Lesson 354 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma to separate co-ordinate adjectives. Co-ordinate adjectives can be checked to see if a comma is necessary by placing and between them. They will sound smooth and correct with the and.

Examples: 

The warm, sunny day made everyone happy. (warm and sunny sounds smooth) 

You are a clever little girl. (clever and little doesn't sound smooth)

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Today was not a clear sunny day.

2. Allison thought she was such a clever little girl.

3. Where did you buy that dashing red car?

4. They say that tomorrow will be a sunny warm day.

5. Your careless inconsiderate behavior could cause you serious problems.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Today was not a clear, sunny day.

2. no commas needed

3. no commas needed

4. They say that tomorrow will be a sunny, warm day.

5. Your careless, inconsiderate behavior could cause you serious problems.

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Lesson 353 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma or commas to set off an appositive if not closely tied to the words it equals or identifies. 

 

Examples: 

Larry Millward, my best friend, will speak at the meeting. 

My brother Ken moved to Hawaii. (closely tied)

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Fred James a soldier captured during World War II spoke at the assembly.

2. My sister Elaine died recently.

3. Paul the top student in his class was the valedictorian.

4. Small farming a very important occupation is disappearing.

5. We rode all day on Dot a very old and gentle horse.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Fred James, a soldier captured during World War II, spoke at the assembly.

2. My sister Elaine died recently. (It is closely tied, but one could take Elaine as a noun of address if you don't know her as the sister.)

3. Paul, the top student in his class, was the valedictorian.

4. Small farming, a very important occupation, is disappearing.

5. We rode all day on Dot, a very old and gentle horse.

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Lesson 352 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma or commas to set off words or phrases used as nouns of address (nominatives of address).

Examples:

Joe, get over here. 

Get over here, Joe. 

Young man, get over here.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Did you Susan see him at the meetings?

2. I will call you in the morning Steve.

3. Well Fred it was a pleasure to see you again.

4. Jeanne I don't know what is going on.

5. You should Bill know the answer to that one.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Did you, Susan, see him at the meetings?

2. I will call you in the morning, Steve.

3. Well, Fred, it was a pleasure to see you again.

4. Jeanne, I don't know what is going on.

5. You should, Bill, know the answer to that one.

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Lesson 351 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma to separate introductory words yes and no and mild interjections from the sentence that follows them.

Examples: 

Oh, I heard that before. 

Yes, I will be here.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Yes you may leave the room.

2. Of course I won't change my plans.

3. Oh you want to try my patience more.

4. No I didn't see you there.

5. Wow you think that is great.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Yes, you may leave the room.

2. Of course, I won't change my plans.

3. Oh, you want to try my patience more.

4. No, I didn't see you there.

5. Wow, you think that is great.

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Quiz for Lessons 346 - 350 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Baseball basketball track and tennis require running.

2. The numbers 8 16 32 and 48 are called even numbers.

3. Eat drink and make merry for you will soon die.

4. I like shopping my husband likes dining and the family likes activities.

5. Working hard saving some money and providing for a family should be important for a father.

6. I saw him run up the mountain jump off the cliff and land in a pine tree.

7. He was from Great Falls Montana and she was from Twin Falls Idaho.

8. I have been to Dubois Idaho Taber Alberta Canada and Whippany New Jersey.

9. She likes to sing to play the piano and to read novels.

10. The search party looked along the road up the hill and down the alleys for clues.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Baseball, basketball, track, and tennis require running.

2. The numbers 8, 16, 32, and 48 are called even numbers.

3. Eat, drink, and make merry, for you will soon die.

4. I like shopping, my husband likes dining, and the family likes activities.

5. Working hard, saving some money, and providing for a family should be important for a father.

6. I saw him run up the mountain, jump off the cliff, and land in a pine tree.

7. He was from Great Falls, Montana, and she was from Twin Falls, Idaho.

8. I have been to Dubois, Idaho, Taber, Alberta, Canada, and Whippany, New Jersey.

9. She likes to sing, to play the piano, and to read novels.

10. The search party looked along the road, up the hill, and down the alleys for clues.

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Lesson 350 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to separate a series of three or more short clauses. 

 

Example: 

I am working, he is sleeping, and she is singing. 

(The comma before the conjunction and is optional, but I prefer using it.)

Use no commas in a series when all items are joined by or, and, or nor.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. They are eating we are drinking and you are starving.

2. The music began the lights dimmed and the curtains opened.

3. My sister has left home my brother is at school and my mother is baking bread.

4. Jim fished Jeff hiked and I loafed the whole camp-out.

5. You correct he proofreads but I edit material.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. They are eating, we are drinking, and you are starving.

2. The music began, the lights dimmed, and the curtains opened.

3. My sister has left home, my brother is at school, and my mother is baking bread.

4. Jim fished, Jeff hiked, and I loafed the whole camp-out.

5. You correct, he proofreads, but I edit material.

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Lesson 349 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to separate a series of three or more phrases. 

 

Example: 

He ran down the hall, out the door, and into the yard. 

(The comma before the conjunction and is optional, but I prefer using it.)

Use no commas in a series when all items are joined by or, and, or nor.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. The rain splashed against the house onto the sidewalk and into the street.

2. Through the trees around the cabin and down the valley roared the wind.

3. College is to gain knowledge to make new friends and to prepare for a career.

4. The cat climbed up the tree and out on a limb and finally onto the roof.

5. Munching on an apple listening to a recording and sitting on the couch Martha looked very happy.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The rain splashed against the house, onto the sidewalk, and into the street.

