Lesson 350 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to separate a series of three or more short clauses. 

 

Example: 

I am working, he is sleeping, and she is singing. 

(The comma before the conjunction and is optional, but I prefer using it.)

Use no commas in a series when all items are joined by or, and, or nor.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. They are eating we are drinking and you are starving.

2. The music began the lights dimmed and the curtains opened.

3. My sister has left home my brother is at school and my mother is baking bread.

4. Jim fished Jeff hiked and I loafed the whole camp-out.

5. You correct he proofreads but I edit material.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. They are eating, we are drinking, and you are starving.

2. The music began, the lights dimmed, and the curtains opened.

3. My sister has left home, my brother is at school, and my mother is baking bread.

4. Jim fished, Jeff hiked, and I loafed the whole camp-out.

5. You correct, he proofreads, but I edit material.

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Lesson 349 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to separate a series of three or more phrases. 

 

Example: 

He ran down the hall, out the door, and into the yard. 

(The comma before the conjunction and is optional, but I prefer using it.)

Use no commas in a series when all items are joined by or, and, or nor.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. The rain splashed against the house onto the sidewalk and into the street.

2. Through the trees around the cabin and down the valley roared the wind.

3. College is to gain knowledge to make new friends and to prepare for a career.

4. The cat climbed up the tree and out on a limb and finally onto the roof.

5. Munching on an apple listening to a recording and sitting on the couch Martha looked very happy.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The rain splashed against the house, onto the sidewalk, and into the street.

2. Through the trees, around the cabin, and down the valley, roared the wind.

3. College is to gain knowledge, to make new friends, and to prepare for a career.

4. no commas needed

5. Munching on an apple, listening to a recording, and sitting on the couch, Martha looked very happy.

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Lesson 348 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to separate a series of three or more numbers. 

 

Example: 

He called for numbers 3, 6, 9, and 12.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. In the Bingo game the winning numbers were 7 21 35 46 and 72.

2. My combination for my lock is 3 54 and 26.

3. He said that his lucky numbers were 7 11 13 and 99.

4. The numbers 14 27 58 79 and 38 won the lottery.

5. I like mixed greens with numbers of 20 50 and 100 on them.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. In the Bingo game the winning numbers were 7, 21, 35, 46, and 72.

2. My combination for my lock is 3, 54, and 26.

3. He said that his lucky numbers were 7, 11, 13, and 99.

4. The numbers 14, 27, 58, 79, and 38 won the lottery.

5. I like mixed greens with numbers of 20, 50, and 100 on them.

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Lesson 347 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to separate a series of three or more words. 

 

Example: 

I dropped my pencil, papers, and books. 

(The comma before the conjunction and is optional, but I prefer using it.)

Use no commas between two or more words usually thought of as being one item. 

 

Example: 

We ate hamburgers, pork and beans, and potato chips.

Use no commas in a series when all items are joined by or, and, or nor. 

 

Example: 

You dance and sing and play well.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. I have seen many gold silver and copper mines.

2. People in the United States can travel by air rail or water.

3. The girl waved leaned over and fell into the pool.

4. My wife likes a meal of a glass of grape juice a fresh salad and spaghetti and meat balls.

5. At the resort we can hike and swim and ski all we want.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I have seen many gold, silver, and copper mines.

2. People in the United States can travel by air, rail, or water.

3. The girl waved, leaned over, and fell into the pool.

4. My wife likes a meal of a glass of grape juice, a fresh salad, and spaghetti and meat balls. (Spaghetti and meat balls are considered one item.)

5. no commas needed

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Lesson 346 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to separate parts of geographical places. 

 

Example: 

Have you visited St. Louis, Missouri?

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. A neat place we visited was Custer Wyoming.

2. In Cody Wyoming there is an interesting museum.

3. I enjoyed the zoo in San Diego California.

4. We saw many bears in Waterton Alberta Canada.

5. The Black Hills are in South Dakota.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. A neat place we visited was Custer, Wyoming.

