Commas

1
Commas

• Commas can be used in many ways in a sentence to
  separate parts of the sentence.
• Use commas with
• Items in a series
• Between two or more adjectives
• Introductory words or phrases
• Interrupters
• Direct address
• Appositives
• In dates, addresses, and letters

2
Commas with items in a series

• Use a comma after every item in a series except
  the last one. A series consists of three or more
  items.
• The story or Daedalus and his son Icarus teaches
  us about cleverness, stubbornness, and
  foolishness.
• Each man used wax, feathers, and a harness to
  make a pair of wings.
• Icarus and Daedalus put on their wings, ran along
  the beach, and flew toward the open sea.

3
Commas with Adjectives

• Use commas between two or ore adjectives that
  modify the same noun or pronoun.
• Both father and son made a quick, daring escape.
• Daedalus used large, stiff feathers.
• Do not use a comma between adjectives that
  express a single idea.
• Each pair of wings had many light feathers.

4
Introductory Words/Phrases

• Use a comma after an introductory word or phrase
  to separate it from the rest of the sentence.
• Recklessly, Icarus flew too close to the sun.
• According to Greek myth, Icarus fell when his
  wings melted.

5
Interrupters

• Use a comma to set off words or phrases that
  interrupt, or break, the flow of though in a
  sentence.
• Daedalus, however, did fly to freedom.
• This myth has been told, I am certain, by many
  authors.

6
Direct Address

• Use a comma to set off nouns of direct address.
  A noun of direct address names the person or
  group being spoken to.
• Devon, explain why Daedalus warned Icarus about
  the sun.
• Dont forget, class, that Icarus didnt listen to
  his father.

7
Appositives

• An appositive is a word or phrase that identifies
  or renames a noun or pronoun that comes right
  before it. Use commas when the appositive adds
  extra information.
• Olivia E. Coolidge, an English author, wrote
  about Greek myths.
• an English author adds extra information
• Do not use commas when the appositive is needed
  to make the meaning clear.
• The English author Olivia E. Coolidge wrote about
  Greek myths.
• Olivia E. Coolidge is needed information for the
  sentence to make sense.

8
Dates

• When writing a date, use a comma between the day
  and the year.
• April 13, 2000
• Use a comma also after the year if the sentence
  continues.
• I am planning to see the tower on March 21, 2001,
  when I visit my grandma in Italy.

9
Addresses

• Use a comma between the city or town and the
  state or country.
• 422 Fairfax Road
• Milton, MA 02186
• Use a comma after the state or country if the
  sentence continues.
• Long ago, in Pisa, Italy, architects planned to
  make a bell tower for the towns cathedral.

10
Letters

• Use a comma after the greeting of a letter and
  after the closing.
• Dear Jeri,
• Your friend,