2. Through the trees, around the cabin, and down the valley, roared the wind.

3. College is to gain knowledge, to make new friends, and to prepare for a career.

4. no commas needed

5. Munching on an apple, listening to a recording, and sitting on the couch, Martha looked very happy.

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Lesson 348 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to separate a series of three or more numbers. 

 

Example: 

He called for numbers 3, 6, 9, and 12.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. In the Bingo game the winning numbers were 7 21 35 46 and 72.

2. My combination for my lock is 3 54 and 26.

3. He said that his lucky numbers were 7 11 13 and 99.

4. The numbers 14 27 58 79 and 38 won the lottery.

5. I like mixed greens with numbers of 20 50 and 100 on them.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. In the Bingo game the winning numbers were 7, 21, 35, 46, and 72.

2. My combination for my lock is 3, 54, and 26.

3. He said that his lucky numbers were 7, 11, 13, and 99.

4. The numbers 14, 27, 58, 79, and 38 won the lottery.

5. I like mixed greens with numbers of 20, 50, and 100 on them.

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Lesson 347 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to separate a series of three or more words. 

 

Example: 

I dropped my pencil, papers, and books. 

(The comma before the conjunction and is optional, but I prefer using it.)

Use no commas between two or more words usually thought of as being one item. 

 

Example: 

We ate hamburgers, pork and beans, and potato chips.

Use no commas in a series when all items are joined by or, and, or nor. 

 

Example: 

You dance and sing and play well.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. I have seen many gold silver and copper mines.

2. People in the United States can travel by air rail or water.

3. The girl waved leaned over and fell into the pool.

4. My wife likes a meal of a glass of grape juice a fresh salad and spaghetti and meat balls.

5. At the resort we can hike and swim and ski all we want.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I have seen many gold, silver, and copper mines.

2. People in the United States can travel by air, rail, or water.

3. The girl waved, leaned over, and fell into the pool.

4. My wife likes a meal of a glass of grape juice, a fresh salad, and spaghetti and meat balls. (Spaghetti and meat balls are considered one item.)

5. no commas needed

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Lesson 346 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to separate parts of geographical places. 

 

Example: 

Have you visited St. Louis, Missouri?

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. A neat place we visited was Custer Wyoming.

2. In Cody Wyoming there is an interesting museum.

3. I enjoyed the zoo in San Diego California.

4. We saw many bears in Waterton Alberta Canada.

5. The Black Hills are in South Dakota.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. A neat place we visited was Custer, Wyoming.

2. In Cody, Wyoming there is an interesting museum.

3. I enjoyed the zoo in San Diego, California.

4. We saw many bears in Waterton, Alberta, Canada.

5. no commas needed

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Quiz for Lessons 341 - 345 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Most graciously

2. Dear Madam

3. Do you live at 431 North 500 West West Valley Utah 84098?

4. My birthday party is March 1 1976 at the golf course.

5. Monday February 2 is the day the groundhog looks for its shadow.

6. I lived at 368 Maple Avenue for a week.

7. May 1 was our wedding day.

8. Max Blaser Sr. is their neighbor in Tampa Florida.

9. Did you see Tom Jones Jr. at 430 East Plum Erda Colorado 35096 while on vacation?

10. During August all the leaves turn colors in Springfield Minnesota.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Most graciously,

2. Dear Madam: (a business letter)

3. Do you live at 431 North 500 West, West Valley, Utah 84098?

4. My birthday party is March 1, 1976, at the golf course.

5. Monday, February 2, is the day the groundhog looks for its shadow.

6. no comma needed (only one part)

7. no comma needed (only one part)

8. Max Blaser, Sr., is their neighbor in Tampa, Florida.

9. Did you see Tom Jones, Jr., at 430 East Plum, Erda, Colorado 35096, while on vacation?

10. During August all the leaves turn colors in Springfield, Minnesota.

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Lesson 345 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma after the complimentary close of a friendly or business letter. 

 

Example: Sincerely yours,

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed in these complimentary closings.

1. Very truly yours

2. Affectionately yours

3. Yours lovingly

4. Your best customer

5. Cordially

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Very truly yours,

2. Affectionately yours,

3. Yours lovingly,

4. Your best customer,

5. Cordially,

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Lesson 344 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma after the salutation of a friendly letter. 

 

Example: Dear Fred,

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed in these salutations.

1. Dear Aunt Vi

2. Dear Sir

3. Dear Mother

4. Gentlemen

5. My choicest friend

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Dear Aunt Vi,

2. Dear Sir: (a business letter)

3. Dear Mother,

4. Gentlemen: (a business letter)

5. My choicest friend,

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Lesson 343 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to set off the year in a date if three parts of date are given (month, day, year). Do not use commas if only two parts are given. 

 

Examples: 

I left May 23, 1958, at night. 

I know that July 1776 is an important date.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed in these sentences.

1. Did you know that Thomas Jefferson died on July 4 1826?

2. On December 25 1961 I was in Brazil.

3. Their wedding day was June 24 1954 in Salt Lake City.

4. Where were you in November 1989?

5. On Friday August 14 1997 the accident happened.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Did you know that Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826?

2. On December 25, 1961, I was in Brazil.

3. Their wedding day was June 24, 1954, in Salt Lake City.

4. no commas needed (only two parts)

5. On Friday, August 14, 1997, the accident happened.

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