Commas Rule!!

English 8 Mr. Carlson Hopkins North Junior High

Comma Rule #1: Items in a Series

A series contains at least three items, which can be words or groups of words.

Examples:
3 I bought pizza, pop, and candy. (nouns) 3 The dog was big, mean, and furry. (adjectives) 3 She hopped, jumped, and skipped. (verbs) 3 Georgia slipped on the ice, screamed out loud, and broke her toe. (verb phrases)

Labeling Practice
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Llamas, rutabagas, Llamas rutabagas and people I know tend to appear in the sentences I write.

Comma Rule #2: Introductory Elements

Introductory elements are words or groups of words that come at the beginning of the sentence. They do not contain the main subject and verb of the sentence (main thought).

Examples:
3 Actually, I really like flamingos. (word) 3 Screaming wildly, the woman crashed through the window. (verb phrase) 3 Hey, thats not your papaya. (mild interjection) 3 Yes, I like those socks very much. (yes/no) 3 To make the information clearer, I talked slowly. (infinitive)

Labeling Practice
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To be perfectly frank you are a silly To be perfectly frank, you are a silly person.
The Ministry of Silly Walks

Comma Rule #3: Interrupters

Interrupters are words or groups of words that interrupt the main thought of the sentence (main subject and verb).

Examples:
3 You can, for example, buy rings at a flea market. (parenthetical expression) 3 You can eat dessert now, I suppose. (another parenthetical expression. 3 The film was faithful to the book, wasnt it? (interrogative tag) 3 Their new llama, Tina, is very gentle. (nonessential or nonrestrictive appositive) 3 My friend Tracy lost her marbles. (essential or restricted appositive)

Labeling Practice
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The huge monster, to our horror, ran through monster horror the crowded halls and sang Dixie.

The Legendary Black Beast of the Castle Aaaaarrrgh

Comma Rule #4: Direct Address

Direct address means someone is directly addressing (or speaking to) someone or something.

Examples:
3 I told you, Mr. Bob, to stop eating mud pies. 3 Sean, bring the llama here. 3 Do you like socks, Mika?

Labeling Practice
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Snookums, bring Grandma some TUMS. Snookums

Comma Rule #5: Large Numbers

Large numbers (four or more digits) need commas.
EX 1,876,452

Comma Rule #6: Dates

Separate parts of a date UNLESS only the month and year are written.
EX
I will see you on Friday, December 31, 2008. October 5, 1978, is the day I was born. The next Olympics are in July 2008. (no commas)

When writing addresses, use commas between the parts EXCEPT between the state and the ZIP code.
EX

Comma Rule #7: Addresses

Our address is 923 Cuckoo Lane, #313, Virginia, MN 55792. International Falls, Minnesota, is often the cold spot of the nation. Our family enjoyed our trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, last June.

Comma Rule #8: Titles

Separate titles from names with a comma. Titles can be degrees, occupations, Jr./Sr., etc.

Examples:
3 Louise Snickerdoodle, M.D., was a wacky doctor. 3 Ken Griffey, Jr., is a great athlete. 3 I really admire Grover Monster, Ph.D.

Ken Griffey, Jr. Grover

Labeling Practice
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Trapper John M.D. was a character on the Trapper John, M.D., was a character on the show of the same name that was spun off from M.A.S.H.
Old John vs. New Old John

Comma Rule #9: Compound Sentences

A compound sentence is made up of two complete sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction. Place a comma before the conjunction.

Examples:
Mr. Clapero saw that horrible movie,but he really liked it. (full sentence) (conj.) (full sentence)

F A N B O Y S
for and nor but or yet so

Labeling Practice
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The longest recorded flight of a chicken is thirteen seconds and thats amazing. seconds,

Labeling Practice
The Twins lost so they have to wait to play until next year. I love football but I dont like to kick things. I had to get a haircut and I needed to find a good barber. I love pies yet I hate apple pies.

Comma Rule #10: Dialogue

The exact words of a speaker are set off from the rest of the sentence with commas and quotation marks.

Examples:
3 Howdy, said Mr. C 3 Howdy, said the class, how are you? (one sentence) 3 Howdy, said the class. How are you? (two sentences) Howdy !

Labeling Practice
This handy-dandy little tool can be yours for $54 a month he chirped. month,
10

Comma Rule #11: Equal Adjectives

Separate equal adjectives with a comma. (Equal adjectives have the same intensity or importance. One is not bigger in meaning than the other.)

Examples:
3 Tall, majestic pine trees commanded our attention as we walked in the silent, overgrown woods. 3 The big, hairy bear ate a popsicle. (big and hairy are roughly equal in importance/intensity) 3 The cold December morning was depressing. (cold and December are not equal in importance/intensity because December carries more weight) 3 Sweet, tasty milk chocolate is my favorite. (Notice that milk chocolate

Labeling Practice
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His wild crazy hair waved in the wild, breeze.

Who likes Flock of Seagulls?

Comma Rule #12: Salutation/Closing

Place a comma after the salutation and the closing of a letter.
Dear Mom, EX Sincerely yours,