2. In Cody, Wyoming there is an interesting museum.

3. I enjoyed the zoo in San Diego, California.

4. We saw many bears in Waterton, Alberta, Canada.

5. no commas needed

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Quiz for Lessons 341 - 345 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Most graciously

2. Dear Madam

3. Do you live at 431 North 500 West West Valley Utah 84098?

4. My birthday party is March 1 1976 at the golf course.

5. Monday February 2 is the day the groundhog looks for its shadow.

6. I lived at 368 Maple Avenue for a week.

7. May 1 was our wedding day.

8. Max Blaser Sr. is their neighbor in Tampa Florida.

9. Did you see Tom Jones Jr. at 430 East Plum Erda Colorado 35096 while on vacation?

10. During August all the leaves turn colors in Springfield Minnesota.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Most graciously,

2. Dear Madam: (a business letter)

3. Do you live at 431 North 500 West, West Valley, Utah 84098?

4. My birthday party is March 1, 1976, at the golf course.

5. Monday, February 2, is the day the groundhog looks for its shadow.

6. no comma needed (only one part)

7. no comma needed (only one part)

8. Max Blaser, Sr., is their neighbor in Tampa, Florida.

9. Did you see Tom Jones, Jr., at 430 East Plum, Erda, Colorado 35096, while on vacation?

10. During August all the leaves turn colors in Springfield, Minnesota.

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Lesson 345 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma after the complimentary close of a friendly or business letter. 

 

Example: Sincerely yours,

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed in these complimentary closings.

1. Very truly yours

2. Affectionately yours

3. Yours lovingly

4. Your best customer

5. Cordially

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Very truly yours,

2. Affectionately yours,

3. Yours lovingly,

4. Your best customer,

5. Cordially,

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Lesson 344 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma after the salutation of a friendly letter. 

 

Example: Dear Fred,

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed in these salutations.

1. Dear Aunt Vi

2. Dear Sir

3. Dear Mother

4. Gentlemen

5. My choicest friend

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Dear Aunt Vi,

2. Dear Sir: (a business letter)

3. Dear Mother,

4. Gentlemen: (a business letter)

5. My choicest friend,

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Lesson 343 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to set off the year in a date if three parts of date are given (month, day, year). Do not use commas if only two parts are given. 

 

Examples: 

I left May 23, 1958, at night. 

I know that July 1776 is an important date.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed in these sentences.

1. Did you know that Thomas Jefferson died on July 4 1826?

2. On December 25 1961 I was in Brazil.

3. Their wedding day was June 24 1954 in Salt Lake City.

4. Where were you in November 1989?

5. On Friday August 14 1997 the accident happened.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Did you know that Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826?

2. On December 25, 1961, I was in Brazil.

3. Their wedding day was June 24, 1954, in Salt Lake City.

4. no commas needed (only two parts)

5. On Friday, August 14, 1997, the accident happened.

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Lesson 342 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma after the parts of an address. (The house number and street name form one part, and state and ZIP code number form one part.) 

 

Example: 

My new address is 1234 North Main, Salt Lake City, Utah 84007.

Place no comma after the last part if it ends the sentence.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed in these sentences.

1. John wrote to me from 462 Beacon Lane Cleveland Ohio 76504.

2. My sister lives at 635 Cherry Street Lexington Kentucky.

3. Ray Alber 876 Elm Drive Detroit Michigan 48300 is the person to contact.

4. Write them at 15 Oak Avenue Limorick Illinois 60614 today.

5. Jim's summer address will be Box 254 Grantsville Iowa 50689.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. John wrote to me from 462 Beacon Lane, Cleveland, Ohio 76504.

2. My sister lives at 635 Cherry Street, Lexington, Kentucky.

3. Ray Alber, 876 Elm Drive, Detroit, Michigan 48300, is the person to contact.

4. Write them at 15 Oak Avenue, Limorick, Illinois 60614, today.

5. Jim's summer address will be Box 254, Grantsville, Iowa 50689.

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Lesson 341 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma or commas to set off the abbreviations Jr., Sr., and Esq.  

 

Example: 

Carl Harris, Jr., is here now.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed in these sentences.

1. I met Count Dracula Sr. the famous ghoul.

2. The letter was sent to Sir Thomas Mason Esq.

3. Did you see Reed Fitzgerald Jr. starring in that television show?

4. Mr. Sam Adams Sr. and Michael Gold Jr. race cars for a living.

5. Andrew Paskett Esq. was featured in the latest magazine issue.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I met Count Dracula, Sr., the famous ghoul.

2. The letter was sent to Sir Thomas Mason, Esq. (There is no comma when Jr., Sr., or Esq. is used at the end of a sentence.)

