INTERJECTIONS:
Words such as yes, no, indeed, and absolutely are called interjections. These interjections are usually included at the start of a sentence.
Commas are used to offset interjections.
Examples:Yes, I would like to go to the movies with you.
Yes, I’d be happy to help you with your homework.
No, she hasn’t finished the book yet.
No, the library doesn’t open until 10 a.m.
TAG QUESTIONS:
A tag question is a question that is added on to the end of a larger statement.
Example of tag questions.She didn’t forget to call you, did she?
The class starts at 8:30, doesn't it?
We can drink some water now, right?
Look at this one:
You are a teacher, aren’t you?
Notice where the comma is located.
It comes between the statement and the question.
In the example above the statement is “You are a teacher” and the tag question is “aren’t
DIRECT ADDRESS
We also need to use a comma when we address someone directly.
What does it mean to address someone directly?
Addressing someone directly simply means that you are speaking to someone.
For example: Is that you Steve?
However when addressing someone directly we need to use commas to set off the person's name or title.
Mrs. Jones. where are the papers you filed?
Great job, James!
Words such as yes, no, indeed, and absolutely are called interjections. These interjections are usually included at the start of a sentence.
Commas are used to offset interjections.
Examples:Yes, I would like to go to the movies with you.
Yes, I’d be happy to help you with your homework.
No, she hasn’t finished the book yet.
No, the library doesn’t open until 10 a.m.
TAG QUESTIONS:
A tag question is a question that is added on to the end of a larger statement.
Example of tag questions.She didn’t forget to call you, did she?
The class starts at 8:30, doesn't it?
We can drink some water now, right?
Look at this one:
You are a teacher, aren’t you?
Notice where the comma is located.
It comes between the statement and the question.
In the example above the statement is “You are a teacher” and the tag question is “aren’t
DIRECT ADDRESS
We also need to use a comma when we address someone directly.
What does it mean to address someone directly?
Addressing someone directly simply means that you are speaking to someone.
For example: Is that you Steve?
However when addressing someone directly we need to use commas to set off the person's name or title.
Mrs. Jones. where are the papers you filed?
Great job, James!
Commas: Introductory Elements
What are they?
Introductory elements consist of clauses, phrases and words that appear before the main clause of the sentence. Essentially, they prepare your readers for what the sentence is really about, or the meat of the sentence.
Introductory clauses and phrases
Introductory clauses and phrases that require an offsetting comma include prepositional phrases and clauses, infinitive phrases, participle phrases, dependent/subordinate clauses, nonessential appositive phrases and absolute phrases. The element is a clause if there is a subject and a verb, and it is a phrase if both of these parts of speech are not present. What comes after the introductory element is always an independent clause, or complete sentence, on its own, and the introductory element gives meaning to it.
Let's think about the following examples where omitting the comma is grammatically incorrect:
Prepositional: The phrase/clause starts with a preposition and is more than three words.
Example 1: For the cat that jumped down from the tree, it was a long way to the ground.
Example 1 is a prepositional introductory clause because it has a subject (cat) and a verb (jumped).
Example 2: In the heat of the moment, many people make rash decisions.
Example 2 contains a prepositional introductory phrase because there is a subject (moment) but no verb.
Infinitive: The phrase starts with an infinitive, which is the word “to” followed by a simple verb.
Example 3: To dance all night, she must have maintained tip-top physical conditioning.
Participle: The phrase starts with a present or past participle of a verb. Present participles for regular verbs end with “ing,” and past participles for regular verbs ending with “ed.” Sometimes both forms deviate from this structure if irregular verbs are used, such as built/built, chose/chosen or sang/sung. Despite the type of verb, these phrases modify the noun that immediately follows them.
Example 4: Splashing through the puddles, the girls looked like they were having a blast.
Example 5: Built in the 1920s, the house had a stronger foundation than originally thought.
Dependent/Subordinate: The clause starts with either a subordinate conjunction, such as after, while or if, or a relative pronoun, such as which, whichever or who. The clauses cannot stand on their own because they are incomplete thoughts.
Example 6: If you are not ready to commit, you are unlikely to experience success while trying to lose weight (“if” is a subordinate conjunction).
Example 7: Whether you like to swim in pools or fresh water, you can enjoy excellent results from working swimming into your workout plan (“whether” is a relative pronoun).
Nonessential appositive: These phrases are modifying ones that immediately precede the noun or pronoun they modify. They provide additional meaning or information to the sentence as a whole.
Example 8: An excellent teacher herself when it comes to cooking, my aunt is taking a culinary class.
Absolute: These phrases have a noun or pronoun, a participle (a form of a verb) and any relevant modifiers. They do not modify one word or subject; instead, they modify the entire sentence by providing additional information.
