Commas in a Series, Yes/No, & Tag Questions
My favorite fruits are strawberries blueberries and bananas.
My favorite fruits are strawberries, blueberries, and bananas.
We use commas to separate items in a series.
After basketball practice I have to study for my math test.
After basketball practice, I have to study for my math test.
We place commas after introductory phrases.
My dog is brown and he loves to play outside.
My dog is brown, and he loves to play outside.
We use commas to join two complete sentences.
Have you read this book Thomas?
Have you read this book, Thomas?
We use commas to set off the name of the person being addressed. The comma can come before, after, or before and after the noun of direct address.
A series is a list of ___ or more words or phrases.
A series is a list of 3 or more words or phrases.
Example: My favorite colors are pink, blue, and purple.
No I do not want to go to the movies tonight.
No, I do not want to go to the movies tonight.
We place commas after the words "yes" and "no."
When I get home I am going to ride my bike.
When I get home, I am going to ride my bike.
We place commas after introductory phrases.
My brother's toy car is black and it can go very fast.
My brother's toy car is black, and it can go very fast.
We use commas to join two complete sentences.
Did you know Mr. Jones that I have an A in your class?
Did you know, Mr. Jones, that I have an A in your class?
We use commas to set off the name of the person being addressed. The comma can come before, after, or before and after the noun of direct address.
What are complete sentences?
Complete sentences can stand alone. They have both a subject and a verb.
Example: My pet lizard eats bugs.
Yes I know Jonathan.
Yes, I know Jonathan.
We place commas after the words "yes" and "no."
Because Martha sold the most Girl Scout cookies she won the prize.
Because Martha sold the most Girl Scout cookies, she won the prize.
We place commas after introductory phrases.
I go to Porter Elementary School and I am in the fifth grade.
I go to Porter Elementary, and I am in the fifth grade.
We use commas to join two complete sentences.
"I was invited to Grace's house tomorrow" Mary said.
"I was invited to Grace's house tomorrow," Mary said.
We use commas in direct quotations.
What is the acronym that we use to remember the conjunctions?
(+50 points for every one that you can name.)
F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.
(for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
You play in the band don't you?
You play in the band, don't you?
We use commas before the tag question at the end of a sentence.
Since Tabitha started going to bed earlier she has not been late to school.
Since Tabitha started going to bed earlier, she has not been late to school.
We place commas after introductory phrases.
I love to roller skate but I am not very good.
I love to roller skate, but I am not very good.
We use commas to join two complete sentences.
Janet asked "Will you be able to go to Grace's house?"
Janet asked, "Will you be able to go to Grace's house?"
We use commas in direct quotations.
What is a dependent clause?
Dependent clauses do not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.
Example: Because Tommy studied for the test, he got an A+.
I didn't see you at the grocery store did I?
I didn't see you at the grocery store, did I?
We place commas before the tag question at the end of a sentence.
When my mom got home from work we surprised her with flowers chocolates and presents for her birthday.
(Bonus Points if you can place all of the commas correctly.)
When my mom got home from work, we surprised her with flowers, chocolates, and presents for her birthday.
We place commas after introductory phrases. We also use commas to separate items in a series.
I want to go to the beach but it is too cold.
I want to go to the beach, but it is too cold.
We use commas to join two complete sentences.
"I wish that I could" Mary said "but I am not feeling well."
"I wish that I could," Mary said, "but I am not feeling well."
We use commas in direct quotations.
Prepositional phrases typically answer these types of questions:
Prepositional phrases typically answer "where" or "when" questions.
Example: After school, I went to baseball practice.