TheComma.pptx

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The Comma
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WHAT IS
A
COMMA?
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WHAT IS A COMMA?
A comma is:
a punctuation mark (,)
It is used to separate parts of a sentence, or to
separate the items in a list.
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WHAT are some other punctuation marks?
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There are 3 MAIN USES for COMMAS:
1. To separate items in a series.
Example: I love my old, blue, wool sweater.

How can we use commas to
make the meaning of this
sentence clear?
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Jane enjoys cooking, her family, and
her dog.
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2. To join 2 complete thoughts (2 independent clauses), which are
separated by a conjunction:
Example: I drink coffee, but I don’t drink tea.
He works hard, and he likes to travel.

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3. After introductory clauses or phrases, or around non-essential
(extra) information
Example: After work, please pick up the children.
My boss, who lives in Winnipeg, comes to work early.

3 Main uses of commas:
1. To separate items in a series:
These items are the same parts of speech (nouns,
adjectives, or verbs)
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Examples:
She eats salad, bread, and chocolate every day.
I like to run, swim, and ski in the winter.
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Examples:
I have an old, furry, friendly dog.
We need to wash the dishes, clean the bathroom and do
the laundry.
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Examples:
I have an old dog, a new house, and a used car.
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2. To join 2 independent clauses, which are 2 complete
thoughts. Independent clauses can stand alone as
sentences. We join them using a comma and a
conjunction.
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thoughts. Independent clauses can stand alone and are
joined by a comma and a conjunction.
Examples:
I visited Italy, but I didn’t go to Spain.
I love sandwiches, so I eat one every day.
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thoughts. Independent clauses can stand alone. They are
joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
Examples:
It is a short drive, and we should arrive soon.
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Remember the FANBOYS?
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, since.
These are coordinating conjunctions. They are important
because they are used after a comma to link 2 independent
clauses.

3. After introductory clauses or phrases, or around non-
essential (extra) information
Examples:
After it snowed, we made a snowman.
When you buy groceries, please pick up some milk.
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3. After introductory clauses or phrases, or around non-
essential (extra) information
Examples:
My mother, who is 75 years old, loves old movies.
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Let’s Practice.
Add the missing commas to the sentences below.
1. Beside the bed there is a suitcase.

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Let’s Practice.
1. Beside the bed, there is a suitcase.
The comma comes after the introductory information.

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Let’s Practice.
2. To pass the time we played checkers.

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Let’s Practice.
2. To pass the time, we played checkers.
The comma comes after introductory information.

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Let’s Practice.
3. My sister who is much older than I am goes to bed early.

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Let’s Practice.
3. My sister, who is much older than I am, goes to bed early.
The commas are placed on either side of the non-essential
information.

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Let’s Practice.
4. If the sun comes out we’ll go to the beach.

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Let’s Practice.
4. If the sun comes out, we’ll go to the beach.
After introductory information…

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Let’s Practice.
5. If you finish your work by 4:00pm you can go home early.

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Let’s Practice.
5. If you finish your work by 4:00pm, you can go home early.
After introductory information.

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Let’s Practice.
6. In the winter I like to run fish and ski.

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Let’s Practice.
6. In the winter, I like to run, fish, and ski.
To separate items in a series

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The Oxford Comma
The comma before the final item (, and) in a series is called
an Oxford comma.
We bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
We bought apples, oranges and bananas.
Both sentences are correct. The oxford comma is optional.
Just be consistent with your choice.

PRACTICE:
Remember the 3 purposes of a comma:
2. To join 2 independent clauses (using a conjunction).
3. After introductory information or to separate non-essential
information.
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PRACTICE:
Put commas in the following sentences. Which purpose are the
commas used for in each one?
1. Don’t forget to pick up your grandma phone your boss and buy
salad for dinner.
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PRACTICE:
1. Don’t forget to pick up your grandma, phone your boss, and buy
salad for dinner.
Separates items in a series
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PRACTICE:
2. The children were tired so they fell asleep on the couch.
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PRACTICE:
2. The children were tired, so they fell asleep on the couch.
Separates 2 independent clauses.
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PRACTICE:
3. After dinner please wash the dishes.
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PRACTICE:
3. After dinner, please wash the dishes.
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PRACTICE:
4. My sister who lives in Ontario is getting married.
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PRACTICE:
4. My sister, who lives in Ontario, is getting married.
Placed around non-essential information
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PRACTICE:
5. After you do your homework take the dog for a walk.
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PRACTICE:
5. After you do your homework, take the dog for a walk.
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PRACTICE:
6. I want to call my sister but she will be asleep now.
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PRACTICE:
6. I want to call my sister, but she will be asleep now.
To separate 2 independent clauses.
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PRACTICE:
7. I bought a beautiful new pink chair for my living room.
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PRACTICE:
7. I bought a beautiful, new, pink chair for my living room.
To separate items in a series.
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PRACTICE:
Give me an example of a sentence that uses commas to separate
items in a series.
1. I don’t like
2. I wish I had
3. If I won the lottery, I would
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PRACTICE:
Give me an example of a sentence that uses a comma between 2
independent clauses (and use a conjunction – and/but/or)
1. I wanted to go home early
2. She asked to borrow $20.00
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PRACTICE:
Give me an example of a sentence that uses a comma after
introductory information.
1. After it rains
2. If you go to the library
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COMMAS: Some Other Uses…
Direct Address:
When a speaker in a sentence names the person he is talking to, this
is called a direct address. Notice the commas are placed differently
depending on the location of the name.
1. I think, John, you’re wrong.
2. John, I think you’re wrong.
3. I think you’re wrong, John.
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In Dates:
In dates, the year is set apart from the rest of the sentence with a
comma.
December 12, 1992.
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In Quotations
1. Mary said, “I dislike concerts because the music is too loud.”
2. “I dislike concerts because the music is too loud,” she said.
3. “I dislike concerts,” said Mary, “because the music is too loud.”
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Any
Questions?
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Remember to
download the
presentation.

Your Homework is…
1. Write three sentences to show different uses of commas.
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https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/learner-english/comma
https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2315-how-to-use-a-comma
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Sources:

1. Submit your homework to Lori on Skype. The first sentence of your homework is
this: HW - time – date live: loramoren
2. For a Lunch & Learn on October 2h you would write: HW-10-Oct 20
3. After class, you have until the 11:59 pm the same day to complete the assignment.
4. I will correct the first three homework assignments I receive.

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Thankyou!
Lori Morency
Skype ID: live:loramoren
livelearn.ca

Thankyou!
Blaine
broberts@myenglishonline.ca
livelearn.ca
1-204-946-5140
website
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email
info@myenglishonline.ca

TheComma.pptx

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