L.IV.2 Demonstrate Correct Use of Commas 21.6. Use a comma in the following situations: a.To separate the main clauses (sentences) in compound sentences.

L.IV.2 Demonstrate Correct Use of

Commas 21.6

Use a comma in the following situations:

a. To separate the main clauses (sentences) in compound sentences joined by a

conjunction

She was a slow eater, but she always finished her meal first.

b. To separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series

Apples, oranges, grapefruit, and cherries are delicious.

c. To separate coordinate modifiers (in place of the word and)

The prom was a happy, exciting occasion.

d. To set off parenthetical expressions

He will, of course, stay for dinner.

Mary, on the other hand, is very pleasant.

e. To set off nonessential (not essential to the meaning of the sentence) clauses and phrases; to set off introductory adverb clauses, participial phrases, and long prepositional phrases

Adjective clause:The bride, who is a chemist, looked lovely.

Appositive phrase:The parade, the longest of the year, featured

twelve bands.

Adverb clause:

After we had eaten, I realized my wallet was still in the car.

Participial phrase:

Laughing heartily, Milan left the room.

Prepositional phrase:

At the sound of the final buzzer, the ball slid through the hoop.

f. To separate parts of an address or a date with two or more parts or a geographical term

1640 Chartwell Avenue, Edina, Minnesota

September 11, 1982 August 1976

g. To set off parts of a reference

Read Slaughterhouse-Five, pages 15 to 20. Perform a scene from Hamlet, Act II.

h. To set off words or phrases of direct address and tag questions

Sherri, please pass the butter.

How are you, my friend?

We try hard, don't we?

i. After the salutation and close of a friendly letter and after the close of a business

letter

Dear Richard, Sincerely,

Yours truly, Dear Mother,

Guided Practice

Add or eliminate commas where needed. Some sentences are correct.

1. Their trip to Seattle Washington will take three days.

2. In July 2004 we will go to Charlotte North Carolina.

3. Her birthday is December 27.

4. On the morning of the trial the lawyer rose up early.

5. A big old grizzly bear stood in the woods.

6. Under the rock in the garden lay a small snake.

7. Kids please play more quietly.

8. They are in fact the only beekeepers in town.

9. Shania her favorite singer sang at the Super Bowl.

10. She caught a huge red snapper.

11. The novel Ethan Frome was made into a movie.

12. Edward’s friend, Irwin, decided to play hockey.

13. I had planned however to go home first.

14. She did her homework ate her supper and went to bed.

15. Those lizards are colorful sleek and beautiful.

16. The cat the yarn and the needles landed on the floor.

17. The old grey fluffy cat sat in his lap.

18. Walk down the hall through the doors and into the courtyard.

19. Dave spoke loudly clearly and logically.

20. We can go to a play tour a museum or visit a monument.

1. Choose the sentence that is correct.

A. Pedro my cousin is visiting for a week.

B. Nathaniel do you want some tea?

C. The answer if I’m not mistaken is not listed.

D. She needs flour, eggs, milk, and bread.

A. Pedro, my cousin, is visiting for a week.

B. Nathaniel, do you want some tea?

C. The answer, if I’m not mistaken, is not listed.

D. She needs flour, eggs, milk, and bread.

2. Choose the sentence that is correct.

A. Oh I thought I’d lost it in the car.

B. Well, are you going to the party?

C. They sold, oranges, grapefruit, and apples.

D. We’re sure it was an error Natalie.

A. Oh, I thought I’d lost it in the car.

B. Well are you going to the party?

C. They sold, oranges, grapefruit, and apples.

D. We’re sure it was an error, Natalie.

3. Choose the sentence that is incorrect.

A. Riley lives in Anniston Alabama.

B. Cale moved to Lanett in 2004.

C. We drove from Clanton to Auburn.

D. She lives at 105 E. Close Street, Enterprise, Alabama.

A. Riley lives in Anniston, Alabama.

B. Cale moved to Lanett in 2004.

C. We drove from Clanton to Auburn.

D. She lives at 105 E. Close Street, Enterprise, Alabama.

4. Choose the correct answer.

Coming to a fork in the road we looked at a map.

A. road, we looked

B. road we looked,

C. road we, looked

D. correct as is

A. road, we looked

B. road we looked,

C. road we, looked

D. correct as is

5. Choose the sentence that is correct.

A. Niagara Falls, an impressive waterfall, lies on the border between the U.S. and

Canada.

B. That’s a good picture of you Kim and Henry at the beach.

C. Ricci, an old friend from Bangor, Maine called me.

D. Ned are you working the new store?

5. Choose the sentence that is correct.

A. Niagara Falls, an impressive waterfall, lies on the border between the U.S. and Canada.

B. That’s a good picture of you, Kim, and Henry at the beach.

C. Ricci, an old friend from Bangor, Maine, called me.

D. Ned, are you working the new store?

6. Choose the sentence that is correct.

A. Those boots would be perfect for you, Grandmother.

B. Martin is an avid philanthropist, and stamp collector.

C. Dorothy go to your room and do not come out.

D. If you will write the invitations Dan I will mail them.

6. Choose the sentence that is correct.

A. Those boots would be perfect for you, Grandmother.

B. Martin is an avid philanthropist and stamp collector.

C. Dorothy, go to your room and do not come out.

D. If you will write the invitations Dan, I will mail them.

7. Choose the sentence that is correct.

A. Check the atlas, Stan, to find the location of Kokomo.

B. The narwhal, a type of whale has a long tusk.

C. Jamie do you think this chair is a good replacement.

D. Our neighbors Larry and Darma just moved to Atlanta.

7. Choose the sentence that is correct.

A. Check the atlas, Stan, to find the location of Kokomo.

B. The narwhal, a type of whale, has a long tusk.

C. Jamie, do you think this chair is a good replacement?

D. Our neighbors, Larry and Darma, just moved to Atlanta.

8. Choose the sentence that is written correctly.

A. Where in this messy drawer did I leave you my trusty flashlight?

B. Ms. Simmons your luggage has been found.

C. Our concentration was broken by a sudden noise, a knock at the door.

D. The Four Seasons a concerto by Vivaldi, has lively music.

8. Choose the sentence that is written correctly.

A. Where in this messy drawer did I leave you, my trusty flashlight?

B. Ms. Simmons, your luggage has been found.

C. Our concentration was broken by a sudden noise, a knock at the door.

D. The Four Seasons, a concerto by Vivaldi, has lively music.

9. Choose the sentence that is written correctly.

A. Durum a type of hard wheat is often used to make pasta.

B. Will you please return these books to the library Marcia?

C. Foot Company, a show warehouse specializes in hard-to-find sizes.

D. Emily, my daughter, works for a law firm.

9. Choose the sentence that is written correctly.

A. Durum, a type of hard, wheat is often used to make pasta.

B. Will you please return these books to the library, Marcia?

C. Foot Company, a show warehouse, specializes in hard-to-find sizes.

D. Emily, my daughter, works for a law firm.

10. Choose the correct answer for the underlined part.

Frank will rotate the tires check the battery and change the oil.

A. tires, check the battery, and

B. tires check the battery, and

C. tires, check the battery, and,

D. correct as is

10. Choose the correct answer for the underlined part.

Frank will rotate the tires check the battery and change the oil.

A. tires, check the battery, and

B. tires check the battery, and

C. tires, check the battery, and,

D. correct as is

Assignments