USING COMMAS CORRECTLY

NINTH GRADE ENGLISH

Commas

1. Use commas to separate items in a series Examples:

Items of folk art are often discovered in closets, attics, and barns

Our exhibit has encouraged people who tell stories, who sew quilts, an who carve toys to share their talents.

If the items are all joined by and, or, or nor do not use commas to separate them.

Commas

Use commas to separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun

****If you can put AND between the adjectives, use a comma.

Example: See the loud, bright colors in her design!

Appositives

Noun or pronoun placed beside another noun or pronoun to identify or describe it

Examples: The person in charge of the workshop is the

librarian, Mrs. Barber. My best friend, Donna, went with me to the

movies.

Appositive Phrases

Consists of an appositive and any modifiers it has Examples:

Dad is making baklava, our family’s favorite dessert.

Mrs. Smith, the teacher in room 306, is my favorite teacher.

Appositives and Appositive Phrases Some are essential Some are nonessential

Commas

Nonessential appositives and appositive phrases should be set off by commas Example:

Mr. Lee, the new PTO president, asked parents to become active.

Commas

Nouns of direct address should be set off by commas Example:

Sam, please shut the door!

Commas

Parenthetical expressions should be set off by commas Example:

Paula, on the other hand, will not be going on the trip.

Parenthetical Expressions

Parenthetical

Expressions

After all Generally speaking

Nevertheless

At any rate However Of course

Consequently I believe On the contrary

For example In the first place

On the other hand

For instance Moreover therefore

Commas

Use commas to separate items in dates and addresses Examples:

Sam was born on December 25, 2008, in Mobile.

Please send your payment to 1 Main Street, Newton, Georgia 30201, no later than May 1st.

Commas

Use a comma after the salutation of a friendly letter and the closing of any letter Examples: Dear Mom, Sincerely yours,

Commas

Set abbreviations off when they follow a person’s name Examples:

Is Alex M. Moore, M.D, here?