Commas (Why should we care?)

So when do we use commas? Five main ways: Listing Introductory Material Extra Material Sentences Quotations

Listing Listing three or more things: “I had eggs, toast, and orange juice.”

Practice! I bought apples bananas and oranges. The rainbow is made up of red orange yellow green blue and purple. The rainbow is made up of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.

Introductory Material Stuff we use to introduce the sentence Introductory material is not a complete sentence by itself (dependent clause or phrase) “Although he was tired, he aced his Beowulf test.” “However, he fell asleep during the movie.”

Practice! When John was finished he turned in his test. Even though Beowulf was a man he could lift the giant’s sword. Even though Beowulf was a man, he could lift the giant’s sword.

Extra Material Extra material is nonessential – if you take it out, the sentence still makes sense Sort of like using (parentheses) “Ms. Moore, my teacher, is really awesome.” “Have you read The Hunger Games, a novel by Suzanne Collins?”

Some Relevant Definitions Dependent clause: contains a subject and verb, but cannot stand independently Before the teacher could see Dependent phrase: does not contain a subject and verb and cannot stand independently Flying through the air

When we put extra material between commas, it is also called an appositive—a noun or phrase that renames or identifies a noun

Practice! Joe is visiting Charlotte his hometown. Math my favorite subject is easy for me. Math, my favorite subject, is easy for me.

Sentences Use a comma to separate complete sentences with a coordinating conjunction (A complete sentence has a subject and a verb) Conjunctions For And Nor But Or Yet So “I went to the store, and I saw Bill.” “I said hi, but he didn’t see me.” Not scary 

Some Relevant Vocabulary Independent Clause: When a subject and verb are combined to express a complete thought Billy and Bobby love Master Pizza.

Some Relevant Vocabulary Comma Splice: When two independent clauses are joined by a comma Billy and Bobby love Master Pizza, they order it every Friday. WRONG Ways to Fix It: Add a conjunction: Billy and Bobby love Master Pizza, and they order it every Friday. Add a semicolon: Billy and Bobby love Master Pizza; they order it every Friday. Break into two sentences: Billy and Bobby love Master Pizza. They order it every Friday.

Practice! I can do homework or I can watch TV. My favorite food is pizza so I eat it every day. My favorite food is pizza, so I eat it every day.

Quotations (the last one!!) Introducing or defining a direct quotation “I can’t wait to read The Canterbury Tales,” said the entire class. “My favorite movie,” she said, “is The Avengers.”

Practice! My grandma said “Don’t steal my recipes!” “The best singer” he explained “is definitely Beyoncé.” “The best singer,” he explained, “is definitely Beyoncé.”

Now it’s your turn… Complete the two activities—Include the rule in addition to correcting the sentences. BONUS: Create one sentence for each of the five comma uses we discussed. Listing Introductory Material Extra Material Sentences Quotations