Rules for commas in a series

This 7slide powerpoint presentation show is sure to liven up your commas in a series notes and practice. Notice that a comma does not follow the last word in the series. Commas before and in a series grammar and punctuation. When to use commas with example sentences separate a series of words. A comma separates elements in a sentence, such as items in a list or series, but it also shows that those elements are connected to each other within the same sentence. There are lots of rules about comma usage, and often the factors that determine whether you should use one are quite subtle.

Do not use commas to separate elements of a series when one of those elements includes one or more commas. If a title follows a name, separate the title from the rest of the sentence with a pair of commas. The mountains, the lakes, the meadows and the wildlife should be protected in this area. We at welcome secretary pompeos focus on proper grammar and punctuation, and we welcome him to our unofficial society of grammar nerds. There are some cases where you know you should use a comma such as when separating items in a list but there are other times when you might be. Commas can be used before a conjunction in a compound sentence. Of all the punctuation marks in english, this one is perhaps the most abused and misused. If you are asking about commas in relation to quotation marks, please see our rules for quotation. I need to do the shopping, because there is nothing to eat in.

This resource offers a number of pages about comma use. Punctuating a series is a simple aspect of sentence construction, but theres a surprisingly fierce debate at the heart of it. Do you need a succinct tool that will help you to capture the most important comma rules your students need to utilize in their writing. The candidate promised to lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce crime, and end unemployment. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series. Lets learn the 5 main rules of using commas during writing. Voiceover so for example, here in the united states, national blueberry muffin day is july 11th, and if we wanted to refer to a historical blueberry muffin day, lets say july 11th, 1981. Good writers always remember these rules and apply them in their writing. How is it determined when commas are needed or not needed between adjectives in a series.

Say your sentence in the abovereferenced imaginary document includes a. Please see rules 5 and 6 of commas, as well as our post commas with appositives for a complete explanation. Imagine that you text a shopping list to your roommate charlie, whos at the store shopping for your birthday party. The writing center commas, semicolons, and colons guides. This probably the first use of commas you learned in school. Some essays look as though the student loaded a shotgun with commas and blasted away. The series is connected by and, or, or nor before the last item. One use of the comma is to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a list or series. Imagine that you text a shopping list to your roommate charlie, whos at the store shopping for your. Commas song learn grammar learning upgrade app youtube. Commas are used to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series. In english you can use series commas when you list items. In some circles, such as business communications and book publishing, the serial.

You should not use a comma before and if youre only mentioning two qualities. How to punctuate a series with commas and semicolons the. Commas dont just signify pauses in a sentence precise rules govern when to use this. While theres some degree of flexibility in how commas are used, its important to have a clear grasp of the rules. Commas are important in lists, and a series because it saves lives. Commas in a series use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series a conjunction goes between the last two items of the series while some authorities say that the.

In academic culture, we still use the serial or oxford comma, so even punctuation rules have a rhetorical context. Try learning these comma rules that will always help you in improving your punctuation when writing essays or letters in your exams. Comma rules state that commas must be used to separate items in a series, set off nonessential information or introductory clauses, and link independent clauses to independent clauses. The quiz and worksheet help you see how much you know about rules and examples of using commas in a series. Quotation marks vs italics and underlining organizer. Many different things come in the form of a series. There are a few basic grammar rules that can clear things up for you. This mini unit features mini lessons on commas in a series, words of direct address, direct quotations, introductory material, plus four more comma rules and two semicolon rules. The most important rules for using commas without looking. In british english, it is quite unusual to use a comma with and. Click on the commas for further explanation of the rules of comma usage being used.

If it covers more than one of these rules, i go with my gut on which rule takes higher precedence. The important things to remember about using commas in series are these. A comma is a punctuation mark, which is used for several reasons, but mostly the comma indicates a pause in the sentence. Newspapers and magazines do not generally use this rule as print space is too valuable to use on what might be considered extraneous punctuation. Sandra belinsky, md, has been appointed to the board. A comma is never used as an end mark, and it is read with a shorter pause than an end mark. When it comes to using commas, the word series takes on a different meaning. Commas separate items in a series, including coordinate adjectives. Commas in a series list powerpoint comma rules grammar ninja details. Bright, fresh lemon flavor has a comma between the adjectives bright and fresh, but not between the adjectives fresh and lemon. There are lots of rules about comma usage, and often the factors that. A series includes 3 or more items of the same type words or groups of words. In newspaper writing, incidentally, you will seldom find a serial.

Try not to use a comma unless you can apply a specific rule from this page to do so. Say you have a series in a document that includes multiple details related to one element that are separated by at least one comma. Concentrating on the proper use of commas is not mere form for forms sake. In the lawyers book of rules for effective legal writing, thomas r. Commas can be a particularly tricky punctuation mark. Commas in a series list slideshow grammar ninja rules. There are lots of rules about comma usage, and often the factors that determine. Learn english and math the fun way with the learning upgrade app. We use commas to separate items in a series or list.

