We are having peas and carrots roast beef and cake for dinner. The following list contains some of the most critical punctuation rules. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction and, but, yet, so, or nor, for when it joins. After each rule and example, add commas to the sentences where needed. Subjects in the program of study include english, math, and psychology. For the most part, commas are used for one of three reasons. While a comma often denotes a pause, it may also clarify the meaning of words, as in coordinating adjectives. Although we are often taught that commas are used to help us add breathing spaces to sentences they are, in fact, more accurately used to. Use commas to separate items in a series of three or more. Grammar, spelling and punctuation university of kent. Also, the comma rules for compound and complex sentences were covered more indepth in two sentence types units previously in the tenminute grammar progression.
A serial comma after mike tyson would avoid the ambiguity and possibly a couple of libel suits, or even black eyes. The comma probably has more rulesthan all the other punctuation marks added together,and the comma is probably the most usedand the most abused punctuation mark. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. There are lots of rules about comma usage, and often the factors that determine whether you should use one are quite subtle. The english class, which is required for graduation, is only offered in the fall. Its better to err by omission than to include superfluous, even confusing apostrophes, commas and other marks. Most newspapers and magazines drop the oxford comma in a simple series, apparently feeling its unnecessary. Try to distinguish between the punctuation rules of different languages in order to avoid using punctuation incorrectly. I laminated and cut out the rules posters included in this pack and they now hang in my writing center for reference. Apostrophe colon comma dash ellipsis exclamation point hyphen. The sentence in 31 implies that people generally live in glass houses. Someone or something must be present in a sentence, and that someone or something doing the action or being talked about is the subject. Comma rules rules for commas in english with examples. Comma worksheets and activities ereading worksheets.
Comma rules exercises wilmu student writing resources. A comma should be used to set off introductory words or phrases, including transitions, that come before the beginning of the main independent clause. My estate goes to my husband, son, daughterinlaw, and nephew. Comma usage using commas can be tricky, especially if you have. When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in the above example, it is known as the oxford comma.
Sometimes that word is the name of the person you are talking to. Sammy loves to play basketball, and he loves to play baseball. Go up two flights of stairs, turn right, walk to the end of the hall, and you will be there. The comma is always used to separate the month, day, and. No need to worry about your english grammar any more.
Understanding these comma basics is the key to correct comma usage. Review of grammar rules frequently tested on the act the english section of the act is extremely repetitive. Feel free to download, reuse, or share the following english grammar lessons with your friends, colleagues, or students. Example 2 we will graduate june 14, 2016 lesson summary. Fanboys use a comma and a coordinating conjunction for, and, nor, but, or, yet, soa. Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. However, omission of the oxford comma can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. Collection of some persons or things and represented as a singular noun. The elements of an address or place name are separated by commas. The coordinator comma links a series of three or more equal elements nouns, adjectives, verbs, phrases. I introduced the rules to my students and we gave examples of each one. The purpose of isolating commas is to cordon off information that is not essential to the sentence, whether a clause, a phrase or a single word. After doing examples from the book, make sure to look up the correct answers listed at the end of each test.
It is true that language is dynamic, so conventional rules about grammar and punctuation change all the time. In dates, the year is set off from the rest of the sentence with a pair of commas. Four basic comma rules subjects in the program of study. The previous unit covered commas with dates, locations, lists, equal adjectives, and direct addresses. Of course there are rules for when to use a comma and when it is not necessary to use one. Online writing lab comma rules explained when it comes to punctuation, knowing when, and when not to, use commas in writing is the biggest problem most writers face. There are some general rules which you can apply when using the comma.
In the heat of a summer afternoon our air conditioner stopped. Adjectives adverbs articles conjunctions interjections nouns prepositions pronouns verbs. On december 12, 1890, orders were sent out for the arrest of sitting bull. Verbs are the words that express the action the subject is doing or the state of being the subject is in. Comma rules foldable teaching writing, writing classes. Commas commas are used to separate parts of a sentence. While using english punctuation appropriately may help your writing to flow more smoothly, dont overdo it. Jenny didnt win the contest, but she won second place. My three favorite foods are pasta pizza and ice cream. Comma worksheets and activities learning to use commas and other punctuation with confidence requires a basic understanding of sentence structure. Without commas, a reader would often have to go back and reread a sentence to understand what the writer meant. Many of the rules about the use of the comma are quite strict and immovable, but others are a little greyer, a little more yielding. This requires some practice, however, as first you must know which commas are necessary and which are optional. Correct grammatical mistakes and other writing errors.