Example 9: Their faces glowing with excitement, the members of the winning team celebrated long after they had won the championship (the introductory phrase modifies the entire clause that follows it).
Use a comma to set off the words yes and no (e.g., Yes, thank you), to set off a tag question from the rest of the sentence (e.g., It’s true, isn’t it?), and to indicate direct address (e.g., Is that you, Steve?).
When any of these types of clauses are at the end of the sentence, the comma is unnecessary unless the clause/phrase contrasts the main clause dramatically.
For example:
Incorrect: You can save money on groceries, whether you use coupons or store-specific savings cards.
Correct: You can do well with freelance writing when you have a strong grasp of grammar rules.
Correct: She was crying earlier in the day, even though she had one of the best days of her life (this is an extreme contrast, so the comma is necessary).
Introductory words
Introductory words are often used to help sentences flow well from one to the next. In addition, some are common expressions (of course, on the other hand) or unforceful interjections (yes, well). These words do not have any grammatical connection to the remainder of the sentence. Common ones include the following: however, still, meanwhile, furthermore and others.
Examples:
What are they?
Introductory elements consist of clauses, phrases and words that appear before the main clause of the sentence. Essentially, they prepare your readers for what the sentence is really about, or the meat of the sentence.
Introductory clauses and phrases
Introductory clauses and phrases that require an offsetting comma include prepositional phrases and clauses, infinitive phrases, participle phrases, dependent/subordinate clauses, nonessential appositive phrases and absolute phrases. The element is a clause if there is a subject and a verb, and it is a phrase if both of these parts of speech are not present. What comes after the introductory element is always an independent clause, or complete sentence, on its own, and the introductory element gives meaning to it.
Let's think about the following examples where omitting the comma is grammatically incorrect:
Prepositional: The phrase/clause starts with a preposition and is more than three words.
Example 1: For the cat that jumped down from the tree, it was a long way to the ground.
Example 1 is a prepositional introductory clause because it has a subject (cat) and a verb (jumped).
Example 2: In the heat of the moment, many people make rash decisions.
Example 2 contains a prepositional introductory phrase because there is a subject (moment) but no verb.
Infinitive: The phrase starts with an infinitive, which is the word “to” followed by a simple verb.
Example 3: To dance all night, she must have maintained tip-top physical conditioning.
Participle: The phrase starts with a present or past participle of a verb. Present participles for regular verbs end with “ing,” and past participles for regular verbs ending with “ed.” Sometimes both forms deviate from this structure if irregular verbs are used, such as built/built, chose/chosen or sang/sung. Despite the type of verb, these phrases modify the noun that immediately follows them.
Example 4: Splashing through the puddles, the girls looked like they were having a blast.
Example 5: Built in the 1920s, the house had a stronger foundation than originally thought.
Dependent/Subordinate: The clause starts with either a subordinate conjunction, such as after, while or if, or a relative pronoun, such as which, whichever or who. The clauses cannot stand on their own because they are incomplete thoughts.
Example 6: If you are not ready to commit, you are unlikely to experience success while trying to lose weight (“if” is a subordinate conjunction).
Example 7: Whether you like to swim in pools or fresh water, you can enjoy excellent results from working swimming into your workout plan (“whether” is a relative pronoun).
Nonessential appositive: These phrases are modifying ones that immediately precede the noun or pronoun they modify. They provide additional meaning or information to the sentence as a whole.
Example 8: An excellent teacher herself when it comes to cooking, my aunt is taking a culinary class.
Absolute: These phrases have a noun or pronoun, a participle (a form of a verb) and any relevant modifiers. They do not modify one word or subject; instead, they modify the entire sentence by providing additional information.
Example 9: Their faces glowing with excitement, the members of the winning team celebrated long after they had won the championship (the introductory phrase modifies the entire clause that follows it).
Use a comma to set off the words yes and no (e.g., Yes, thank you), to set off a tag question from the rest of the sentence (e.g., It’s true, isn’t it?), and to indicate direct address (e.g., Is that you, Steve?).
When any of these types of clauses are at the end of the sentence, the comma is unnecessary unless the clause/phrase contrasts the main clause dramatically.
For example:
Incorrect: You can save money on groceries, whether you use coupons or store-specific savings cards.
Correct: You can do well with freelance writing when you have a strong grasp of grammar rules.
Correct: She was crying earlier in the day, even though she had one of the best days of her life (this is an extreme contrast, so the comma is necessary).
Introductory words
Introductory words are often used to help sentences flow well from one to the next. In addition, some are common expressions (of course, on the other hand) or unforceful interjections (yes, well). These words do not have any grammatical connection to the remainder of the sentence. Common ones include the following: however, still, meanwhile, furthermore and others.
