Commas and Capitalization
Aligned to L.7.2 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
Correct capitalization, punctuation, and spelling make writing clear. One key rule: use a comma between coordinate adjectives — two adjectives that each independently describe the noun.
Worked examples
Example 1
Correct: 'a cold, cramped room' (both describe the room, so a comma separates them). No comma: 'a bright red kite' ('bright' modifies 'red,' not the kite). Test: if 'and' fits between them, use a comma.
Example 2
A comma can change the fact: 'Let's eat, Grandma' and 'Let's eat Grandma' describe very different evenings.
Example 3
Capitalise a title only when it is attached to the name: 'Principal Ortiz spoke' but 'the principal spoke'.
Practice questions
- Write a sentence with two coordinate adjectives and place the comma correctly.
- Write one where no comma is needed and explain why.
- Proofread a paragraph you wrote for one capitalization or spelling fix.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Comas y mayúsculas
La ortografía, la puntuación y las mayúsculas correctas dan claridad. Regla clave: usa coma entre adjetivos coordinados que describen por separado al sustantivo.
Ejemplo 1: Correcto: 'una habitación fría, estrecha' (ambos describen la habitación). Prueba: si cabe 'y' entre ellos ('fría y estrecha'), usa coma. Recuerda: días y meses van en minúscula en español.
Ejemplo 2: Una coma cambia el hecho: 'Vamos a comer, abuela' y 'Vamos a comer abuela' describen noches muy distintas.
Ejemplo 3: Los cargos van en minúscula en español, aun junto al nombre: 'el director Ortiz habló', no 'el Director Ortiz'.
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