A series is a list of 3 or more items, the last two of which are joined by and, or, or nor. The quiz and worksheet help you see how much you know about rules and examples of using commas in a series. Imagine that you text a shopping list to your roommate charlie, whos at the store shopping for your birthday party. There are a few exceptions that require you to use the oxford comma in a list, but they are pretty rare. Aug 21, 2019 a comma is a punctuation mark that separates elements and ideas within a sentence. Seventh grade lesson commas in a series betterlesson. Patti and her friends are debating about the serial comma the comma that comes before the final conjunction in a list. This comma precedes the final item in a list or series, before the word and or or. Commas provide clarity, particularly in sentences that contain several different elements.
To avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more. In fact, the comma is one of the most important and commonly used types of punctuation. Amongst editors this final comma in a list is known as the oxford comma. This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of how to use commas in a series. The oxford comma and when commas are used in a series are topics on the quiz.
For each of the following, choose the sentence with the correct comma placement. Do not use a comma to separate only two items in a series. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. See more ideas about commas in a series, teaching language arts and 1st grade writing. According to the website box office mojo, the topgrossing movies of all time in the united states are currently avatar, titanic, and the dark knight.
A comma separates elements in a sentence, such as items in a list or series, but it also shows that those elements are connected to each other within. A conjunction goes between the last two items of the series. Combining two strong clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction. The oxford comma got its name because editors at the oxford press encourage. The two most commonly seen in lists are and and or.
Lists of three or more words, phrases, and clauses require commas between each item. Also, dont use commas to separate other descriptions from words that indicate number or amount many, more, few, less, and so forth. Commas in a series worksheet teachers pay teachers. Without the serial comma, the individual series items are difficult to identify. Whether to use the serial comma is a style issue, which is why patti and her. The last item in a list is usually preceded by a conjunction. In english you can use series commas when you list items. Commas can be tricky, but they dont have to trip you up. By the way, this rule only applies to lists of three or more items. In that example, do the verbs have to match for proper grammar. Created with snap created with snap created with snap. There is a ferocious grammatical debate over whether a comma should go before the final conjunction in a series.
One use of the comma is to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a list or series. We are going waterskiing, swimming, and snorkeling. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series. In a list with three or more elements, use commas to separate each element of the series. Remember that a conjunction is a word that joins two words, phrases, or sentences. It is time for me to collect your papers, to read them, and to comment on your work.
In honor of the secretary, today we are including our article about commas in a series of three or more items that we first published on january 17, 2007. When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughter in law in the above example, it is known as the oxford comma. However, you will find that in english there are many other ways to use the comma to add to the meaning of a sentence or to emphasise an item, point, or meaning. Our rule 1 under commas applies to your other examples. A comma is placed right before the conjunction in this type of complex sentence. The comma is the most common mark of punctuationand the most commonly misused. The conjunction and features in both examples above. Dont switch back and forth in the same document between using the oxford comma and not using it. With the exception of newspapers, most publications use the serial comma, because it helps writers. Highbrow publications in one corner and, in the comma hating corner, newspapers and most of my friends. Three common scenarios when a semicolon would be used are these.
Comma rules, when to use commas in english 7 e s l. It is a piece of punctuation that has many many functions. However, i will often use a sentence from a text we recently read and follow the same format. Third grade lesson commas in a series with the witches. The lack of a serial comma implies that orphans in instagram are going to receive christmas cheer, all thanks to you. Perhaps no mark of punctuation ruffles feathers more than the serial comma also called series comma, oxford comma, and harvard comma. When the last comma in a series comes before and or or after daughterinlaw in the above example, it is known as the oxford comma. When making a list, commas are the most common way to separate one list item from the next. The director, the assistant chief, and the chairperson held a confidential meeting. The following are simple examples that use serial commas. Commas in a series, commas in a list, and commas in the date worksheet pack. Newspapers and magazines do not generally use this rule as print space is too valuable to use on what might be considered extraneous punctuation.
Sentence imitation begins with selecting a mentor sentence from a piece of. Peppa pig official channel peppa pigs best salad ever duration. Commas are punctuation marks with a variety of uses. I am interested in things like going to this place, going to that place, eating food, and other things. She saddled her horse, hopped on, and rode off into the sunset. Today paige and i are going to teach you all about your new best friend, the comma. A comma separates elements in a sentence, such as items in a list or series, but it also shows that those elements are connected to each other within the same sentence. Often, the appositive provides additional information about the noun or helps to distinguish it in some way. The series is connected by and, or, or nor before the last item.
Serial commas and serial semicolons the mla style center. Give your child the extra practice she needs with this punctuation worksheet. Otherwise, the intended meaning of the sentence may not be clear. In english language punctuation, a serial comma, or series comma also called an oxford comma or harvard comma, is a comma placed immediately before the coordinating conjunction usually and or or in a series of three or more terms. I showed the first sentence that students were to notice from the commas in a series power point screen 2. Arranging and concluding a series in an unenumerated series, place the longest element last. A serial comma simply means that a comma will separate each element in a series of three or more, even before the coordinating conjunctions and and before or. A series includes 3 or more items of the same type words or groups of words. I can dribble a basketball, hit a baseball with a bat, and even kick a soccer ball into a net. See more ideas about commas in a series, 4th grade writing and grammar and punctuation. The important things to remember about using commas in series are these. Before fists start flying, let me say that, in my experience, theres a clear divide between two camps regarding use of a comma before the conjunction in a series of three or more items. This punctuation rule is also followed for parallel construction in a series. For example, a list of three countries might be punctuated either as france, italy and spain without the serial comma or france, italy, and spain with the.
