Commas

GRAMMAR UNIT 7 LESSON 6

Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series.

Example: A chair, a table, a lamp, and a sofa were the room’s only furnishings.

The cat ran into the room, across the floor, and up the curtain.

Skim the section titles, study the picture captions, and make a note of any boldface terms.

COMMAS IN A SERIES

When all the items in a series are connected by conjunctions, no commas are necessary.

Example: It was a hot and sunny and humid day in July.

I want a red or black or orange or purple popsicle.

Nouns that are used in pairs to express one idea (thunder and lightning, table and chairs, bread and butter) are considered single units and should not be separated by commas.

Example: My favorite breakfast is toast, bacon and eggs, and tomato juice.

COMMAS IN A SERIES

Coordinate adjectives modify a noun equally.

To determine whether adjectives are coordinate, try to reverse their order or put the word and between them. If the sentence still sounds natural, the adjectives are coordinate.

Place a comma between coordinate adjectives that PRECEDE a noun.

Example: Popeye is a playful, affectionate, intelligent cat.

COMMAS AND COORDINATE ADJECTIVES

Don’t use a comma between adjectives preceding a noun if the adjectives sound unnatural with their order reversed or with and between them.

In general, adjectives that describe size, shape, age, and material do not need to be separated by commas.

Example: Jelani grew up in a small white frame house.

COMMAS AND COORDINATE ADJECTIVES

Commas may be needed between some of the adjectives before a noun and not between others.

Example: I like to read in our bright, cozy family room.

In the preceding sentence, and would sound natural between bright and cozy, but it would not sound natural between cozy and family.

COMMAS AND COORDINATE ADJECTIVES

Use a comma between the main clauses in a compound sentence.

Place commas before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) that joins two main clauses.

Example: I am not going to the concert, for I am too busy.

Many prospectors searched for years, but others found gold at once.

Lindy wanted her own guitar, so she started saving all of her paper-route income.

COMMAS AND COMPOUND SENTENCES

Rewrite each sentence, correcting any errors in the use of commas or other punctuation.

1. Tom was a triumphant happy jolly man.2. Joe Kathy and Suzie went to the kitchen to

make tuna salad ham and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

3. Mrs Johnson fed her dogs first; then her cats, and then herself.

4. Wylie is a tall, young boy.5. I went to the bowling alley today; and I’ll

go shopping tomorrow.

EXERCISE