1. “Comma Sense” AGENDA Why are commas important?
Items in a series and Practice
Interrupters and Practice
Conventional uses of commas

2. Why are commas important?
Commas can help make the meaning of sentences clearer. In general, commas help separate or set apart elements in a sentence.
Too many commas can clutter the sentence and may confuse readers.
Problem: Unnecessary commas
My friend, Jessica, said she would feed my cat, and my dog while I’m away, but now, she tells me, she will be too busy.

3. Why are commas important?
Missing commas may also confuse readers.
Problem: Missing commas
The friends I have invited are Ruth Ann Jerry Lee Derrick Martha and Julie.
Without commas, it is unclear how many friends are invited.
Is this Jerry or Jerry Lee?
Is this Ruth or Ruth Ann?

4. Why are commas important?
Commas make the meaning of this sentence clear by separating the names in the list.
The friends I have invited are Ruth Ann, Jerry Lee, Derrick, Martha, and Julie.
Ruth Ann
Jerry Lee
Derrick
Martha
Julie , , , ,

5. Items in a series Use commas to separate items in a series.
Words in a series
All my cousins, aunts, and uncles came to our family reunion.
Phrases in a series
The children played in the yard, at the playground, and by the pond.

6. Items in a series Use commas to separate items in a series.
Clauses in a series
Those who had flown to the reunion, who had driven many miles, or who had even taken time off from their jobs were glad that they had made the effort to be there.

7. Items in a series Use commas to separate items in a series.
Short independent clauses
The engine roared, the wheels spun, and a cloud of dust swirled behind the sports car.
Two or more adjectives preceding a noun
Are you going to that hot, crowded, noisy mall?

8. Grammar Gal Says... Items in a series
If all items in a series are joined by and, or, or nor, do not use commas to separate them.
Grammar Gal Says...
I need tacks and nails and a hammer.
Sam or Carlos or Yolanda will be able to baby-sit tomorrow.
She never whines nor lies nor picks on her brother.

9. Items in a series
Identify each series in the following sentences, and add commas where necessary.
1. With a quick powerful leap, the stunt person bounded over the burning balcony.
2. One summer when we were little, I had mumps you had measles and he had chickenpox.
3. I took a flashlight a sleeping bag extra tennis shoes and a parka on our camping trip.

10. Items in a series
Identify each series in the following sentences, and add commas where necessary.
1. With a quick powerful leap, the stunt person bounded over the burning balcony. ,

11. Items in a series
Identify each series in the following sentences, and add commas where necessary.
2. One summer when we were little, I had mumps you had measles and he had chickenpox. , ,

12. Items in a series
Identify each series in the following sentences, and add commas where necessary. , , ,
3. I took a flashlight a sleeping bag extra tennis shoes and a parka on our camping trip.

13. Items in a series Add commas where needed in the following sentences.
On Your Own
Add commas where needed in the following sentences.
The loud annoying alarm woke us just before dawn.
Robert Browning says that youth is good that middle age is better and that old age is best.
Dr. Charles Drew worked as a surgeon developed new ways of storing blood and was the first director of the Red Cross blood bank program.

14. Interrupters
Use commas to set off elements that interrupt the sentence.
Nonessential clauses or phrases
Eileen Murray, who is at the top of her class, wants to go to medical school.

15. Interrupters
A nonessential (or nonrestrictive) clause or phrase adds information that is not necessary to the main idea in the sentence.
Eileen Murray, who is at the top of her class, wants to go to medical school.
Eileen Murray wants to go to medical school.
Removing the nonessential clause does not change the main idea of the sentence.

16. Interrupters
Use commas to set off elements that interrupt the sentence.
Nonessential phrases:
Their parrot, Mina, is very gentle.
Elizabeth Peña, my favorite actress, stars in the movie I rented.

17. Interrupters
Use commas to set off elements that interrupt the sentence.
Direct address
Linda, please read the poem aloud.
I like the image of the birds in flight, Mr. Ryan.
Your comment, Bernie, is interesting.

18. Interrupters
Use commas to set off elements that interrupt the sentence.
Parenthetical expressions
Of course, I am glad that he called me about the extra movie tickets.
She is, in fact, a dentist.
You should try out for quarterback, in my opinion.

19. Commonly Used Parenthetical Expressions
Interrupters
Parenthetical expressions are side remarks that add information or relate ideas.
Commonly Used 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

20. Interrupters
Identify whether the following items are missing commas (M) or are correct as is (C). For items missing commas, add the comma where needed.
1. My favorite painting Mona Lisa is displayed at the Louvre in Paris.
2. Did you know Amy that one of Faith Ringgold’s story quilts sold for $40,000?
3. You are, I hope, planning to go to the museum with me.

21. Interrupters
Identify whether the following items are missing commas (M) or are correct as is (C). For items missing commas, add the comma where needed. , ,
1. My favorite painting Mona Lisa is displayed at the Louvre in Paris. M

22. Interrupters
Identify whether the following items are missing commas (M) or are correct as is (C). For items missing commas, add the comma where needed.
2. Did you know Amy that one of Faith Ringgold’s story quilts sold for $40,000? , , M

23. Interrupters
Identify whether the following items are missing commas (M) or are correct as is (C). For items missing commas, add the comma where needed.
3. You are, I hope, planning to go to the museum with me. C

24. Interrupters Add commas where needed in the following sentences.
On Your Own
Add commas where needed in the following sentences.
1. My dad’s classic car a 1955 Mustang won first place in the car show.
2. That sculpture in my opinion is the most beautiful one in the exhibit.
3. Are you competing in the track meet Joyce?

25. Conventional uses of commas
Use commas in certain conventional situations, such as dates, addresses, salutations and closings in letters, and certain titles and names.
Separate items in dates and addresses
After Friday, November 23, 2012, address all orders to Emeryville, CA

26. Conventional uses of commas
Use commas in certain conventional situations.
After the salutation of a personal letter
Dear Dr. Shingles,
My dear Anna,
After the closing of any letter
Sincerely,
Yours very truly,

27. Conventional uses of commas
Use commas in certain conventional situations.
Abbreviations, such as Jr., Sr., or M.D. when they follow persons’ names.
Please welcome Allen Davis, Sr.
Carol Ferrara, M.D., is our family doctor.

28. More Review Add commas where necessary in the following sentences.
My twin sister can run faster jump higher and do more push-ups than I can.
Lance Martin was born June in Austin Texas.
When Professor Marcus went to China last year he visited many historic landmarks.
She and many of her friends attended Earth Day a festival devoted to ecology.
Biking accidents are common wherever cars and bicycles use the same road so many communities have provided bicycle lanes.

29. Review Answers
Add commas where necessary in the following sentences.
My twin sister can run faster jump higher and do more push-ups than I can.
Lance Martin was born June in Austin Texas.
When Professor Marcus went to China last year he visited many historic landmarks.
She and many of her friends attended Earth Day a festival devoted to ecology.
Biking accidents are common wherever cars and bicycles use the same road so many communities have provided bicycle lanes. , , , , , , , ,