T3: Daily Grammar Tool Sharpening
  • Grade 9
    • Unit 1: Vocabulary >
      • #1 Synonyms, Antonyms, Homonyms
      • #2 Prefixes, Roots and Suffixes
      • #3 Contractions
      • #4 Compound Words
      • #5 Connotation and Denotation
      • #6 Idioms
    • Unit 2: Parts of Speech >
      • Parts of Speech Grammar Review Game
    • Unit 3: Sentences >
      • Subjects and Predicates
      • Direct Objects
      • Indirect Objects
      • Subject Complements
      • Types of Sentences
      • Independent and Subordinate Clauses
      • #9 Commonly Confused Words
      • Sentence Fragments
      • Run-On Sentences
      • Comma Splice Errors
    • Unit 4: Punctuation >
      • Capitalization
      • End Punctuation
      • Commas
      • Quotation Marks
      • Punctuating Dialogue
      • Apostrophes
      • Dashes
      • Hyphens
      • Semicolons
      • Colons
      • Parentheses
      • Elipsis Points
  • Grade 10
    • Unit 1: Vocabulary >
      • #1 Greek and Latin Word Origins
      • #2 Prefixes & Suffixes
      • #3 Homophones
      • #4 Idioms
      • #5 Colloquialisms and Slang
      • #6 Connotation and Denotation
      • #7 Figurative Language
      • Lesson #8 Symbols
    • Unit 2: Parts of Speech >
      • Nouns
      • SINGULAR AND PLURAL NOUNS
      • Verbs
      • Basic Verb Tenses
      • Subject-Verb Agreement
      • Active and Passive Voice
      • Pronouns and Antecedents
      • Lesson 8: Personal Pronouns
      • Lesson #9: Relative and Reflexive Pronouns
      • Lesson #10: Using Who/Whom
      • Lesson 11: Adjectives
      • Lesson 12: Comparing with Adjectives
      • Lesson 13: Adverbs
      • Lesson 14: Comparing with Adverbs
    • Unit 3: Sentences >
      • # 11 Identifying Types of Sentences
      • Natural Order and Inverted Order Sentences
      • Sentence Fragments
      • Run-On Sentences and Comma Splice Errors
    • Unit 4: Punctuation >
      • #1 Using Capital Letters
      • #2 Using End Punctuation
      • #3 Commas
      • #4 Punctuating Quotations
      • #5 Quotation Marks, Italics, and Underlining
      • #6 Apostrophes
      • #7 Dashes and Parentheses
      • #8 Hyphens
      • # 9 Semicolons and Colons
  • Grade 11
    • Unit 1: Vocabulary >
      • #1 Origins
      • #2 Morphemes
      • #3 Standard and Non-Standard English
      • #4 Canadian Spelling
      • #5 Denotation & Connotation
      • #6 Figurative Language
      • #7 Academic and Literary Vocabulary
      • #8 Clichés, Jargon, and Redundant Language
      • #9 Commonly Confused Words
    • Unit 2 >
      • Sentence Fragments
      • Run-On Sentences & Comma Splice Errors
    • Unit 3 >
      • Types of Sentences
    • Unit 4: Punctuation >
      • #1 Commas
      • #2 Punctuating Quotations
      • #3 Punctuating Titles
      • #4 Apostrophes
      • #5 Dashes and Parentheses
      • #6 Hyphens
      • #7 Semicolons & Colons
  • Grade 12
    • Unit 1: VOCABULARY >
      • Word Origins
      • Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes
      • Standard and Non-Standard English
      • Canadian Spelling
      • Denotation and Connotation
      • Figurative Language
      • Clichés
      • Redundant Language
      • Commonly Confused Words
    • Unit 2: Parts of Speech >
      • Nouns
      • Verbs
      • Tenses
      • Verbals
      • Adjectives and Adverbs
      • Prepositions
      • Modifiers
      • Parallel Structure
    • Unit 3: Sentences >
      • Subject and Predicates >
        • Continued Simple Subjects and Predicates
        • Con't Compound Subjects and Predicates
      • Direct Objects
      • Indirect Objects
      • Subject Complement
      • Phrases and Clauses
      • Independent and Subordinate Clauses
      • Sentence Structure
      • Co-ordination and Subordination
      • Restrictive and Non-Restrictive Elements
      • Sentence Variety
      • Sentence Fragments
      • Run-on Sentences and Comma Splice Errors
    • Unit 4: Punctuation >
      • Comma
      • Semicolons and Colons
      • Parentheses and Dashes
      • Punctuating Quotations
      • Ellipses AND Square Brackets
      • Punctuating Titles
      • Apostrophes
      • Hyphens
  • Workplace/OLC
    • Unit 1: Vocabulary >
      • Lesson 1: Root Words
      • Lesson 2: Prefixes/Suffixes
      • Lesson 3: Synonyms/Antonyms
      • Lesson 4: Slang and Jargon
      • Lesson 5: Standard English
      • Lesson 6: Formal or Informal Language?
      • Lesson 7: Similes
      • Lesson 8: Metaphors
      • Lesson 9: Personification
      • Lesson 10: Borrowed Words
    • Unit 2 : Spelling, Capitalization, Punctuation >
      • Lesson 1:Spelling
      • Lesson 2: End Punctuation
      • Lesson 3: Commas
      • Lesson 4: Colons and Semi Colons

Commas

Learning Goals
Understand the correct uses of the comma.
Apply this understanding to own writing.
Commas are the most INCORRECTLY overused punctuation. There are specific uses for the comma and these uses cannot be described under the umbrella definiton of "for breaks" - it's a little more complicated than that. The following is a list of the ONLY ways commas can be used:

 - To separate three or more items in a series.
        Example: We were treated to eggs, ham, pancakes, and juice for breakfast.

- Before the conjunction in a compound (2 independent clauses) sentence. 
    Example: I bought an ipod, and we listened to rock music all day.

- Between clauses in complex (1 or more independent & 1 subordinate clause) sentences if the subordinate clause comes first.
    Example: While I unload the dishwasher, you make breakfast.

- To set off non-essential information, including non-restrictive elelments:
    Example: My grandparents, who were from Italy, emigrated in 1947.
                 Of course, I will want a second opinion.

- Between the day and the year, and between a city and a province, state, or country. Note that a comma is also needed after the year.
    Example: I was born on October 15, 1986, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

- To set off a direct quotation. However, do not use a comma to set off an indirect quotation.
    Example: The minister promised, "I will not raise taxes."
    No comma: The ministed promised he would not raise taxes.

Activity 1: Let's Get Real
Discussion: What mistakes do you make with the comma? Where do you need the most help in your own writing after having considerd the above rules.

Activity 2: Practice 
Write the following sentences in your notebooks, adding commas in the appropriate places:

1. If I told you all the thing I have seen in my life you would probably not believe me.

2. The driving instruction who had nerves of steel looked pale after my first road lesson.

3. Jumbo a famous circus elephant died on September 15 1885 near St. Thomas Ontario.

4. When the scandal broke Kathleen predicted that it would bring down the city council.

Extra Study Help:
Try your luck on the following comma quiz http://www.ghc.edu/faculty/winsor/grammar/unit4/u4quiz.htm

Sources:
"Commas are a matter of life or death! A story from Professor Puppet - YouTube ." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. . N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaaCKqddcJs&feature=related>.
Language Power I. Toronto: Gage, 2003. Print.
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