Commas when sentences have items in a series.

1. Commas
Part 1
By Mrs. Burch
8/13/18

2. Goal: I will be able to correctly use commas
with items in a series.

3. What is the rule?

4. If a sentence has 3 or more words in a row,
use commas.
If a sentence only has 2 items in a row, NO
comma is used.

5. Examples:
Do you want peas, carrots, or corn with your
dinner?
Notice: If there are 3 items in a row, you
need 2 commas.

6. Examples:
Do you want peas or carrots with your
dinner?
Notice: There are only 2 items in a row, so
NO comma us used.

7. Example:
My favorite dogs are golden retrievers,
labradors, beagles, and dachsunds.
Note that if there are 4 items in a row, you
need 3 commas.

8. Does the following sentence have any mistakes?
Pedro wanted pasta vegetables and rolls
for dinner.
Yes! There are 3 items in a row, so this sentence
needs 2 commas.

9. Does the following sentence have any mistakes?
Pedro wanted pasta, vegetables, and rolls
for dinner.
Yes! There are 3 items in a row, so this sentence
needs 2 commas.

10. Does the following sentence have any mistakes?
Mom bought Twix Snickers M&M’s and
Reese’s Pieces for Halloween.
Yes! There are 3 items in a row, so this sentence
needs 2 commas.

11. Does the following sentence have any mistakes?
Mom bought Twix, Snickers, M&M’s, and
Reese’s Pieces for Halloween.
Yes! There are 4 items in a row, so this sentence
needs 3 commas.

12. Does the following sentence have any mistakes?
You may write your report about snakes,
lizards or tortoises.
Yes! There are 4 items in a row, so this sentence
needs 3 commas.

13. Does the following sentence have any mistakes?
You may write your report about snakes,
lizards, or tortoises.
No! This sentence is already correct.

14. If a sentence has 3 or more phrases in a row,
use commas.

15. Example:
Xavier put his hiking books, a flannel shirt,
and some extra socks in his backpack.
Remember, if there are 3 items in a row, you
need 2 commas.

16. Example:
I walked on the treadmill, weight trained my biceps
and shoulders, and played racquetball at the gym.
Remember, if there are 3 items in a row, you need 2
commas.

17. Does the following sentence have any mistakes?
Keith had to do his homework eat dinner
and take out the trash.
No! This sentence is already correct.

18. Does the following sentence have any mistakes?
Keith had to do his homework, eat dinner,
and take out the trash.
Yes! There are 3 items in a row, so this sentence
needs 2 commas.

19. Does the following sentence have any mistakes?
Pounding rain, and rushing wind will weather
rocks.
Yes! There are 3 items in a row, so this sentence needs
2 commas.

20. Does the following sentence have any mistakes?
Pounding rain and rushing wind will weather
rocks.
Yes! There are ONLY 2 items in a row, so no comma is
needed.

21. Time to take a quiz. Get your paper and privacy
barriers ready! (Quiz is on next slide.)

22. Directions: Write the following sentences
correctly.
1. I must clean the bathroom kitchen and
family room this weekend.
2. We bought our tickets got our popcorn and
found our seats.