Series
We bought apples bananas and oranges.
Where do the commas go?
We bought apples, bananas, and oranges.
We watched the bright colorful fireworks light up the night sky.
Insert a comma or correct?
comma after bright
List the FANBOYS
for and nor but or yet so
After the game, we went out for pizza.
Is this correct? If not, fix.
correct
Do we use commas in restrictive (essential) or nonrestrictive (nonessential) clauses?
NONRESTRICTIVE OR NONESSENTIAL
I went to the market picked up my dry cleaning and then went home.
She ran into the house shut the door and locked it.
where do the commas go?
I went to the market, picked up my dry cleaning, and then went home.
She ran into the house, shut the door, and locked it.
The cold, refreshing water was exactly what I needed after the hike.
Remove comma or correct?
Correct
The teacher scolded the boy for being late and sent him to the office.
The teacher scolded the boy for being late, and sent him to the office.
Which is correct?
FIRST ONE
The teacher scolded the boy for being late and sent him to the office.
In the morning I like to drink coffee.
Yes I will help you with your project.
FIX.
In the morning COMMA I like to drink coffee.
Yes COMMA I will help you with your project.
Students who study regularly tend to do better on tests.
Is this an example of essential (restrictive) or nonessential (nonrestrictive) clause?
essential (restrictive)
Ally enjoys competing in races traveling around the world and eating unique cuisine.
Sherry Steven and Dez decided to meet for pizza after classes.
I ate a sandwich Jessica drank a smoothie and Felix munched on a granola bar.
Insert commas where they belong
Ally enjoys competing in races, traveling around the world, and eating unique cuisine.
Sherry, Steven, and Dez decided to meet for pizza after classes.
I ate a sandwich, Jessica drank a smoothie, and Felix munched on a granola bar.
They adopted a playful energetic puppy from the animal shelter.
He wore a sharp tailored suit to the interview.
Correct or insert commas IN BOTH sentences!
They adopted a playful COMMA energetic puppy from the animal shelter.
He wore a sharp COMMA tailored suit to the interview.
I could not lift the boulder, nor could I budge it.
I could not lift the boulder nor budge it.
I could not lift the boulder nor could I budge it.
I could not lift the boulder, nor budge it.
Which is(are) correct?
FIRST TWO
I could not lift the boulder, nor could I budge it.
I could not lift the boulder nor budge it.
My brother on the other hand prefers soccer.
The meeting as you might have guessed was canceled.
The book which was published last year is already a bestseller.
My brother COMMA, on the other hand COMMA, prefers soccer.
The meeting COMMA, as you might have guessed COMMA, was canceled.
The book COMMA, which was published last year COMMA, is already a bestseller.
My dog, who loves to chase squirrels, ran across the yard.
Is this an example of essential (restrictive) or nonessential (nonrestrictive) clause?
nonessential (nonrestrictive)
Our favorite places to travel are Miami Los Angeles and New York.
Eating sleeping relaxing and exercising are some of our favorite things to do there.
William Anna and Delaney walked along the streets and enjoyed the sites.
Miami is beautiful warm and diverse.
Our favorite places to travel are Miami, Los Angeles, and New York.
Eating, sleeping, relaxing, and exercising are some of our favorite things to do there.
William, Anna, and Delaney walked along the streets and enjoyed the sites.
Miami is beautiful, warm, and diverse.
She was a smart Muslim woman.
She was a smart, beautiful woman.
An attractive American woman winked at me.
FIX OR CORRECT AND EXPLAIN.
Correct because you cannot reverse or add and
Correct because you can add and or reverse the adjectives
correct because you cannot reverse or add and
He needed to go home, for he was feeling sick.
He went home for a nap.
I went to the store and bought some apples.
I went to the store, and I bought some apples.
Which of these are incorrect?
NONE OF THEM ARE!
Before the bell rings students need to be in their seats.
In the middle of the night we heard a strange sound.
My teacher I believe is planning a surprise quiz.
The car which was parked illegally was towed.
FIX.
Before the bell rings COMMA students need to be in their seats.
In the middle of the night COMMA we heard a strange sound.
My teacher COMMA I believe COMMA is planning a surprise quiz.
The car COMMA which was parked illegally COMMA was towed.
Explain the rule for essential/nonessential elements in a sentence.
If the clause answers “Which one?” → essential → no commas
If the clause answers “Extra info?” → nonessential → commas
My new favorite book is a collection of short stories, including "The Lottery," "The Fall of the House of Usher," and "A Good Man Is Hard to Find".
For the picnic, we are packing macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, and ham and cheese sandwiches.
The menu for the class picnic will feature green beans, stewed apples, macaroni and cheese, and okra and tomatoes.
Riding my bike, throwing my ball and swimming in my pool are activities that I enjoy.
Are these correct ? If not, fix.
Correct
Correct
Correct
Riding my bike, throwing my ball COMMA and swimming in my pool are activities that I enjoy.
What are the two rules for deciding whether you need to use a comma between two or more adjectives?
Can you switch the order of the adjectives?
Can you use AND between them?
Explain the rule for using commas with FANBOYS.
The main rule is to use a comma before a FANBOYS only when it connects two complete and independent clauses.
After a long day at school my friend on the other hand wanted to keep studying.
Yes, if you really want to know the answer, it’s in the back of the book.
In the morning, when it was still dark, we left for the airport.
By Tuesday the project which we started last month should be complete.
Unfortunately my car which is brand new won’t start.
After a long day at school COMMA my friend COMMA on the other hand COMMA wanted to keep studying.
CORRECT
CORRECT
By Tuesday COMMA the project COMMA which we started last month COMMA should be complete.
Unfortunately COMMA my car COMMA which is brand new COMMA won’t start.
The students who failed the test must retake it.
The students, who failed the test, must retake it.
Assuming that both of these are correct, explain how the commas change the meaning!
The students who failed the test must retake it.
(essential → no commas - Just the students who failed will retake the test)
The students, who failed the test, must retake it.
(nonessential → all of them failed, commas change the meaning!)