Punctuation Rules
If a participial phrase begins the sentence, where does the comma go?
The comma goes after the participial phrase.
Frustrated by too much homework, Joseph had to go on a walk before he started all of his work.
Start with an appositive phrase...
Sally accepted the honor with humility and poise.
She is the new student body president.
The new student body president, Sally accepted the honor with humility and poise.
This looks like a verb in a sentence, but it acts like an adjective because it describes a noun.
Participial phrase
In the wintertime, with my friends, the best memories are made.
The comma should go only after friends.
Name our classroom number
420
If an adverb clause is in the predicate part of the sentence (back of the sentence), what is the comma rule?
Example: I am going to the store after school BECAUSE WE ARE OUT OF GROCERIES.
Start with a prepositional phrase:
Mary made a full breakfast in ten minutes.
In ten minutes, Mary made a full breakfast.
What is the concept in all caps?
I am getting ready to go finish my Christmas shopping at Target, MY FAVORITE STORE.
Appositive Phrase
On Thursday in English class, is my sentence combining unit assessment that I will ace.
There shouldn't be a comma after class because the prep phrase series backs up to a verb.
Name at least three relative pronouns that begin an adjective clause.
who
whose
whom
which
that
What is the comma rule for adjective clauses? (hint: essential vs non-essential information)
Essential = no commas
Non-Essential = commas
Begin with a participial phrase:
Roger became the best student in his class.
He studied hours a night in each subject.
Becoming the best student in his class, Roger studied hours a night in each subject.
Steven practices UNTIL HE HAS MASTERED THE SKILLS.
What is the clause in all caps? (Hint: This type of clause answers the questions how, when where, or to what extent)
Adverb Clause
Jared my loving brother is excited to attend Fairmont High School together next year.
There should be commas around "my loving brother" because it's an appositive phrase in the middle of the sentence.
How many kids does Mrs. Silverman have?
3
If an appositive phrase is at the end of the sentence, where should the comma be placed?
The comma goes before the appositive phrase.
I can't wait to go to Starbucks, the best coffee shop.
Answers will vary. :)
What is it called when there are prepositional phrases back to back right next to each other?
Prepositional Phrase Series
My dad is going to put up the light which has been sitting in our garage for three years.
There should be a comma before which.
Name three prepositions.
:)
If the prepositional phrase is at the back of the sentence, where should the comma go?
Example: The beautiful painting is hanging in the bathroom on the wall.
There shouldn't be any commas!
Combine both sentences and use an adjective clause.
The skateboard looks well used.
I donated the skateboard to the neighborhood rec center.
The skateboard, which I donated to the neighborhood rec center, looks well used.
Jill, WHO LOVES FALL MORE THAN ANYTHING, can't wait to rake leaves, wear sweaters, buy caramel apples, and pick pumpkins. Name the clause in all caps.
Adjective Clause
I can't wait to go to the outlet mall, because I am going to get a new pair of shoes from the Nike store.
There shouldn't be a comma before because since the adverb clause is not starting the sentence.
Start the sentence with an adverb clause.
Steve forgot to study. He may have failed the geometry test.
Becoming the best student in his class, Roger studied hours a night in each subject.