hitchhiker’s guide to grammar

Hitchhiker’s Guide to Grammar

Punctuation Part I:Commas

What to Learn • Objectives:• 1. Students will understand how to properly use commas in

writing. • 2. Students will be able to explain why commas are used in

certain spots. • GLCE Standard

-W.GR.08.01 in the context of writing, correctly use style conventions (e.g., Modern Language Association Handbook) and a variety of grammatical structures in compositions including infinitives, gerunds, participial phrases, and dashes or ellipses.

Meet the Comma

• , =Comma

• The Comma (,): Designed to prevent midsentence collisions between two separate entities.

• A comma (,) indicates to a reader that they should take a brief breath during their reading. This pause helps distinguish meaning within a sentence.

• A comma (,) does not inform readers to completely pause reading. This is the job of a period (.)

SEE THE RULES

Official Rule Book• Rule 1: Use a comma to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more.

• Example: The My $10 million estate is to be split among my husband, daughter, son, and nephew.

• Rule 2: Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the word and can be inserted between them.• Example: The girl is a popular, energetic student.

• Rule 3: Use a comma when an ly adjective is used with other adjectives. • Example: Emily is a friendly, supportive community member.

• Rule 4: Use a commas before or surrounding the name or title of a person directly addressed.• Example: Please, Alex, take the trash out to the dumpster today.

• Rule 5: Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year and after the year. • Example: Kathleen met her husband on December 5, 1999, on a exquisite summer day.

Return to Question #: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

BACK TO THE EXPLANATION

Official Rule Book

• Rule 6: Use a comma to separate the city from the state.• Example: The band mostly played at a venue in Milwaukee, WI during their early years.

• Rule 7: Use comma to surround degrees or titles used with names.• Example: Jeff Stannard, Ph.D., took on all the responsibilities in the new book club.

• Rule 8: Use commas to set off expressions interrupting sentence flow. • Example: This video, according to multiple magazine reports, is not meant to be watched

by those under the age of fourteen.

• Rule 9: Use a comma when starting with a weak introductory clause.• Example: If you have a question about this, please address this now.

• Rule 10: Use a comma after the phrases of more than three words that begin a sentence. • Example: In order to be successful in college, you must develop a consistent work ethic.


Official Rule Book• Rule 11: Use a comma when a nonessential descriptor is used to introduce a person that has

been sufficiently introduced. • Example: Freddy, who has a limp, was in an auto accident.

• Rule 12: Use a comma to separate two strong clauses joined by coordinating conjunction-and, or, but, for nor.• Example: I have seen the first Spiderman movie, but not the second.

• Rule 13: Use a comma to separate two sentences if it will help avoid confusion. • Example: I have selected to buy an iPad and printer, and Bill has chosen to purchase a

laptop.

• Rule 14: Use a comma to introduce or interrupt direct quotations shorter than three lines. • Example: What he actually said was, “Remove the seat from the hallway.”

• Rule 15: Use a comma to separate a statement from a question.• Example: This road was plowed yesterday, wasn’t it?


Official Rule Book• Rule 16: Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence.• Example: The dog belongs to the Hills, not the Thomas family.

• Rule 17: Use a comma when beginning sentences with introductory words such as well, now, or yes.• Example: Now, this may be the biggest problem I have ever faced.

• Rule 18: Use a comma when surrounding words, such as therefore, however when they are used as interrupters. • Example: This shovel, however, does not clear out snow that well.


TAKE THE QUIZ

Correcting Comma Calamity #1


The dog which may already be clear to you is not feeling healthy at this time.

A.Rule 16 C. Rule 18

B. Rule 2 D. Rule 8

CORRECT• I took Angie, the one with the freckles, to the movie last night.

Rule 11: Use a comma when a nonessential descriptor is used to introduce a person that has been sufficiently introduced. • Example: Freddy, who has a limp, was in an auto accident.

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CORRECT• She has a good healthy attitude about work.

Rule 2: Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the word and can be inserted between them.• Example: The girl is a popular, energetic student.


CORRECT • To apply for this job, you must have a Social Security card.

Rule 10: Use a comma after the phrases of more than three words that begin a sentence. • Example: In order to be successful in college, you must develop

a consistent work ethic.


CORRECT• Please, Sasha, come home from work.

Rule 4: Use a commas before or surrounding the name or title of a person directly addressed.• Example: Please, Alex, take the trash out to the dumpster today.


CORRECT• I can go, can’t I?

Rule 15: Use a comma to separate a statement from a question.• Example: This road was plowed yesterday, wasn’t it?


CORRECT• The dog, which may already be clear to you, is not feeling

healthy at this time.

Rule 8: Use commas to set off expressions interrupting sentence flow. • Example: This video, according to multiple magazine reports, is

not meant to be watched those under fourteen.


CORRECT• Mae said, “Why don’t you come up and see me sometime?”

Rule 14: Use a comma to introduce or interrupt direct quotations shorter than three lines. • Example: What he actually said was, “Remove the seat from the

hallway.”


CORRECT• My hometown has been Traverse City, MI for the past three

years.

Rule 6: Use a comma to separate the city from the state.• Example: The band mostly played at a venue in Milwaukee, WI

during their early years.


CORRECT• It is drizzling, not pouring.

Rule 16: Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence.• Example: The dog belongs to the Hills, not the Thomas family.


CORRECT• Jerry purchased the new bike, didn’t he?

Rule 15: Use a comma to separate a statement from a question.• Example: This road was plowed yesterday, wasn’t it?


CORRECT• I met my favorite basketball player on December 9, 2000, at

Biggby Coffee.

Rule 5: Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year and after the year. • Example: Kathleen met her husband on December 5, 1999, on a

exquisite summer day.


CORRECT• I would, however, like to return this recent purchase.

Rule 18: Use a comma when surrounding words, such as therefore, however when they are used as interrupters. • Example: This shovel, however, does not clear out snow that

well.


CORRECT• Chris was a friendly, old teacher.

Rule 3: Use a comma when an ly adjective is used with other adjectives. • Example: Emily is a friendly, supportive community member.


CORRECT• The most essential components of basketball are passing,

shooting, and dribbling.

Rule 1: Use a comma to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more.• Example: The My $10 million estate is to be split among my

husband, daughter, son, and nephew.


CORRECT• Al Mooney, M.D., knew Sam Sunny Jr. and Charles Starr III.

Rule 7: Use comma to surround degrees or titles used with names.• Example: Jeff Stannard, Ph.D., took on all the responsibilities in

the new book club.


CORRECT• I chose the colors red and green, and blue was his first choice.

Rule 13: Use a comma to separate two sentences if it will help avoid confusion. • Example: I have selected to buy an iPad and printer, and Bill has

chosen to purchase a laptop.


CORRECT

Well, I do not agree that excess trash is destroying the environment.

Rule 17: Use a comma when beginning sentences with introductory words such as well, now, or yes.

• Example: Now, this may be the biggest problem I have ever faced.


CORRECT• If you are not sure about this, let me know now.

Rule 9: Use a comma when starting with a weak introductory clause.• Example: If you have a question about this, please address this

now.


CORRECT• I am almost finished staining the floors, but he still is working

on trimming the doors.

Rule 12: Use a comma to separate two strong clauses joined by coordinating conjunction-and, or, but, for nor.• Example: I have seen the first Spiderman movie, but not the

second.


CORRECT• I am, as you may have noticed, very anxious to get this lesson

started.

Rule 8: Use commas to set off expressions interrupting sentence flow. • Example: This video, according to multiple magazine reports, is not

meant to be watched by those under the age fourteen.

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