Commas Part 1: Items in a Series

Commas when sentences have items in a series.

1. Commas Part 1 By Mrs. Burch 8/13/18

2. Goal: I will be able to correctly use commas with items in a series.

3. What is the rule?

4. If a sentence has 3 or more words in a row, use commas. If a sentence only has 2 items in a row, NO comma is used.

5. Examples: Do you want peas , carrots , or corn with your dinner? Notice: If there are 3 items in a row, you need 2 commas.

6. Examples: Do you want peas or carrots with your dinner? Notice: There are only 2 items in a row, so NO comma us used.

7. Example: My favorite dogs are golden retrievers , labradors , beagles , and dachsunds . Note that if there are 4 items in a row, you need 3 commas.

8. Does the following sentence have any mistakes? Pedro wanted pasta vegetables and rolls for dinner. Yes! There are 3 items in a row, so this sentence needs 2 commas.

9. Does the following sentence have any mistakes? Pedro wanted pasta , vegetables , and rolls for dinner. Yes! There are 3 items in a row, so this sentence needs 2 commas.

10. Does the following sentence have any mistakes? Mom bought Twix Snickers M&M’s and Reese’s Pieces for Halloween. Yes! There are 3 items in a row, so this sentence needs 2 commas.

11. Does the following sentence have any mistakes? Mom bought Twix , Snickers , M&M’s , and Reese’s Pieces for Halloween. Yes! There are 4 items in a row, so this sentence needs 3 commas.

12. Does the following sentence have any mistakes? You may write your report about snakes, lizards or tortoises. Yes! There are 4 items in a row, so this sentence needs 3 commas.

13. Does the following sentence have any mistakes? You may write your report about snakes, lizards, or tortoises. No! This sentence is already correct.

14. If a sentence has 3 or more phrases in a row, use commas.

15. Example: Xavier put his hiking books , a flannel shirt , and some extra socks in his backpack. Remember, if there are 3 items in a row, you need 2 commas.

16. Example: I walked on the treadmill , weight trained my biceps and shoulders , and played racquetball at the gym. Remember, if there are 3 items in a row, you need 2 commas.

17. Does the following sentence have any mistakes? Keith had to do his homework eat dinner and take out the trash. No! This sentence is already correct.

18. Does the following sentence have any mistakes? Keith had to do his homework , eat dinner , and take out the trash . Yes! There are 3 items in a row, so this sentence needs 2 commas.

19. Does the following sentence have any mistakes? Pounding rain, and rushing wind will weather rocks. Yes! There are 3 items in a row, so this sentence needs 2 commas.

20. Does the following sentence have any mistakes? Pounding rain and rushing wind will weather rocks. Yes! There are ONLY 2 items in a row, so no comma is needed.

21. Time to take a quiz. Get your paper and privacy barriers ready! (Quiz is on next slide.)

22. Directions: Write the following sentences correctly. 1. I must clean the bathroom kitchen and family room this weekend. 2. We bought our tickets got our popcorn and found our seats.