Use commas before every sequence of three numbers when writing a number larger than 999. However, you will find that in english there are many other ways to use the comma to add to the meaning of a sentence or to emphasise an item, point, or meaning. Use commas after introductory a clauses, b phrases, or c words that come before the main clause. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction and, but, yet, so, or nor, for when it joins two complete ideas independent clauses. The comma is not used if the independent clauses are short. The test makers ask you about the same grammar mistakes on every test.
Place in an interactive notebook and write examples under the flaps. Rules for using the comma 3 use a comma to separate two or more adjectives that equally modify the same noun. I need to call sally tom brad and kelly about the party. Subjects in the program of study include english, math, and. There are specific times for using a comma when writing the date in english. Find answers to all your writing conundrums with our simple guide to english grammar rules. The receptionist will admit you, the radiologist will xray you, the nurse will prepare you for surgery, and the surgeon will operate. Keep in mind that items can be nouns, verbs, or adjectives. Having been told of the test john wondered when he would study. He lectures and runs seminars on electrical machines. Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet to join two independent clauses that form a compound sentence. Correct comma usage can be hard to learn, but once it is learned, writing becomes both easier and better. Click on the title to read the details about a worksheet or to download the pdf. Add commas to the following sentences where needed.
Mark wrong answers replace wrong by correct answers show all correct answers. Usage basic punctuation rules utah valley state college writing center correct punctuation is essential for clear and effective writing. Co teaching teaching grammar teaching language arts teaching writing student teaching teaching english teaching ideas writing lab writing classes. Commas, the peskiest of punctuation marks, have six main uses. They tell readers to pause between words or groups of. He says remember bob use commas before and after you address someone directly. Use a comma to indicate where a pause is necessary in order to avoid confusion.
Commas in english, english comma rules writing english. A word or phrase that interrupts an independent clause should have commas before it and after it. Here are rules with examples you can start using right now. Comma exercises using commas to separate a long introductory phrase from the main clause. An independent clause is a group of words with a subject and verb that expresses a complete thought. If you already have adobe acrobat reader, simply click on the red icon next to the topic for the grammar lesson you wish to view. Advanced comma rules the comma is an important organizational tool for the writer that ultimately helps the reader. The comma worksheets below are free for you to print and use at home or in the classroom. Hint say the sentence with the word and in place of the comma. Most newspapers and magazines drop the oxford comma in a simple series, apparently. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items.
If you know how sentences are structured, then it is easy to understand how punctuation helps writers negotiate their expressions. A compound sentence is a sentence that has 2 independent clauses. Morton my english teacher says we have to learn how to use commas. Use a comma after a dependent clause that begins a sentence.
Of all the punctuation marks in english, this one is perhaps the most abused and misused. Most often, you will hyphenate between two or more adjectives when they come before a noun and act as a single idea. Rules for using the comma use a comma before the conjunction in a compound sentence. The basics commas, the peskiest of punctuation marks, have six main uses. Commas after introductory elements first things first sentences often begin with a little something extra a word that doesnt quite flow with the rest of the sentence. Download english grammar lessons, for free, in the pdf format. Academics are often accused of being pedantic about grammar, spelling and punctuation, but all these seemingly endless rules are actually about effective communication expressing yourself clearly, accurately and precisely. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to.
It often comes down to personal taste or corporate and institutional styles. Unlike in english, where the oxford comma is optionally used before the final item in a series, a comma is not used before the final item of a series when it follows the conjunction e, o, ni, u or y. Below, youll find guidance for the trickiest comma questions. Use commas for items in a series of three or more items.
Subjects and verbs must agree if youre going to get your point across as clearly as possible. Wading into the cool lake we found relief from the heat. The following conjunctions socalled coordinating conjunctions are used in such case. Use commas to separate three or more items in a list. The comma is also the most complicated of englishs punctuation marks when it comes to placement. Comma rules join us for a rundown of the most important comma rules, and youll be a master in no time. Exercises on comma rules in english 11 writing english. Two exceptions are writing years and house numbers. To view the following lessons you need to have adobe acrobat reader installed on your computer.
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