Name: ________________________________
Comma Rules
PAGE 1: The cat jumped, meowed, and rolled over. (series of verbs)
COMMA IN A SERIES
PAGE 2: The siren blared, but it was only a test.
COMMA IN A COMPOUND SENTENCE
PAGE 3: It is going to be a long, hot summer.
EQUAL ADJECTIVES
PAGE 4: Dad, this is my math teacher.
DIRECT ADDRESS
PAGE 5: No, I do not like onions.
INTRODUCTORY WORD/PHRASE
PAGE 6: Today is February 24, 2020.
DATES/ADDRESSES She was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
PAGE 7: Students can use this scavenger hunt to search for these
COMMA SCAVENGER HUNT particular comma rules in their current book.
Comma in a Series
Rule:
Use a comma after each item in a series except the last. A series consists of t hree or more items of the
same kind, written one after the other in a sentence. Items may be verbs, nouns, modifiers, phrases or
other parts of a sentence.
Examples:
The cat jumped, meowed, and rolled over. (series of verbs)
Joan, Savannah, and Randy went home. (series of nouns)
Practice
Add commas where they are needed in the following sentences.
1. The students saw monkeys bears and lions at the zoo.
2. Spaghetti tacos and cake are my favorite foods.
3. Her favorite teachers are Mr. Smith Mrs. Olson and Ms. Rogers.
4. My brother is tall athletic and silly.
5. He dumped the sugar in the bowl stirred the ingredients and turned on the oven.
More Practice
omma in a series rule.
Write your own sentences using the c
1.
2.
3.
1
Comma in compound sentences
Rule:
Use a comma b efore the conjunction that joins two sentences in a compound sentence. A compound
sentence is a sentence in which two independent sentences are joined together with a conjunction.
Examples:
The siren blared, but it was only a test.
Carla studied for the test, and she passed.
Practice
Add commas where they are needed in the following sentences.
1. The house is expensive but it is small.
2. I want the new iPhone but I do not have enough money.
3. She was really cold so she put on a jacket.
4. He could go out for track or he could stay home and play video games.
5. I am on a diet yet I want dessert.
More Practice
omma in compound sentences rule.
Write your own sentences using the c
1.
2.
3.
2
Equal adjectives
Rule:
When each of two adjectives modifies the same noun, put a comma between them. As a test, reverse
the adjectives - if it still makes sense, then the adjectives are called equal adjectives.
Examples:
It is going to be a long, hot summer.
It was a cold, gloomy day.
Practice
Highlight adjectives. In your head reverse their order - still makes sense? Put a comma between them.
Add commas where they are needed in the following sentences. Two sentences DO NOT need a comma.
1. She was an angry bitter woman.
2. He was a loud mad man.
3. The small tan building is on the corner.
4. We need a challenging math test.
5. His new sleek car makes him happy.
6. Her sarcastic sense of humor is distracting.
7. His high paying exciting job has changed his life.
8. My grandpa still drives the old blue O
ldsmobile.
9. I bought a fuzzy red coat.
10. I enjoy strong hot coffee.
More Practice
Write your own sentences using the equal adjectives comma rule.
1.
2.
3.
3
Direct address
Rule:
Use commas to set off all nouns used in a direct address. A noun used in direct address is the name or
title of a person being spoken to.
Examples:
Dad, this is my math teacher.
Come in, Steve, and close the door.
Practice
Add commas where they are needed in the following sentences.
1. Have you seen my book Ms. Felmlee?
2. Let’s eat Grandpa.
3. Children please stop jumping on the bed.
4. Don’t you want to go to the store Bob?
5. Tell me Carrie how do you like your new school?
More Practice
Write your own sentences using the direct address comma rule.
1.
2.
3.
4
INtroductory phrases
Rule:
Use a comma after an introductory word or phrase to separate it from the rest of the sentence.
Examples:
No, I do not like onions.
Unfortunately, the track meet was cancelled.
Practice
Add commas where they are needed in the following sentences.
1. Yes we can take your order.
2. Usually we do not do anything for Spring Break.
3. Oh that is a colorful sweatshirt.
4. By the way your fly is down.
5. Smiling widely Jacob showed us his new fishing pole.
More Practice
Write your own sentences using the introductory phrase comma rule.
1.
2.
3.
5
Dates/addresses
Rule:
Use a comma between the day of the month and the year. If no day of the month is given, the comma is
unnecessary. Use a comma between the city and state. There is no comma used before ZIP codes.
Examples:
Today is February 24, 2020.
February 2020 was a very cold month.
She was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
His house is in Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54703.
Practice
Add commas where they are needed in the following sentences.
1. We’re leaving for vacation on Friday March 6.
2. Please write to 1578 Main Street Madison Wisconsin.
3. I have always wanted to live in Orlando Florida.
4. I think his address is 3579 South Lane Dallas Texas 75001
More Practice
Write your own sentences using the dates/address comma rule.
1.
2.
3.
6
Comma Hunt
Book:___________________________________________
Comma Rule Rule Page # Sentence
Comma in a Series
Comma in a
Compound Sentence
Equal Adjectives
Direct Address
Introductory Phrases
Dates/Addresses
7
Comma in a Series
The students saw monkeys, bears, and lions at the zoo.
Spaghetti, tacos, and cake are my favorite foods.
Her favorite teachers are Mr. Smith, Mrs. Olson, and Ms. Rogers.
My brother is tall, athletic and silly.
He dumped the sugar in the bowl, stirred the ingredients, and turned on the oven.
Comma in a compound sentence
The house is expensive, but it is small.
I want the new iPhone, but I do not have enough money.
She was really cold, so she put on a jacket.
He could go out for track, or he could stay home and play video games.
I am on a diet, yet I want dessert.
Equal adjectives
She was an angry, bitter woman.
He was a loud, mad man.
The small, tan building is on the corner.
We need a challenging math test. No Comma Needed
His new, sleek car makes him happy.
Her sarcastic sense of humor is distracting. No Comma Needed
His high paying, exciting job has changed his life.
My grandpa still drives the old, blue O
ldsmobile.
I bought a fuzzy, red coat.
I enjoy strong, hot coffee.
Direct address
Have you seen my book, Ms. Felmlee?
Let’s eat, Grandpa.
Children, please stop jumping on the bed.
Don’t you want to go to the store, Bob?
Tell me, Carrie, how do you like your new school?
Introductory word/phrase
Yes, we can take your order.
Usually, we do not do anything for Spring Break.
Oh, that is a colorful sweatshirt.
By the way, your fly is down.
Smiling widely, Jacob showed us his new fishing pole.
dates/addresses
We’re leaving for vacation on Friday, March 6.
Please write to 1578 Main Street Madison, Wisconsin.
I have always wanted to live in Orlando, Florida.
I think his address is 3579 South Lane Dallas, Texas 75001.
