1. Commas to Set off
Contrasting Phrases
6th & 7th Grade Language

2.  You always need a comma to set off
contrasting phrases from the rest of the
sentence.
The Rule

3.  A contrasting phrase is a group of words
that expresses the opposite of the words
before it.
 They are often signaled with words like
“which,” “but,” or “not.”
What are Contrasting Phrases?

4.  It was her money not her charm or
personality that first attracted him.
 It was her money not her charm or
personality that first attracted him.
 It was her money, not her charm or
personality, that first attracted him.
Examples

5.  The puppies were cute but very messy.
 The puppies were cute but very messy.
 The puppies were cute, but very messy.
More Examples

6.  I just realized that it’s December not
November!
 I just realized that it’s December not
November!
 I just realized that it’s December, not
November!
One Last Example…

7.  The game was fun but crowded.
 Billy not Amelia will win the award for
silliest student this quarter.
 Orion had three hours of homework which
wasn’t fun.
 It’s going to rain not snow next week.
Practice

8.  The game was fun, but crowded.
 Billy, not Amelia, will win the award for
silliest student this quarter.
 Orion had three hours of homework,
which wasn’t fun.
 It’s going to rain, not snow, next week.
Answers