Commas. Review Mini Lesson

Transcription

1 Commas Review Mini Lesson

2 Why use a Comma? l A comma is a punctuation mark that helps keep distinct ideas separate. l Commas signal meaning, so it is critical to use them correctly!

3 How do I use commas correctly? l There are set guidelines for using commas. You must know and understand the rules of comma usage. l In particular, you must know and understand how to use l Commas between items in a series l Commas after introductory word groups l Commas around appositives and interrupters l Commas in compound sentences l Commas in complex sentences

4 1. Using commas between items in a series l When you have a list of three or more items in a series, you must include a comma between each item. With the last item, the comma will come before the and/or. l We dressed as pioneers, people from the 1970s, and Revolutionary War heroes for Throwback Thursday. l Do not include a comma when you have only two items in the series. l We wore costumes and dress down clothes for the scary movie.

5 2. Using commas after introductory word groups l Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clause to let your reader know when the main part of the sentence is starting. l However, there are only six weeks left in the semester. (introductory word) l According to my teacher, I am doing well in my English course. (introductory phrase) l Because I didn t study for the exam, I didn t pass. (introductory clause)

6 3. Using Commas with Appositives & Interrupters l What is an appositive? l An appositive comes directly after a noun and renames it. l My favorite lunch, Marian Moms, was served on Tuesday. l Maddie, one of my former students, requested a letter of recommendation. l My English teacher, Mrs. Cotton, assigns a lot of homework.

7 Appositives & Interrupters cont. l What is an Interrupter? l An interrupter is an aside or transition that interrupts the flow of a sentence but doesn t affect its meaning. l By the way, most of the students did well on the first writing assignment. l Some of the students, however, did not do well. l Many students, incidentally, received a better grade because they got help from the teacher. l Others, on the other hand, received lower grades because they didn t take time to proofread.

8 Appositives & Interrupters cont. l We use commas around appositives and interrupters to tell our readers that these elements provide extra information but are not essential to the meaning of a sentence. Wherever these elements fall in the sentence, they should be offset with commas. l By the way, most students passed the test. l Most students, by the way, passed the test. l Most students passed the test, by the way.

9 Appositives & Interrupters cont. l It is important to understand how a transitional word is being used so that you can properly punctuate. l I did well on my math test; however, I did not do well on my English test. (transitional word as introductory element) l I did well on my math test; I did not, however, do well on my English test. (transitional word as interrupter) l I did well on my math test, however, I did not do well on my English test. (incorrect use creates a comma splice!)

10 Appositives & Interrupters cont. l Sometimes an appositive is essential to the meaning of the sentence. When the meaning of the sentence would not be the same without the appositive, it should not be offset with commas. l The teacher Mrs. Piernicky is new to Marian this year. l The teacher is new to Marian this year. l The coffee shop Scooters recently opened near my high school. l The coffee shop recently opened near my high school.

11 4. Using commas in compound sentences l When you have a compound sentence two independent clauses joined together with a coordinating conjunction you must use a comma before the coordinating conjunction. l We went out to dinner, and then we went to see a movie. l We wanted to go out to dinner, but we didn t feel like going to the movies afterwards.

12 Compound Sentence continued l If you have a coordinating conjunction joining two clauses, but one is independent and the other is not, no comma is needed! l We went out to dinner and then to see a movie. l We wanted to go out to dinner but not to the movies.

13 5. Using Commas in Complex Sentences l Complex sentences join an independent clause with a dependent clause or relative clause. l A dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction (dependent word) and cannot stand alone. l A relative clause begins with a relative pronoun (who, which, that) and cannot stand alone.

14 Commas with Dependent Clauses l When a dependent clause is used as an introductory clause, it is followed by a comma. l Because I didn t study for the exam, I didn t pass. l When you get to work, give me a call. l However, when a dependent clause comes at the end of the sentence, it is generally not preceded by a comma. l I didn t pass because I didn t study for the exam. l Give me a call when you get to work.

15 Commas with Relative Clauses l If a relative clause can be taken out of the sentence without changing the meaning, then it should be offset with commas. l My dog, who is a Beagle, barks too much. l My laptop, which weighs only five pounds, fits into my backpack.

16 Relative Clauses continued l If a relative clause cannot be taken out of the sentence without changing the meaning, then it should not be offset with commas. l The man who stole my purse has been arrested. l The shirt that I bought yesterday already has a tear in it. l The B day schedule that we never have should occur on Tuesdays.