3. Did you see Reed Fitzgerald, Jr., starring in that television show?

4. Mr. Sam Adams, Sr., and Michael Gold, Jr., race cars for a living.

5. Andrew Paskett, Esq., was featured in the latest magazine issue.

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Quiz for Lessons 336 - 340 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Periods

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Use a period after initials used in names. Examples: E. F. Smith, Helen R. Hunsaker, W. James Swift

Use a period after the abbreviations Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., and St. (Saint) before a name and Jr., Sr., and Esq., after a name. Do not use a period with Miss because it is not an abbreviation.

Special abbreviations or initials need a period. Example: C.O.D. (cash on delivery) (Many abbreviations and acronyms, especially government agencies, now do not use periods and the abbreviations may be found written in several forms. Example: miles per hour = mph, m.p.h., Mph, MPH) For our purposes we will use periods with abbreviations to be consistent.

Use a period with abbreviations used with figures showing time. Examples: A.M., P.M., B.C., and A.D.

Use a period to show decimals and dollars and cents. Examples: This costs $6.99. Two and one half is written 2.5.

Instructions: Put the correct punctuation where needed in the following sentences.

1. Mr and Mrs Rodney C Snow were honored at the dinner

2. Ten and three quarters is 1075 in decimals

3. Did you study the period from 100 B C to A D 200 in your history class

4. I have heard of St Francis of Assisi

5. Add together 825 and 175 in decimals which should equal ten.

6. Miss Claire S Queen and Dr A Z King, Jr , will be married at 10:00 A M

7. Dan P Morgan, Esq , and Ms Luella K Larson knew the famous P T Barnum.

8. The trip cost $33650 (three hundred thirty-six dollars and fifty cents) for gasoline alone.

9. I feel sorry for the B S A organization

10. It seems that they take so much from my check for F I C A

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Mr. and Mrs. Rodney C. Snow were honored at the dinner.

2. Ten and three quarters is 10.75 in decimals.

3. Did you study the period from 100 B.C. to A.D. 200 in your history class?

4. I have heard of St. Francis of Assisi. -or- !

5. Add together 8.25 and 1.75 in decimals which should equal ten.

6. Miss Claire S. Queen and Dr. A. Z. King, Jr., will be married at 10:00 A.M.

7. Dan P. Morgan, Esq. and Ms. Luella K. Larson knew the famous P.T. Barnum.

8. The trip cost $336.50 (three hundred thirty-six dollars and fifty cents) for gasoline alone.

9. I feel sorry for the B.S.A. organization! -or- .

10. It seems that they take so much from my check for F.I.C.A.

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Lesson 340 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Periods

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Use a period to show decimals, dollars, and cents. 

 

Examples: 

This costs $6.99. 

Two and one half is written 2.5.

Instructions: Put periods where needed in the following sentences.

1. In decimals, 225 would mean two and one fourth.

2. That new saddle will cost us $72933. (seven hundred twenty-nine dollars and thirty-three cents)

3. The little girl paid $025 (twenty-five cents) for the sucker, and the boy paid $059 (fifty-nine cents) for the candy bar.

4. In decimals, four and ninety-nine hundredths is written 499.

5. Seven and two thirds is written 767.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. In decimals, 2.25 would mean two and one fourth.

2. That new saddle will cost us $729.33 (seven hundred twenty-nine dollars and thirty-three cents).

3. The little girl paid $0.25 (twenty-five cents) for the sucker, and the boy paid $0.59 (fifty-nine cents) for the candy bar.

4. In decimals, four and ninety-nine hundredths is written 4.99.

5. Seven and two thirds is written 7.67.

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Lesson 339 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Periods

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Use a period with abbreviations used with figures showing time. 

 

Examples: A.M., P.M., B.C., and A.D.

Instructions: Put periods where needed in the following sentences.

1. I was born in A D 1940.

2. Be here at 4:30 A M , or you will not see me until 9:45 P M

3. What happened in A D 1776 that was of great importance?

4. People living in 2000 B C did not enjoy all that we have today.

5. Class starts promptly at 8:00 A M

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I was born in A.D. 1940.

2. Be here at 4:30 A.M., or you will not see me until 9:45 P.M.

3. What happened in A.D. 1776 that was of great importance?

4. People living in 2000 B.C. did not enjoy all that we have today.

5. Class starts promptly at 8:00 A.M.

Note: When a period is used for an abbreviation or some other reason at the end of the sentence, you do not need a second one to end the sentence. The one period does double duty.

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