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Learn to use commas to separate a series of nouns, verbs, adjectives, phrases, or clauses.
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Conquering the Confusion
A comma is a punctuation mark
It indicates a need for a pause in a sentence.
It helps to clarify the meaning of a sentence.
Commas in a series
Place commas between a series of three or more nouns, adjectives , or verbs .
The sentence above contains a series of three nouns. There is a comma after each noun in the series.
Place commas between a series of phrases or clauses.
Practice 1Where would you place commas in this
sentence?
The lions tigers and bears growled loudly at Dorothy.
Practice 1Where would you place commas in this
sentence?
The lions, tigers, and bears growled loudly at Dorothy. Comma after each noun in the series.
Practice 2Where would you place commas in this
sentence?
Dorothy stopped looked and ran.
Practice 2Where would you place commas in this
sentence?
Dorothy stopped, looked, and ran. Comma after each verb in the series.
Practice 3Where would you place commas in this
sentence?
The vicious desperate but starving animals gave up. Comma after each adjective in the series.
Practice 3Where would you place commas in this
sentence?
The vicious, desperate, but starving animals gave up. Comma after each adjective in the series.
Commas with Two AdjectivesSpecial cases!Use commas to separate adjectives that provide an equal description of a noun.
The Test:
Can the adjectives be reversed without changing meaning?
Can you put “and” between the adjectives?
If so, use a comma.
Practice with Adjectives 1Would you use a comma in this
sentence?Each of the three little pigs built a
house.
Practice with Adjectives 1Would you use a comma in this
sentence?Each of the three little pigs built a
house.
We would not say, “little three pigs.” Reversed – not okay
Practice with Adjectives 1Would you use a comma in this
sentence?Each of the three little pigs built a house.
We would not say, “little three pigs.” Reversed – not okay
We would not say, “three and little pigs.” Add “and” – not okay
NO COMMA
Practice with Adjectives 2Would you use a comma in this
sentence?The big bad wolf came to the door.
Practice with Adjectives 2Would you use a comma in this
sentence?The big bad wolf came to the door.
We would not say, “bad big wolf.” Reversed – not okay
Practice with Adjectives 2Would you use a comma in this
sentence?The big bad wolf came to the door.
We would not say, “bad big wolf.” Reversed – not okay
We would not say, “big and bad wolf.” Add “and” – not okay
NO COMMA
Practice with Adjectives 3 Would you use a comma in this
sentence?The frightened shivering pig asked,
“Who’s there?”
Practice with Adjectives 3 Would you use a comma in this
sentence?The frightened shivering pig asked,
“Who’s there?”
We could say, “shivering, frightened pig.” Reversed - OKAY
Practice with Adjectives 3 Would you use a comma in this
sentence?The frightened shivering pig asked,
“Who’s there?”
We could say, “shivering, frightened pig.” Reversed - OKAY
We could say, “frightened and shivering pig.” Add “and” – OKAY
USE A COMMA
Order of adjectivesSometimes, the ORDER of the
adjectives is important.
NUMBER comes first. Three little pink pigs
SIZE comes next Three little pink pigs
COLOR comes next Three little pink pigs
Order of adjectivesBecause the ORDER should not be
changed, they cannot be reversed. NO COMMA.
NUMBER comes first. Three little pink pigs
SIZE comes next Three little pink pigs
COLOR comes next Three little pink pigs
Order of adjectivesMemorize the order!
1. NUMBER2. SIZE3. AGE4. COLOR5. MATERIAL
These should not be reversed. NO COMMA
SummaryUse commas to separate a series of nouns,
adjectives, or verbs.Remember – sometimes adjectives do NOT
take a comma! Can you place an “and” between them?Can you reverse them?
If so – no comma!
Use commas to separate a series of phrases or clauses, too.