1. Commas A 5 th Grade Guide

2. Commas in a Series A comma separates words or ideas in a sentence and tells the reader when to pause. Use commas to separate items in a series. A series is a list of three or more words or phrases. A conjunction such as and or or is used before the last item. Do not use a comma after the last item. –We’re going to a lake on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

3. Add the Commas Our cabin near the lake is small comfortable and inexpensive. I might fish snorkel swim or sail over the weekend. A family packs the van climbs in and drives north.

4. More Commas Use a comma to set off introductory words such as yes, no, or well. –Yes, we celebrate Earth Day on April 22. Use a comma after an introductory word that shows feeling or emotion—an interjection: Hey, oh, hooray, wow, and ah. –Wow, what a great idea for a holiday.

5. Add the Commas Yes we would like to sit at the table by the window. Nevertheless it is time to start getting ready for bed. Well I think it would be best for us to leave before 10:00 p.m. Hey do you want to go to the beach? Hooray I won first place in the Science Fair! Ah look at those amazing fireworks!,,,,,

6. More Commas Use a comma to set off the name of a person being spoken to or addressed. The comma might come before, after, or both before and after the noun of direct address. –Today is Earth Day, Juan! –Juan, today is Earth Day! –Did you know, Juan, that today is Earth Day?

7. Add the Commas Do you think we will raise enough money for the field trip Sierra? Danielle your witch costume was the best at the party. Sometimes Thomas you can be a little rude to people.,,,,

8. More Commas Use a comma after an introductory prepositional phrase. –Across the world, people celebrate Earth Day. Use a comma after a tag question added to the end of a sentence. –People celebrate Earth Day in many ways, don’t they?

9. Add the Commas During the flood some people had to evacuate their homes. Behind the closet door my little brother is hiding from me. After working at the same job for 35 years Mr. Smith was ready to retire. You took out the trash didn’t you? Jack looks like he is going to fall asleep doesn’t he? Jacob is Cody’s brother isn’t he?,,,,,,

10. Letters, Dates & Locations In a friendly letter, the greeting and closing end with a comma. –Dear Mary, –Sincerely, Martha Commas separate a city and state. –Springfield, Georgia Commas separate the date from the year. –December 10, 2013

11. Add the Commas 5431 East View Drive Chicago Illinois 60615 August 7 2013 Dear Judy I’m sorry to hear that the weather has been bad during your stay at your aunt’s house. Try reading Steal Away Home by Lois Ruby. It will make the time fly! Your friend Ellen,,,,

12. Commas & Adjectives Two or more adjectives before a noun are usually separated by a comma. –Panpipes have a soft, mellow sound. A comma is not used when one of the adjectives tell how many. –They are made from many wooden tubes.

13. Add the Commas The didgeridoo is made from a long hallow branch. The sansa has a body made of a hollow wooded block. The jalatarang consists of many different bowls filled with water.

14. Compound Sentences A compound sentence combines two simple sentences that have related ideas. A coordinating conjunction (F.A.N.B.O.Y.S) join the two sentences. Always use a comma before the coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence. –Vikings were fine sailors, and they had the best ships in the world. –The Vikings were early explorers, but they were also raiders. –Vikings sailed their longboats, or they rowed their ships.

15. Add the Commas Most Viking ships rotted away long ago but a few survived. Viking chiefs were buried in the ground or they were buried in their ships. The ship is 76 feet long but it measures only 17 feet across. The ship steered easily and it held up well in fierce storms. The Viking ship might have been used in raids or it might have belonged to a Viking queen. The ships were very strong and they were also light and graceful.

16. Appositives An appositive is a word or phrase that identifies or explains a noun. Appositives follow the nouns they identify or explain. –Peanut butter, a popular food, was invented in 1890. A popular food identifies peanut butter –It was called nut paste by its inventor, a doctor. A doctor identifies inventor Notice that commas set off the appositive from the rest of the sentence.

17. Add the Commas George Bayle a St. Louis merchant sold the first peanut butter Peanut butter a source of protein was an early health food.