Punctuation - When Do I Use A Comma?

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     Commas have more functions in English grammar than any other form of punctuation.  There are many ways to use the comma in writing.

     You can help your child correctly learn how to use commas when writing.

·         A comma is used to separate a group of three or more words in a list or series.  Example:  I bought apples, cherries, and strawberries at the store.

·         Commas are used in dates to separate the day of the week, the month and date, and the year.  Example:  Monday, June 5, 2003.

·         Commas are used to group three or more common words (nouns, verbs, adjectives or adverbs).  Example:  I jumped, climbed, and ran at the park.

·         When proper nouns name a city and state, or a city and province, a comma goes between them.  Example:  Toronto, Ontario       Miami, Florida

·         Commas are used to set off the name of a person directly addressed.  Example:  David, stop biting your nails!

·         Commas start off introductions.  The introduction can be anywhere from one word to a clause.  The introduction usually states a person, time, place, fact, or condition.  Example:  As you know, I am feeling fine.

·         Commas are used before a conjunction (‘and’ or ‘but’) in a sentence.  Example:  She is a good runner, but she would rather swim.

·         A comma is used when writing numbers.  Commas are used at every 3 digits in a number with 4 or more digits.  Example:  4,682

·         Commas are used before a quotation and after words such as ‘said’, ‘cried’, and ‘stated’.  Example:  John said, “I’ll play.”

·         A sentence can start with an introduction that acts like a bridge between the last sentence and the new sentence. The introduction makes a transition between the two sentences. This is known as a transitional phrase and it always appears at the start of a sentence and is followed by a comma. Example:  I am a good soccer player.  Therefore, I should be on this team.

     Clearly, commas have many functions in the English language.  Have your child practice the variety of ways in order to see ‘smoother’ and improved writing.

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Tutorgiant.com provides complete Comma lessons with worksheets.

See some of the lessons in our video library.

COMMAS - Lesson (A) Introduction to Commas (Grades 1-3)
COMMAS - Lesson (B) Commas in Dates (Grades 4-6)

COMMAS - Lesson (C) Commas and Adjectives (Grades 4-6)

COMMAS - Lesson (D) Commas and Transitional Phrases (Grades 4-6)
COMMAS - Lesson (E) Commas and Introductory Words (Grades 7-8)

      Writing                Grammar  

by Stuart Ackerman         by Stuart Ackerman

     MSc.Ed.,B.A.                 MSc.Ed.,B.A.

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