Use commas to offset expressions that interrupt the sentence. One use of the comma is to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a list or series. With few exceptions, a comma should not separate a subject from its verb. Writers are often tempted to insert a comma between a subject and verb this way because speakers sometimes pause at that point in a sentence. Be sure never to add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself or to use commas with noncoordinate adjectives. Learning and practicing these rules will help any writer become better at using commas. When making a list, commas are the most common way to separate one list item from the next. Hardcover books are more expensive, than paperback books.
Comma academic writing in english, lund university awelu. Commas with numbers when a number is over 999, use commas to separate the numbers. Sometimes, prepositional phrases and other phrases interrupt the main sentence, serving as nonrestrictive modifiers. The farlex grammar book english punctuation commas commas what is a comma. Commas quiz 1 the blue book of grammar and punctuation. A comma is never used as an end mark, and it is read with a shorter pause than an end mark. Use commas with caution as you can see, there are many reasons for using commas, and we havent listed them all. Commas around for zelda mean that zelda loves raising flowers. The correct way to use commas with names and titles grammar. Commas should be used to separate two or more coordinate adjectives when they describe the same noun. Use commas after introductory a clauses, b phrases, or c words that come before the main clause. Place a comma after believe before the closing quote. This lesson helps esl students become better writers by showing three common uses for commas and some exceptions. Today, im sharing my grammar lesson plan for commas with you.
The sentence is correct with or without the comma before and. Students learn to use commas to separate words in a series, then practice this skill by correctly writing five weatherthemed sentences. Mix play all mix learn english with alex engvid youtube writing transitions therefore, thus, consequently duration. This resource also includes sections with more detailed rules and examples. Here are ten of most frequently ignored or unknown grammar rules and writing practices. As you can see, there are many reasons for using commas, and we havent listed them all.
Commas are the same in appearance as apostrophes, but they are placed on the bottom line of the text in the same location as periods. Adding commas to your writing can change the outcome of a sentence very quickly. Buy our book smashing grammar 2019 written by the founder of grammar monster, smashing grammar includes a glossary of grammar essentials from apostrophes to zeugma and a chapter on easily confused words from affecteffect to whetherif. Dont switch back and forth in the same document between using the oxford comma and not using it. In international or military format, no commas are used. We use commas while combining multiple phrases in one sentence or writing about different items in a list. There are wonderfully funny drawings on each page to emphasize exactly what each sentence means so. If attribution comes after the quote, put the comma inside the quotation marks.
This last commathe one between the word and and the preceding wordis often called the serial comma or the oxford comma. Many teachers divide sections of how to teach commas. Although many publishing houses have their own inhouse style or grammar guides stipulating how to treat serial commas or ellipses or em dashes, the following primer will guarantee you a manuscript thats clean enough to impress any nitpicking editor even if she later changes it to reflect the publishing houses style choices. There are a few exceptions that require you to use the oxford comma in a list, but they are pretty rare. If we learn the grammar rules and adopt best practices in the craft, our writing can shine. In the same way, using your commas incorrectly could have detrimental effects.
The declaration of independence was signed on 4 july 1776. When using dialogue, the quotation and the main clause should be separated by a comma. See more ideas about commas in a series, 4th grade writing and grammar and punctuation. Quotation marks, sometimes referred to as quotes or inverted commas, are punctuation marks curly or straight most often used in pairs to identify the. A comma separates elements in a sentence, such as items in a list or series, but it also shows that those elements are connected to each other within the same sentence. This can also be applied to short story writing, when characters address each other. For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct comma placement. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause. Yet the biggest problem that most students have with commas is their overuse. I took angie the one with the freckles, to the movie last night. Often, the only commas we can ditch are the oxford comma and prepositions. The book title, book, is not parenthetical content in your sentence. If these interruptions are separate from the main subject and verb, separate the interruption phrase with commas to signal to the reader that this information is. Teach english writing commas, three essential rules main idea.
Take this comma usage quiz hard innisdale ss and test your understanding. Besides the period, the comma may be the most used punctuation mark in english. This rule is controversial, because some grammar books and professors will. Presubmission basic grammar and style primer for children. Using a comma between all the items in a series, including the last two, avoids this problem. 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. The last item is usually joined by a conjunction like and, or, or nor. I took angie, the one with the freckles, to the movie, last night.
Extended rules for using commas purdue writing lab. As with most rules associated with writing and grammar, there are times when, contextually, the above rules can be. William steigs delightful alphabet rebuses, or introductory grammar books by brian. These words usually state a place, a time, a condition, or a fact before the main part of the sentence.
Commas can also be used to separate three or more items in a list. Here, we offer a brief, basic guide to using commas correctly. Punctuation commas these printable worksheets can be used to teach your students about correct placement of commas in their writing. I took angie, the one with the freckles to the movie last night.
Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. I dedicate this award to my parents, jane austen, and albert einstein. This chart from grammar girl presents the ultimate writing guide for students gives examples of the 15 most common ways to use a comma. But in writing, the comma only makes the sentence seem stilted. Most newspapers and magazines drop the oxford comma in a simple series, apparently. Instead of using this as a guideline, there are several specific rules that dictate when commas should be used. Commas in fiction are used as sparingly as possible, but you need to ensure you arent creating a grammatical nightmare or a neverending sentence at the same time. The book also omits the serial comma, as in eats, shoots and leaves, which is acceptable in the united.
Commas and periods are the most frequently used punctuation marks. My writers grammar guide has 20 pages about commas, half of which includes exceptions to the rules. Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating. Commas help your reader figure out which words go together in a sentence and which parts of your sentences are most important. Never connect two complete sentences with a comma alone also see using. Using commas worksheets punctuation worksheets, grammar. Topics include comma placement in dates, using commas in lists, and using a comma to separate quotations in dialogue. Commas have very strict rules, so there is a very clear right and wrong in using them. Commas can be used after the setting the scene for a sentence, after transitional phrases, after interjections, before conjunctions, for parentheses, after a long subject, in lists, and with the vocative case. Richard nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and english at georgia southern university and the author of several universitylevel grammar and composition textbooks.
We check cmos, harts and our favorite grammar books, and. The comma, is one of the most commonly used punctuation marks in english. A comma marks a slight break between different parts of a sentence. Comma connie loves sticking her nose into everything. Some essays look as though the student loaded a shotgun with commas and blasted away. My estate goes to my husband, son, daughterinlaw, and. Learning english rules governing the use of commas is tough. Commas are used to separate a sentences elements, to connect independent clauses, to avoid confusion, and much more. Commas in a series english grammar 101 online grammar. Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun.
Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences. The final two items in the list are usually separated by and or or, which should be preceeded by a comma. In this article let us understand how to correctly use commas with names. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. Commas provide clarity, particularly in sentences that contain several different elements. A, i took angie, the one with the freckles to the movie last night. Using commas incorrectly may confuse the reader, signal ignorance of writing rules, or indicate carelessness. As students follow this wacky character, they learn where commas belong in sentences, and why, and they practice what theyve learned. The clause who live in glass houses is nonrestrictive. While a comma often denotes a pause, it may also clarify the meaning of words, as in coordinating adjectives.
Just place a comma between each item and an appropriate punctuation mark at the end. Comma checker a guide on using commas gramlee blog. English lessons with adam learn english engvid 1,322,374 views. Generally speaking, commas are used to connect two or. My estate goes to my husband, son, daughterinlaw, and nephew. Learn about comma use with introductory elementsconjunctive adverbs. The comma worksheets below are free for you to print and use at home or in the classroom. Grammarlys writing assistant can help you make sure your punctuation, spelling, and grammar are.
Teaching commas can be overwhelming if you have no where to start. Here are 15 common grammar mistakes that can kill your credibility as a writer. There are more usages of a comma, for example, how adding or removing comma before and after a name changes the meaning of the sentence. Amongst editors this final comma in a list is known as the oxford comma. I missed a few basic grammar rules along the way and have never been really clear about when to use commas. Words that set the scene at the start of a sentence are usually followed by a comma. Examples of inverted commas in a sentence, how to use it. I took angie, the one with the freckles, to the movie last night. These are the comma rules most students encounter, and as always, i tell students that grammar lessons are not absolute. Rule 1 to avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more. The subject and verb of a sentence must agree with one another in number whether they are singular or plural. Like the rule for joining sentences, the comma goes right before the conjunction. Use a comma to separate two premodifiers in a noun phrase, when.
Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences two weeks ago we revisited the case of the lawsuit brought by a group of maine dairy truck drivers that centered on the proper use of commas. Remember that if you can put and between the adjectives that describe the noun and they still make sense, then there should be a comma in between them. We know that commas are used to separate a series of words to make it sound more like a person talking. Using commas correctly is vital for good grammar and is often overlooked. A great kids book that can make learning grammar rules fun wow i never thought i would put those words together in a sentence. If you use a comma correctly, you can make the meaning of sentences clear by grouping and separating words, phrases, and clauses. Interestingly, the dispute was resolved through the use of semicolons and cash. This grammar lesson offers an explanation on the correct use of commas and gives examples of commas used in sentences. Litterae, independently of any manuscript rendering, are enclosed in single. Here are some clues to help you decide whether the sentence element is essential. In the current edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation and on the website, we have stated a preference for use of the serial, or oxford, comma. Practice exaggerating pauses when reading these sentences aloud so students recognize the need for a comma when using a proper noun in a sentence. Ten grammar rules every writer should know writing forward. If attribution comes before the quote, place the comma outside the quotations marks.
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