Examples:
- Yes, you do need to purchase all the books in the series.
- However, you can purchase them one at a time.
- Meanwhile, read them slowly, so you are not left waiting to find out what happens in the next book in the series.
ELAGSE5L2: Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
a. Use punctuation to separate items in a series.* Quiz is on Tuesday Nov. 14th
b. Use a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of the sentence.
c. Use a comma to set off the words yes and no (e.g., Yes, thank you), to set off a tag question from the rest of the sentence (e.g., It’s true, isn’t it?), and to indicate direct address (e.g., Is that you, Steve?).
Items in a Series
USE A COMMA BETWEEN ALL ITEMS IN A SERIES.
Rule: Use a comma to separate each item in a series; a series is a group of three or more items having the same function and form in a sentence.
1. We bought apples, peaches, and bananas today. (series of words)
2. Mary promised that she would be a good girl, that she would not bite her brother, and that she would not climb onto the television. (series of clauses)
3. The instructor looked through his briefcase, through his desk, and around the office for the lost grade book. (series of phrases)
Commas should be placed in a series of words, clauses or phrases. When you list items in a series, it is important to punctuate them correctly to avoid confusion.
Examples of Items in a Series:
When you list two items, you can separate them with a conjunction. Remember that a conjunction is a word that joins two words, phrases, or sentences. When you list more than two items, you separate them as follows:
Put a comma between all items, and put a comma + and before the last item.
Items in a series can be single words or phrases. In addition, items in a series can be short sentences joined with commas and and.
Examples of items in a series:
Bread, milk, and cheese
Jennifer, Mary, and Charlotte
Red, yellow, and blue
Example of sentences containing items in a series:
1) For breakfast, I had cereal, juice, and toast.
2) My best friends are Paul, Amanda, and Quinn.
3) The moon, the stars, and the sun all appear in the sky.
4) Brush your teeth, wash your face, and go to bed.
5) Christmas trees, cozy sweaters, and warm hot chocolate are three of my favorite things about December.
6) We read books, played games, and went outside to swing.
7) For homework, I have to read this book, do 30 math problems, and make a collage.
8) Spaghetti, pizza, and hotdogs are my brother's favorite foods.
9) On the table, I saw a pair of scissors, tape, a ruler, and some paper.
10) Mrs. Smith, Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Peterson, and Mr. Lance are the four teachers on this hallway.
Further Explanation:
http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/iteminaseries.htm
https://www.slideshare.net/reinashay/parallelism-serial-comma
a. Use punctuation to separate items in a series.* Quiz is on Tuesday Nov. 14th
b. Use a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of the sentence.
c. Use a comma to set off the words yes and no (e.g., Yes, thank you), to set off a tag question from the rest of the sentence (e.g., It’s true, isn’t it?), and to indicate direct address (e.g., Is that you, Steve?).
Items in a Series
USE A COMMA BETWEEN ALL ITEMS IN A SERIES.
Rule: Use a comma to separate each item in a series; a series is a group of three or more items having the same function and form in a sentence.
1. We bought apples, peaches, and bananas today. (series of words)
2. Mary promised that she would be a good girl, that she would not bite her brother, and that she would not climb onto the television. (series of clauses)
3. The instructor looked through his briefcase, through his desk, and around the office for the lost grade book. (series of phrases)
Commas should be placed in a series of words, clauses or phrases. When you list items in a series, it is important to punctuate them correctly to avoid confusion.
Examples of Items in a Series:
When you list two items, you can separate them with a conjunction. Remember that a conjunction is a word that joins two words, phrases, or sentences. When you list more than two items, you separate them as follows:
Put a comma between all items, and put a comma + and before the last item.
Items in a series can be single words or phrases. In addition, items in a series can be short sentences joined with commas and and.
Examples of items in a series:
Bread, milk, and cheese
Jennifer, Mary, and Charlotte
Red, yellow, and blue
Example of sentences containing items in a series:
1) For breakfast, I had cereal, juice, and toast.
2) My best friends are Paul, Amanda, and Quinn.
3) The moon, the stars, and the sun all appear in the sky.
4) Brush your teeth, wash your face, and go to bed.
5) Christmas trees, cozy sweaters, and warm hot chocolate are three of my favorite things about December.
6) We read books, played games, and went outside to swing.
7) For homework, I have to read this book, do 30 math problems, and make a collage.
8) Spaghetti, pizza, and hotdogs are my brother's favorite foods.
9) On the table, I saw a pair of scissors, tape, a ruler, and some paper.
10) Mrs. Smith, Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Peterson, and Mr. Lance are the four teachers on this hallway.
Further Explanation:
http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/iteminaseries.htm
https://www.slideshare.net/reinashay/parallelism-serial-comma