Transcript Comma Rules 1-3 - Robertson County

Comma Rules 1-3
Ms. Frost
Rule 1

Use a comma to separate items in a series.
Examples
3 items
I like falafel tabouli and hummus.
2 commas
Examples
4 items
I read poetry novels memoirs and plays.
3 commas
Examples
It doesn’t matter how many items are listed.
The man complained of back aches headaches
stomach aches dry skin bad breath stinky feet heartburn
weak knees itchy scalp poor eyesight toe fungus and
a strange mole on his back.
Every item needs to be separated by a comma!
Rule 2
Use a comma to separate two or more
adjectives preceding (in front of) a noun.
Example
The woman is
described as angry
and bitter,
The angry bitter woman gave the guy a
round-house kick to the face.
so we put a comma in
between the two
adjectives.
Example
The cool aloof student claimed his dog ate his homework.
Where does the
comma go?
Where are the
adjectives in this
sentence?
Rule 3
Place a comma before a conjunction when it
joins (connects) two sentences together.
Conjunctions
And
Or
Nor
For
So
But
Yet
These conjunctions don’t forget!
Example
Chuck Norris once kicked a horse in the chin and
its descendants are known today as giraffes.
There are two sentences
in the sentence above.
To set the sentences apart,
we put the comma in front of
the conjunction.
Example
Sticks and stones may break your bones but
a Chuck Norris glare will liquefy your kidneys.
Are there two complete sentences?
So, the comma goes
before the
conjunction.
Example
One sentence.
Chuck Norris once went skydiving but promised to never do it again.
One Grand Canyon is enough.
There are not two
complete sentences.
Two sentences?
Um, No.
so there is NO COMMA!
Example
The KEY is to make SURE
there is a sentence
(Items in a series!)
on either side
Paper beats rock rock beats scissors and scissors
beats paper but Chuck Norris beats all three at the same time.
of the conjunction!
Recap
Rule #1:
Use a comma to separate items in a series.
Rule #2:
Use a comma to separate two or more
adjectives preceding (in front of) a noun.
Rule #3:
Place a comma before a conjunction when it
joins (connects) two sentences together.