Writing Lessons, Quick and Easy! Learn about the different ways to use a comma. For Comma Usage Part 2, navigate to the following link:

1. Texas A&M International University
Writing Center
Dr. Billy F. Cowart Hall 203
www.tamiu.edu/uc/writingcenter
writingcenter@tamiu.edu
956.326.2884

2.  

3. Examples
We’re going to learn to cut and paste kids.
We’re going to learn to cut and paste, kids.
I like cooking my family and my pets.
I like cooking, my family, and my pets.
While a comma may seem to be just a “tiny” punctuation mark, its misuse can
lead to awkward sentences and unintended messages.
* * *
The following slides will provides some ways
that commas can be used to create effective
sentences and improve sentence variety.
* * *

4.  Independent clause = subject + verb (i.e. a complete
sentence)
 Coordinating conjunctions (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet,
So) separate independent clauses with a comma.
Examples
I want to know my grades, but I don’t want to cry.
I want to know my grades but don’t want to cry.

5.  A subordinating conjunction
begins a subordinate clause,
which has a subject and a verb
but is NOT an independent
clause.
 Commas go after subordinate
clauses that precede
independent clauses (subject +
verb).
Common subordinating
conjunctions
Example:
When I cleaned out my locker, I was surprised at the amount of dust
that had gathered.
I was surprised at the amount of dust that had gathered when I
cleaned out my locker.
o After
o Before
o While
o When
o Since
o Because
o Although
o As
o If

6.  Commas separate three
or more items in a list.
We ate rice, beans,
chicken, and salad.
 The final comma in the
list is sometimes
optional (Oxford
Comma), but not using it
can be “hazardous.”

7.  Use a comma between two or
more consecutive adjectives
describing the same noun.
Mr. Hyde is such a dirty,
dastardly villain.
We found ourselves in a small,
dark, cold room.

8.  Commas are used to set off the person or publication
being quoted.
 Dialogue is also set off with commas.
Incorrect
“Teaching will be my love” she said
“once I step into the classroom.”
Jason screamed “I don’t want to go
to school!”
“Enrollment has increased by a
considerable amount” according to
the Registrar’s annual report.
Correct
“Teaching will be my love” she said
“once I step into the classroom.”
Jason screamed “I don’t want to go to
school!”
“Enrollment has increased by a
considerable amount” according to the
Registrar’s annual report.

9. Commas are used to
separate items in a date or
address.
Examples
I was born on June 1, 1989.
I graduated from TAMIU in
Laredo, Texas, USA.
Commas are also used to
separate dates or addresses
from the rest of the
sentence.
Example
Before I start working on
July 24, 2015, I must
complete my online
training.

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