Practice for the AHSGE
Like all other punctuation marks, a comma isused to avoid confusion in a sentence.
When readers see a comma, they know thereis a slight pause, and they can tell howparticular words or phrases relate to otherparts of the sentence.
Ex: Will you call Mary, Alice, Lee, and Jason,or should I?
Will you call Mary Alice, Lee, and Jason orshould I?
If you have a series of items, use a comma toseparate the items.
The new convertible 2001 Ford and Chevypickup were involved in a wreck.
How many vehicles were involved?
The new convertible, 2001 Ford, and Chevypickup…
Place a comma before a coordinatingconjunctions (and, but, or, nor, yet, or for)that joins two main clauses.
Ex: Today we visited the battlefield atGettysburg, and tomorrow we will drive toAntietam.
You may omit the comma between very shortmain clauses that are connected by acoordinating conjunction, unless the commais needed for clarity.
Ex:Terrance opened the window and a birdflew in.
Ex: Hank petted the dog and the cat meowed.
Workbook Page 251
Use commas to separate three or morewords, phrases, or clauses in a series.
Ex: Snakes, lizards, and crocodiles are allreptiles.
No commas are necessary when all of theitems are connected by conjunctions.
Ex: Celia has a boa constrictor and an iguanaand a chameleon.
If you’re using and, or, nor do not usecommas.
The flag is red and white and blue.
The flag might be red or white or blue.
The flag is neither red nor white nor blue.
Nouns that are used in pairs are usuallyconsidered single units and should not beseparated by commas. If these pairs appearwith other nouns then they should be set offfrom the other items.
(salt and pepper, thunder and lightning, redbeans and rice, peanut butter and jelly,macaroni and cheese)
Place a comma between a coordinatingadjective that precede a noun. To tell whetheradjectives are coordinate, try to reverse theirorder or put the word and between them.
The short, dark-haired, handsome hero savedthe day.
I tore off a piece of fragrant, crusty Frenchbread.
Workbook page253
If a quoted sentence is interrupted by wordssuch as he said or she replied, use commas inthis way:
“For this contest,” he said, “ you need threepencils and two pieces of paper.”
Use commas to set off information that is nonessential to the meaning of the sentence.These phrases can be removed withoutchanging the meaning of the sentence.
Garret, wearing a necktie for the occasion,accepted the award.
Zora Neal Hurston, who was born around1901, is a well-known writer.
The handsome man over there, the only onewho works in the deli department of the localsupermarket, has black hair and brown eyes.
If you can take out the part in question (thepart you’re questioning for commas) and itstill makes sense, then you should usecommas.
The only man who works in the delidepartment of the local supermarket wasarrested for stealing four apples.
Workbook page 255
Commas are used after introductory wordssuch as exclamation, common expressions,and names used in direct address that are notnecessary for the meaning of the sentence.
Why, don’t you look nice tonight!
Kayla, please help your brother find histricycle.
Call me back at your convenience, if youplease.
Use commas to set off interjections (oh, well),parenthetical expressions on the contrary, infact, by the way), and conjunctive adverbs(however, moreover, consequently).
Yes, I’d like to try riding a camel.
This train depot, by the way, is creepy.
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When writing out an address (not on separatelines), use commas as shown below.
Please remit payment to Abby Householder,42 Old Highway 41 North, Fairhope, AL36526.
Put a comma after the day of the week (ifyou’ve stated it), the day of the month, andthe year (if the sentence continues):
I'll be seeing you on Friday, February 23,2001, at seven o’clock.
If a person’s title or degree follows his or hername, put commas around it:
Please call Robert House, Ph.D., at yourconvenience.
The deposition was given by Edward Breaux,M.D.
