Comma Usage Part 1 Rules

We should give to a charity, or we should volunteer at a soup kitchen. 1. Use a comma before a conjunction that begins an independent clause. (and, but, for, or, nor, yet, so) The seats in the theatre were filled, and people were standing in the side isles. We should give to a charity, or we should volunteer at a soup kitchen.

Class Work - in your notes Get a workbook Answer questions 1-5 page 285 by writing the word and then the comma. Example from Exercise A: game,

2. Separate words, phrases, and clauses in a series/list with commas My mother, aunt, and cousin went with me to the hospital. We found the messages scrawled on the garage door, under the mailbox, and on the sidewalk.

2A. Parallel Structure Definition: using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as "and" or “or” Example 1 Not Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle. Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle. Example 2 Not Parallel: The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner. Parallel: The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.

Which sentence is written correctly? You either must go or you can stay. Jim’s salary is much larger than the salary of Marsha Milton told us that he was tanned, rested, and he was ready. I need to get a carton of eggs, a wheel of cheese, and a container of milk.

3. Use commas between coordinate adjectives Example: His talk was full of inaccurate, intolerant, and inane remarks. Rule: Generally, omit the comma after numbers and adjectives of size, shape, and age. A big round moon five tiny wafers Otherwise, use these two tests…

Coordinate adjectives continued 2 tests to check for coordinate adjectives A. place the word and between the two adjectives B. reverse the two adjectives If they pass both tests, then they are most likely coordinate and you should use a comma Are all of these commas correct? Lydia was a polite, generous, articulate young, woman.

Which sentences need commas between coordinate adjectives? 1. The poster depicted a brown-haired blue eyed child wearing a red denim shirt. 2. In the attic we found old thin paper dolls. 3. For breakfast we ate two oversized blueberry muffins.