Think Out Here likes giving its students a chance to shine, showing off their knowledge and ability to go beyond memorizing. When a student has truly learned something, he or she is able to teach that information.
Darren Chow has created another helpful set of notes with a quiz about Comma Usage. Many people do not realize that there are so many different ways to use commas. In all honesty, most people could not list more than one rule for using commas.
Punctuation is EXTREMELY important in all forms of writing. It guides the reader, illustrating how the sentence should be read. It also helps in the comprehension process. Punctuation separates information into chunks that help a person absorb the information in logical and relatable ways. When reading out loud, it allows a person a break for a breath. Punctuation also helps create organization in writing. There are numerous benefits to being skilled at using all different forms of punctuation. It is all part of becoming a great writer.
A tutor can really help smooth out a student’s writing by teaching simple punctuation rules. Eventually, the rules becomes habits, and the student’s writing has jumped to a new level.
Feel free to book a Think Out Here tutor with any questions regarding this lesson or to book a tutorial.
Here is Darren’s lesson. Enjoy!
Rules of Comma Usage
It can be difficult to know where a comma should or should not go. Commas should never be put where the sentence ‘sounds’ like it needs one, but rather, where a comma needs to go according to these rules.
1.Commas in a Series: One of the many rules for comma usage is to use a comma to separate at least 3 or more things in a sentence
The comma before the last item in a series is called the Oxford Comma. Throughout elementary school and high school students are taught that it is optional to place a comma before the last item in a list; however, in post-secondary, it is mandatory.
The Oxford Comma, also known as the serial comma, is the comma that is before the last item in a series of items. This is is not always used, but can be used to clarify sentences.
Examples:
a) He ran up to the hurdle, jumped over the hurdle, and crossed the finish line.
b) He ran up to the store, opened the door, and bought some bread.
2. Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions: Use a comma with a conjunction to connect 2 independent clauses.
Coordinating Conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Examples:
a) I like cheese, and he likes cookies.
b) I ate my sandwich, but she did not eat her cookies.
3. Commas with Introductory Phrases: Use commas to introduce elements in a sentence. Do not put a comma after an independent clause before a dependent clause, but put one after a dependent clause before an independent clause.
Examples:
a) Eating a cheese sandwich, I played the piano.
b) Because he was sad, he had a frown on his face.
4. Commas with Appositives: Commas can be used to replace parentheses or parts that add more information but don’t affect the sentence if taken out. Those are called appositives.
Examples:
a) Hockey (which is my favorite sport) is very fun.→Hockey, which is my favorite sport, is very fun.
b) The Vancouver Canucks, the number one team in the NHL, are winning the game.
5. Commas with Coordinate Adjectives: Commas are used to separate adjectives. An “and” or “but” can also be used to separate the last two adjectives but it is optional. A comma replaces the “and” at the end.
Adjective Order: Opinion, Size, Age, Shape, Color, Origin, Material, Purpose.
Examples:
a) The sleek, stylish, fast car zoomed past me.
b) The fizzy, sweet and tasty drink was refreshing.
6. Commas with Quotations: One of the most important rules of comma usage is for quotations or dialogue. Commas are used before dialogue. Commas are also used for splitting dialogue.
Examples:
a) She said, “Hi, Dad.”
b) “My question is,” he said, “do you like to eat spinach?”
7. Commas with “Yes” and “No”: Commas are used after “yes” and “no” at the beginning of sentences
Examples:
a) Yes, I would like to go to the carnival.
b) No, I would not like to take a survey.
8. Commas with Introductory Words: Commas are used after introductory words such as “therefore” or “although”. These words are also referred to as “Transition Words”.
Examples:
a) Meanwhile, I prepared the table for dinner.
b) However, I don’t like olives on pizza.
9. Commas with Names of People Addressed: Commas are used to separate names of people from the rest of the sentence is being directly spoken or written to.
Examples:
a) Michael, do you want to order pizza?
b) Eat your vegetables, Steve, so you can be healthy.
10. Commas with Years and Days: Commas are used to separate the years from the days in dates.
Examples:
a) August 8, 1999
b) March 25, 2013
11. Commas and Geographical Names: Commas are used to separate the city from the state similar to how years, dates, and commas work.
Examples:
a) Vancouver, British Columbia
b) Toronto, Ontario
QUIZ
Place commas where needed. Some sentences you may not need a comma.
1. My brother who loves to watch hockey tries to never miss a hockey game.
2. April 1 2013 is April Fool’s Day.
3. John answer the question.
4. Because she answered most of the questions on the test wrong she failed the test.
5. Joshua loves to go to the movies and Brian loves to stay at home.
6. I like to play games while Ashley likes to read books.
7. Zack finishes the project and finishes his homework.
8. He answered “Yes I would like cheese on my pizza.”
9. “I would like pickles” David said “but hold the mustard.”
10. He knocked over the sign put it back up and continued his race.
Write your answers in the comment box if you would like to receive answers to the quiz.
Think Out Here can help students improve grammar and punctuation at any level. Booking a Think Out Here tutor will help a student improve his or her confidence and grades! Good grammar and punctuation is not just something you learn it school. It is a skill for life; it is part of being a good communicator.
