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Aim: What are the rules of using
commas?
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1. Before Coordinating Conjunctions
for Compound Sentences Use a comma before a coordinating
conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or,yet,so)
Used to connect two independent clauses ina compound sentence
Ex: Joe has seven chickens, but Jack hasthree.
Ex: I asked you to repeat that,yet youdidnt.
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2. Set off an Introductory Phrase or
Clause
Introductory clauses are dependent clauses that are
in the beginning of the sentence
Because he kept barking, we threw the ball forSmokey. (introductory dependent clause, main
clause)
Clue: Introductory clauses start with adverbs (or
dependent clause markers) like after, although, as,because, before, if,since, though, until, when, etc.
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Important Exception
Dont put a comma when the dependent
clause comes after the independent clause
Ex: She was late for class because she fell.
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3. Transition/Introductory Words and
Phrases
Use a comma to set off transition words and
introductory phrases from the rest of the
sentence Ex: Unfortunately, there is no free lunch
Ex: I dont want to take the test, however, I
need to.
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4. Set off an Appositive (Non-
Essential Phrases) An appositive is a noun or pronoun set besideanother noun or pronoun to explain or identify it.
Only put commas before and after appositives
when the sentence would still make sense withoutthe appositive (non-essential) Parentheses: if the phrase/clause couldbe put in
parentheses, its an appositive
Ex: Bill, my brother, got a job. Ex: I want to go to Paris, my favorite city in theworld
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5. Separate Adjectives
Use a comma to separate two or more
adjectives that describe the same noun
Ex: I will go into the small, cramped room. Not: The small pretty girl went to school.
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6. Quoted Words and Dialogue
Use a comma to set off quoted words and
dialogue
Before the quote Ex: I said, go to the mall.
After the quote
Ex: Go to the mall, I said.
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7. Direct Address
Direct address means you are addressing
someone.
Use a comma to set off the noun you aredirectly talking to.
Ex: Mom, go get me a soda.
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8. Phrases that Express Difference
Use a comma to set off phrases that express
difference or a distinct pause or shift
Ex: You need to pay attention now, notlater.
Ex: The game is today, not tomorrow.
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9. Mild Interjections
Use a comma to set off mild interjections!
Ex: Oh, it will freeze.
Ex: My gosh, thats smart.
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10. Separate Items in a Series or List
Use commas to separate items of three or
more things
The last comma is sometimes left out (serialcomma)
Ex: Milk, bread, and cheese
Serial
comma
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11. Dates and Years
Used to separating the day from the year
when also writing the month.
Ex: March 19, 2005 Ex: June 17, 1905
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12. Large Numbers
Used to present large numbers in morereadable forms
Every 3 Places Ex: 1,500,275 = One million, five hundred
thousand, two hundred seventy-five
**Fun fact In Europe and other countries,they use commas as decimal points andspaces for commas**
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13. City and States
Used to separate the city from the state
Ex: Havertown, PA
Ex: Orlando, Florida
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14. Names and Titles
Ex: Dr. Brown, PhD.
Ex: Mrs. Smith, R.N, B.S.
Also when using the last name first
Ex: Bond, James
Used often in books (and MLA)