Commas!!!

1
Commas!!!

• Items in a Series
• Compound Sentences
• Introductory Phrases
• Sentence Interrupters
• Extra Information (nonessential elements)

2
Items in a Series

• Separate three or more items.
• We fished, hiked, and biked.
• I want mushrooms, peppers, and sausage on the
  pizza.

3
Two or More Adjectives

• If you can insert and between the adjectives,
  add a comma.
• The tall, majestic mountain appeared in the
  distance.
• (The tall AND majestic mountain)
• If you cannot insert and between the
  adjectives, do NOT add a comma.
• The bright red car is in the driveway.
• (The bright AND red car? NO! No commas)

4
Compound Sentences

• If a sentence is comprised of two complete
  thoughts, join those complete thoughts with a
  comma AND a conjunction.
• The children wanted to stay at the beach, but the
  sun had set.

5
Compound Sentences

• If a sentence contains a conjunction but does NOT
  contain two complete thoughts, do NOT use a
  comma.
• The party started at 7 PM and ended by midnight.
• (ended by midnight is NOT a complete thought).

6
Introductory Phrases

• Offset an introductory phrase (a phrase that sets
  up the main idea of a sentence the sentence
  would make sense without it) with a comma.
• Alerted, the firefighters raced to the cineplex.

7
Introductory Phrases

• To relax, Clarke does needlepoint.
• When you give a speech, look at your audience.
• By four oclock on Thursday, Ill be at the beach.

8
Sentence Interrupters Nonessential Elements

• Directly addressing a person
• Audrey, please read this sentence.
• Extra information that is not essential to the
  meaning of the sentence.
• Glory, a Civil War movie, features an African
  American regiment.

9
Sentence Interrupters Nonessential Elements
Essential (NO commas) Non-essential (commas)
The singer who was voted off American Idol was Pia Toscano. Jennifer Lopez, who is a movie star and singer, is a judge on American Idol.
10
Expressions to Offset with Commas

• As a result
• By the way
• For example
• For instance
• Furthermore
• However
• Unfortunately

• Incidentally
• In fact
• Moreover
• Nevertheless
• Of course
• On the other hand

11
Expressions to Offset with Commas

• However, there are some upsides to a four-day
  school week.
• There are some upsides, however, to a four-day
  school week.
• There are some upsides to a four-day school week,
  however.

12
Correcting Run-Ons

• 1. Add a period and a capital letter.
• 2. Add a comma and a conjunction.
• 3. Insert a semicolon.