English Language Arts
Grade 8
15 min
Commas review
Commas review
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify and correctly use commas in compound sentences.
Accurately punctuate introductory phrases and clauses with commas.
Apply commas to separate three or more items in a series.
Distinguish between essential and nonessential clauses and use commas appropriately to set off nonessential information.
Correctly use commas in dates, addresses, and direct address.
Analyze complex sentences to determine all necessary comma placements.
Revise their own and others' writing to ensure accurate and effective comma usage.
Ever wonder why a tiny comma can completely change the meaning of a sentence? 🤔 Let's explore how these powerful punctuation marks bring clarity and structure to your writing!
In this lesson, you'll review and master the essent...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Independent ClauseA group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought; it can stand alone as a sentence.The dog barked loudly.
Dependent ClauseA group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought; it must be attached to an independent clause.Because the dog barked loudly,
Coordinating ConjunctionWords that connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank. Remember FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.She wanted to go, *but* she was too tired.
Introductory ElementA word, phrase, or clause that comes before the main independent clause in a sentence.*After the long meeting,* everyone felt exhausted.
Nonessential ElementA word, phrase, or clause that provides additional information bu...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Commas in a Series
Use commas to separate three or more items in a list.
This rule applies to words, phrases, or clauses. The comma before the final 'and' or 'or' in a series is called the Oxford comma (or serial comma) and is generally preferred for clarity in academic writing.
Commas with Introductory Elements
Use a comma after an introductory phrase or clause that precedes the main independent clause.
This helps separate the introductory information from the core of the sentence, making it easier to read. Short introductory phrases (3 words or less) sometimes omit the comma, but it's always correct to include it.
Commas in Compound Sentences
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) that joins two independent clauses.
This ru...
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Challenging
Based on the tutorial's worked examples, combine the following ideas into one correctly punctuated, complex sentence: 'The city council proposed a new law. The law which many citizens opposed was controversial. It was debated for weeks.'
A.The city council proposed a new law, the law, which many citizens opposed, was controversial and it was debated for weeks.
B.The city council proposed a new law which many citizens opposed, it was controversial and debated for weeks.
C.The city council proposed a new, controversial law, which many citizens opposed, and it was debated for weeks.
D.The city council proposed a new law, which many citizens opposed, it was controversial, and it was debated for weeks.
Challenging
Analyze this sentence: 'Unless we analyze the sources, our argument, which relies on strong evidence, will fail, and our grade will suffer.' Which statement provides the most accurate analysis of the comma usage?
A.comma is correctly used after the introductory dependent clause, to set off a nonessential clause, and to join two independent clauses.
B.comma is used incorrectly after 'sources' but correctly for the nonessential clause and the compound sentence.
C.All commas are used to separate items in a complex series.
D.The commas around 'which relies on strong evidence' are unnecessary because the clause is essential to the sentence's meaning.
Challenging
Evaluate the following sentences and select the one that contains NO comma errors (no missing commas and no unnecessary commas).
A.My oldest cousin, a software engineer is moving to Seattle, Washington, and I plan to visit him there.
B.Although he is nervous about the move, my oldest cousin, a software engineer, is moving to Seattle, Washington, for a new job.
C.My oldest cousin, a software engineer, is moving to Seattle Washington for a new job but he is nervous.
D.Because he is a software engineer, my oldest cousin is moving to Seattle, Washington and he is nervous about the move.
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