Here, we offer a brief, basic guide to using commas correctly. What i learned in university writing class was that the entire series has to have verbs that match. My favorite sports are soccer, basketball, baseball, and tennis. Sep 02, 2007 further, as rule 1 states, to avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more. These examples were taken from everyday editing by jeff anderson. With the exception of newspapers, most publications use the. More descriptive words that you shouldnt separate from other descriptions or from the words that they describe include other. Do not place commas between two items separated by and or between three items separated from one another by ands. Always use commas to separate the elements of a series of three or more. For example, a list of three countries might be punctuated either as france, italy and spain without the.
A comma is never used as an end mark, and it is read with a shorter pause than an end mark. Using examples from the novel where the red fern grows, students will study commas, conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections. The final two items in the list are usually separated by and or or, which should be preceeded by a comma. Commas before and in a series grammar and punctuation. School is still in session for another nine weeks, so you better try to learn all you can. My estate goes to my husband, son, daughterinlaw, and nephew.
Imagine that you text a shopping list to your roommate. Correct the bold part of the sentence by adding any missing commas. In theory, this sentence could be interpreted exactly as you did, with the series of three being his wife, leena, and three sons. The pet store has cats, dogs, hamsters, fish, and turtles. Using commas in lists when there are two items in a list, there is no need to separate the list items with a comma. Commas in a series separate three or more items such as words, phrases, or clauses. When necessary, commas go before and, but you need to know when they should go together. Jun 15, 2017 serial commas and serial semicolons by erika suffern serial commas. They will learn to locate them in sentences and learn their functions. In her will, the woman left jewelry, coins, stocks and bonds, but no cash. Often, two independent clauses can be joined with a conjunction, such as and, but, or, so, yet, or any other conjunction. Semicolons are also used in a sentence when something stronger than a comma is needed.
Although we are often taught that commas are used to help us add breathing spaces to sentences they are, in fact, more accurately used to organise blocks of thought or logical groupings. When items in a series have been separated with commas, but the sentence needs an additional comma after the series or to separate items in a series when any of the items already have commas. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series. An example of using commas in a series correctly the best way to use. One example illustrated secretary pompeos preference for the use of the oxford comma.
This kam consists of breadth, depth, and application. I would like to order a salad, a sandwich, and dessert. Commas are used to separate a sentences elements, to connect independent clauses, to avoid confusion, and much more. In his time magazine essay, in praise of the humble comma, author and essayist pico iyer compared the punctuation mark to a flashing yellow light that asks us only to slow down. Find out where to place a comma within a list with this bitesize ks1 and ks2 explainer. Be sure never to add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself or to use commas with noncoordinate adjectives. When it comes to using commas, the word series takes on a different meaning. Commas to separate items in a series use commas to separate more than two items or phrases in a series. When you list more than two items, you separate them as follows. The comma is an extremely powerful piece of punctuation, can do a whole bunch of stuff.
If the sentence is already correct, dont add any commas. In american english usage, many writers and editors feel that a comma should precede and with three or more items in a series example. How to separate a list of descriptions with commas dummies. Remember to place a comma before the coordinating conjunction joining the last two elements of the series. In british usage, there is no comma before the conjunction such as and or or before the last item in the series. Always use commas to separate the elements of a series of three or more things, particularly the last two. Here are some examples of correctly using the serial comma. An effective way to cultivate meaning within a sentence structure is to practice sentence imitating. Verbs in a list separated by commas english language. This pack includes ten worksheets to reinforce the first grade common core standards for comma usage.
Most newspapers and magazines drop the oxford comma in a simple series, apparently. Practice using commas in a series with this grammar quiz. To separate lines in an address when you are writing it as a sentence. Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun.
In the examples above, the oxford comma is the comma between eat breakfast and and rush out the door. You need to get out your pencil, paper, and textbook. Commas punctuation academic guides at walden university. Commas are used to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series. Almost all sentences that arent a single independent clause have commas. The wartime rations included cabbage, turnips, and bread. We had softboiled eggs, tomato juice, and dry wheat toast for breakfast. Included 1page activity practicing the commas in a series. In addition, items in a series can be short sentences joined with commas and and. Numbers arent separated from other descriptions or from the words that they describe. To enter the giveaway, all you need to do is find instagram on a map. Serial commas and serial semicolons by erika suffern serial commas.
This means that when three or more items are being listed in a sentence, a comma goes between each item in the list. The oxford comma is the comma between the last two elements in a series. An appositive is a word or phrase that refers to the same thing as another noun in the same sentence. Commas in a series english grammar 101 online grammar.