When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in the above example, it is known as the oxford comma. Included in this article are rules about the oxford comma, using a comma between two adjectives, and more. Remember, too, that a pause in reading is not always a reliable reason to use a comma. Use commas before and after a quotation within a sentence. Use commas to separate items written in a series such as separate items or words, phrases and subordinate clauses and short independent clauses in a series. A list needs to be separated, if it is not separated, it could cause confusion from the reader. The same rules for commas apply when writing speech and dialogue.

There are some general rules which you can apply when using the comma. This last comma the one between the word and and the preceding wordis often called the serial comma or the oxford comma. The last two items in a list are usually connected by and. A comma, is a punctuation mark used to denote a pause in the sentence shorter than a colon or a semicolon. Aug 05, 2018 if it covers more than one of these rules, i go with my gut on which rule takes higher precedence. By learning the following comma rules, you will be able to confidently place commas in the right position when writing sentences. If youve ever heard someone arguing about serial commas or oxford commas, this is what they were talking about. In english language punctuation, a serial comma, or series comma also called an oxford comma or harvard comma, is a comma placed immediately before the coordinating conjunction usually and or or in a series of three or more terms.

Most newspapers and magazines drop the oxford comma in a simple series, apparently. Always use commas to separate the elements of a series of three or more things, particularly the last two. This powerpoint presentation show is sure to liven up your com. Commas before and in a series in american english usage, many writers and editors feel that a comma should precede and with three or more items in a series. Coordinating adjectives are adjectives in a series that can be rearranged in any order and could be but are not strung together using and. Learn useful comma rules and how to use commas in english with example sentences and esl worksheet. I would like to order a salad, a sandwich, and dessert. A comma separates items in the series, including the final item preceded by and, or, or nor. In writeshops copying and dictation exercises, lesson 5, theres a phrase im confused about.

Use a comma to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series. Be sure never to add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself or to use commas with noncoordinate adjectives. By the way, this rule only applies to lists of three or more items. In numbers more than four digits long, use commas to separate the numbers into groups of three, starting from the right. Using a comma before and in a series get it write online. Commas provide clarity, particularly in sentences that contain several different elements. Mar 17, 2020 here are the four main guidelines for making that decision and using commas effectively. This commas in a series game will give your students an engaging way to practice using commas in a series of words with a fun game format. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. See more ideas about commas in a series, teaching grammar and teaching writing. The frigid, snowy, windy day was typical of minnesota in january.

Jan 21, 2010 sometimes we get grammar questions in the writeshop mailbag. How to use commas in a series of items grammar lessons duration. Displaying all worksheets related to commas in series. A lot of people have strong feelings about putting a comma before and in a list. The most important rules for using commas without looking dumb. My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter in law, and nephew. Voiceover so for example, here in the united states, national blueberry muffin day is july 11th, and if we wanted to refer to a historical. In english language punctuation, a serial comma, or series comma also called an oxford comma or harvard comma, is a comma placed immediately before the coordinating conjunction usually and or. Three reasons for the closing were insufficient funds, poor instructional materials, and. You should even place a comma between the last two, although some writing style guidelines now omit this comma. This means that when three or more items are being listed in a sentence, a comma goes between each item in the list. The rules for this post apply to sentences containing three or more items in a series. In american english usage, many writers and editors feel that a comma should precede and with three or more items in a series example.

Use a comma to separate the elements in a series three or. The constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. The rules about using commas in a list of adjectives are far more relaxed. A conjunction goes between the last two items of the series. In american english usage, many writers and editors feel that a comma should precede and with three or more items in a series. Exactly why this particular quirk of comma usage stirs such passions is hard to say. The oxford comma and when commas are used in a series are. Jan 01, 2014 while there are no simple rules regarding the placement of comma with conjunctions, the following guidelines should help. Worksheets are using commas, comma packet, commas to separate items in a series, name practice with commas, commas to separate a series of words work, comma exercises, commas in sentences work, rules for using the comma. Use a comma to separate items in a series three or more things.

Worksheets are using commas, comma packet, commas to separate items in a series, name practice with commas. Use commas after all elements of a series when one element includes and or or so, turns out rule 1 has an exception. However, i find the following nine 9 commas rules usually cover most situations when writing a sentence. Top 4 rules for using commas effectively thoughtco. Unnecessary commas in complex sentences generally, if the dependent clause comes second in a complex sentence, a comma is not used. Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. The serial comma, or oxford comma, is the comma that sometimes goes between the final two items in a series. Haggard says, the serial comma is essential in legal writing because it promotes clarity 17.

Here, we offer a brief, basic guide to using commas correctly. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series. Using a comma between all the items in a series, including the last two, avoids this problem. Popular television shows, movies, books, even video games frequently come in the form of a series, often with three or more. My estate goes to my husband, son, daughterinlaw, and nephew. Learn the essentials about commas in english quickly. Keep in mind that these are only guidelines, not steadfast rules. When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughter in law in the above example, it is known as the oxford comma. Commas must also be used to coordinate adjectives, set off quotations, link dependent clauses to dependent clauses, and separate words in common conventions. Comma rules, when to use commas in english 7 e s l. Use a comma to separate items in a series use a comma between words, phrases, or clauses that appear in a series of three or more. The commas in a series game works well as a language. While there are no simple rules regarding the placement of comma with conjunctions, the following guidelines should help.