The Comma

1. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items.

Example: My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew.

Note: 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. Most newspapers and magazines drop the Oxford comma in a simple series,
apparently feeling it's unnecessary. However, omission of the Oxford comma can sometimes lead to
misunderstandings.

Example: We had coffee, cheese and crackers and grapes.

Adding a comma after crackers makes it clear that cheese and crackers represents one dish. In cases like this, clarity
demands the Oxford comma.

We had coffee, cheese and crackers, and grapes.

2. Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the order of the adjectives is interchangeable.

Example: He is a strong, healthy man.

We could also say healthy, strong man.

Example: We stayed at an expensive summer resort.

We would not say summer expensive resort, so no comma.

Another way to determine if a comma is needed is to mentally put and between the two adjectives. If the result still
makes sense, add the comma. In the examples above, a strong and healthy man makes sense, but an
expensive and summer resort does not.

3. When starting a sentence with a dependent clause, use a comma after it.

Example: If you are not sure about this, let me know now.

Follow the same policy with introductory phrases.

Example: Having finally arrived in town, we went shopping.

4. Use commas to set off non-essential words, clauses, and phrases (Who, That, Which).

Example: Jill, who is my sister, shut the door.

5. Use a comma after certain words that introduce a sentence, such as well, yes, why, hello, hey, etc.

Examples:
Why, I can't believe this!
No, you can't have a dollar.

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6. Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt the sentence flow (nevertheless, after all, by the way, on the
other hand, however, moreover, therefore etc.).

Example: I am, by the way, very nervous about this.

7. Use a comma to separate a statement from a question (Tag Questions).

Example: I can go, can't I?

8. Use commas with appositives.

An appositive is a phrase that provides clarifying information about a noun. Use a pair of commas to separate it from
the sentence. If the appositive phrase is removed from the sentence, the sentence still makes sense.

Example: Mom will make my favorite meal, spaghetti, for my birthday.

My backpack, the one that is red and blue, is by the door

1) Write a sentence as instructed below. Use commas correctly.

1. Write a sentence with a series of three items.

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2. Write a compound sentence using the conjunction ‘but’
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3. Write a sentence with an introductory adverbial clause that starts with ‘although’
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4. Write a sentence that starts with a direct quotation.
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5. Write a sentence that starts with an introductory prepositional phrase.
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2) Rewrite each of the sentences. Include an appositive to give more information about a noun in the sentence.

1. Jessica took her kitten to the park.

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2. We went to the restaurant with Samantha.
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3. Stephen read his book for the book report assignment.
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4. My favorite holiday is in December.
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5. His pet is a little frightening.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Activity 8
Rewrite the sentences inserting commas where necessary.
1. I painted my room blue pink and white.
2. Mr. Perera my next-door neighbour is a nice gentleman.
3. We are having rice dhal curry fried brinjal and a salad for lunch.
4. If you work hard you will get good results.
5. “He is your little brother isn’t he?”
6. A: Have you read Madol Doowa the famous children’s novel?
B: Yes I have.
Activity 9

Rewrite the paragraph, adding commas where necessary.

Last Last Sunday I went to the fair with my aunt. The place was crowded with men
women and children. The fair was filled with all kinds of things. There were fruit
vegetables pots clothes toys and many other items. Everybody was either buying or
selling something. My aunt bought some rice vegetables and fruit while I bought a toy car
a blue pencil box and some candyfloss. While I was there I also met Harin my best friend
from primary school.

Workbook Activity 6
Turn the sentences into one sentence. Put commas where necessary.
• Rajini’s skirt had blue in it. It also had green. It also had purple polka dots in it.
……………………………………………………………………………………….....………

• Kasun bought two books from the bookshop. He also bought a pen. He also bought a box of crayons.
…………………………………………………………………………………….....…………

• The journey was long. It was hard. It was also tiring.

…………………………………………………………………………………….........………

• The kitten meowed. It purred. It went to sleep.

…………………………………………………………………………............………………

Add commas where needed.

1. I can't decide if I want to go to the party, the game or the dance.

2. The mouse the rat and the gerbil all looked very similar to me.

3. My mom made me clean my room do the dishes and walk the dog.

4. I asked Jeff Ryan and Brad to come over after school.

5. Don’t forget to call your dad do your homework and fold your clothes.

6. Sophia Martha and Roberta all earned a great score on the test.

7. This weekend I wore two shirts three skirts and four pairs of shoes.

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 8. On vacation I will visit New York Chicago and Indianapolis.

9. After school, the teachers principals and cafeteria workers will have a meeting.

10. The new club will meet on Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays.

11. Do you want to eat a salad a hamburger and some fries?

12. We have to return to the library drive to the store and stop at the post office.

Combine the sentences into one sentence.

1. The boys love baseball. They also love basketball. They love golf too.

The boys love baseball, basketball and golf.

2. This actress sings. She dances as well. She also models.

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3. My mom eats salad. She eats eggs too. She eats chocolate also.
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4. On vacation, we plan to visit Washington. We also plan to visit Oregon. We plan to visit California as well.
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5. My dad is teaching me to ride my bike. He is teaching me to play golf. He is also teaching me to cook dinner.
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6. Peter teaches English. He also teaches science. He teaches math as well.

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7. Can you speak Spanish? Can you speak French? Can you also speak Italian?
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8. The building is tall. It is also fancy. It is new too.

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9. In an emergency, stay calm. Find the nearest exit. Also, call for help.
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10. This room is hot. It is also uncomfortable. It is ugly too.

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11. We bought a pizza. We bought some drinks too. We bought some cookies as well.
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12. This weekend it will rain. It will also snow. It will hail too.

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13. She loves riding her bike. She also loves swimming. She loves writing stories as well.

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14. Roger is my friend. Carson is also my friend. Becky is my friend too.

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15. Ian went to his grandma’s house after school. Then he went to the library. Then he went to the park.

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