introductory element comma complete sentence
Suddenly, the room burst into flames. Without
fail, mom always forgets her car keys. Despite
bad reviews, the movie became a
blockbuster. Although college is demanding,
getting a diploma is worth the effort.
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Clause comma sentence additional phrase
Whenever it rains hard, the backyard floods over
a foot deep. Because my brother lives out of
state, I dont get to see him except at Christmas
time. When I was born, my mom and dad were
surprised I had red hair. Though recycling is
easy, some people ignore the environment without
feeling guilty.
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Phrase comma sentence clause
Bugging me severely, my sister kept calling my
cell phone though I refused to answer. Hunkered
down for the night, Rachel watched old movies
that shes already seen. In the basement, the
cellar is stacked with stolen goods, which the
police must identify.
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phrase comma sentence conjunction
sentence clause
On Monday, my car is getting an oil change, and I
am getting my hair cut while my children attend
school. Every spring, daffodils and tulips bloom,
and the grass turns bright green before Memorial
Day weekend arrives.
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intro element comma sentence comma
conjunction sentence phrase phrase
Luckily, the gate was closed, and the latch was
locked to prevent any canine escapes. Over and
over, I explained to the clerk my problem, but
she didnt listen to my complaints very
well. After studying for her calculus test,
Shawna took a nap, and she slept like a baby for
over an hour.
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Whew!Some general rules to help you with commas
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Interrupter commasset off elements that can be
removed.
Significant others, the ones you really want to
keep, require tender loving care. Good students,
even a few bad students, listened attentively to
the teacher.
The dog who usually sleeps all day woke up for
the mail delivery person. Joseph rang the
doorbell incessantly which was clearly rude yet
he didnt pause once in three full minutes.
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no commasWHEN AN INTERRUPTER ELEMENT IS NEEDED
FOR THE SENTENCE TO MAKE SENSE
Significant others who communicate well stay
together longer. Students who work hard usually
succeed.
The mail that came yesterday was all wet. Joseph
with the red hair sits next to me.
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Commas help coordinate adjectives.
Lyle wears loud, colorful and often striped
clothing. Good students fill their comp notebooks
with writing that is reflective, honest and
worthwhile reading.
Whether tall short or shaggy all dogs love fleshy
bones. My sisters boyfriend is tall dark and
handsome.
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Commas are used to separate three or more items
in a series.
The woman grabbed her purse, cell phone, car keys
and a bag of roasted soy beans. Under the river,
through the woods, behind the airport and beyond
the mall to grandmothers house we go.
Tailgating happily before the big game, Gerald
Natalie Kate and Felicia relaxed in the stadium
parking lot. The kindergartener played quietly
with a yellow crayon two green markers a red fire
engine and blue blocks.
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Use commas to set off a signal phrase and
quotation. (unless there is a stronger
punctuation mark needed)?
The instructor repeated, Pick a point and stick
to it! Why isnt homework illegal? the student
complained.
Think of your audience! the teacher
reminded. The teacher reminded us make sure you
finish your rough draft by Monday! Reginald
replied No problem and went back to his work.
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Do not use commas alone to join two sentences.
Wrong After the sixth inning, I went home, my
family stayed. Right After the sixth inning, I
went home my family stayed. After the sixth
inning, I went home, but my family stayed.
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Save the Comma game
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(No Transcript)