Commas Rule. Part 1: The Basics. nquick Review of common uses ncommas in a list ncommas between adjectives ncommas in a compound sentence

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1 Commas Rule Part 1: The Basics nquick Review of common uses ncommas in a list ncommas between adjectives ncommas in a compound sentence Adapted from Purdue University Writing lab

2 What does the comma do? na comma is a punctuation mark that indicates a pause is needed in a sentence. ncommas help to clarify meaning for the reader. ncommas can help a writer write with more mature sentences.

3 Common Uses Quick review Commas set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names. n Birmingham,Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England. n July 22, 1959, was a momentous day in his life. n Who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC? When you use just the month and the year, no comma is necessary after the month or year: "The average temperatures for July 1998 are the highest on record for that month.")

4 Common Use Quick Review Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation. njohn said without emotion, "I'll see you tomorrow." n"i was able," she answered, "to complete the assignment." nin 1848, Marx wrote, "Workers of the world, unite!"

5 Common Uses Quick Review Use commas wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading. n To George, Harrison had been a sort of idol.

6 Commas in a Series/List Consider the differences in the following: Last month, Alex dated Mary Ann Lee and Kim. Last month, Alex dated Mary, Ann, Lee, and Kim. Last month, Alex dated Mary Ann, Lee, and Kim. How many women did Alex date?

7 Commas in a Series/List ncommas should be placed in series of words, phrases, or clauses. Martina brushed her hair, put on her pajamas, and went to bed. She fell asleep and dreamed that she was a princess, she kissed a frog, and she rescued her prince.

8 Commas Between Adjectives qcommas separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. qcoordinate adjectives are adjectives with equal ("co"- ordinate) status in describing the noun; neither adjective is subordinate to the other. big blue house three hungry kittens a cranky, ungrateful man a stubborn, spoiled child

9 How do you know when to put a comma between adjectives? THE TEST: n n Can you put and between the adjectives? Can they be described in reverse order? If so, use a comma. She often wore a gray wool shawl. (non-coordinate) Your cousin has an easy, happy smile. (coordinate)

10 Commas in a Compound Sentence na sentence that contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction is called a compound sentence. na conjunction joins words, phrases, and clauses together in a sentence. Conjunctions: for and nor but or yet so (Remember fanboy)

11 Compound Sentence--Examples n The comma in a compound sentence is placed before the coordinating conjunction. S V conj. Andy built a snowman, and Jeff played with his dog. S V

12 A Common Comma Error: The Comma Splice na comma splice is an error in which two independent clauses are joined by a comma. We had a nice time, I hope we can meet again soon. S V S V The Internet has revolutionized the business world, S V online sales have increased dramatically this year. S V

13 To Correct a Comma Splice n Insert a conjunction between the two independent clauses. n Start a new sentence. n Insert a semi-colon between the two independent clauses (only in cases where the independent clauses are closely related in topic). We had a nice time, and I hope we can meet again soon. We had a nice time. I hope we can meet again soon. The Internet has revolutionized the business world; online sales have increased dramatically this year.

14 Commas Rule! Part 2: More Rules ncommas and dependent clauses ncommas with nonessential clauses

15 Commas with Dependent Clauses n A dependent clause n contains a subject and verb, but the clause cannot stand independently. n Dependent clauses can often be identified by the use of dependent clause markers. Some dependent clause markers: because though since although when unless while after until before if once as whether

16 Sentence Structure: Dependent Phrases and Clauses n Dependent phrases and clauses help to clarify and add detail to an independent clause. n Dependent clauses may appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.

17 Introductory Clause Introductory clauses are dependent clauses located at the beginning of a sentence n When a dependent clause is placed at the beginning of a sentence, place a comma between the independent clause and the dependent clause. DCM When Elizabeth called 911, the firemen rushed to her rescue. S V S V

18 Introductory Clause Sinceit it was raining, we we decidedto to go go to to the the movies. DCM S V S V Once Once the the movie movie began, II fell fell asleep. DCM S V S V After the the movie ended, we went out for coffee. DCM S V S V

19 Dependent Clauses When a dependent clause is located after an independent clause, DO NOT place a comma between the two. I went on the roller coaster because my brother dared me. S V DCM S V I became very sick when the S V DCM roller coaster zoomed upside down. S V

20 Nonessential Phrases and Clauses na nonessential phrase or clause adds extra information to a sentence. nthis information can be eliminated from the sentence without jeopardizing the meaning of the sentence. nalways place commas around nonessential phrases and clauses.

21 Sentence Structure: Nonessential Phrases and Clauses My brother, who lives across town, plans to throw a party! S non-essential V Even without the phrase the sentence still makes sense : My brother plans to throw a party!

22 Nonessential Phrases and Clauses S V Steve said that he would propose to me on Valentine s Day, which is my favorite holiday! non-essential Use commas to set off additional information

23 Essential Phrases and Clauses n An essential clause or phrase is used to modify a noun. n It also adds information that is critical to the meaning of the sentence. n Essential clauses are NOT set off by commas.

24 Essential Phrases and Clauses The people who work in my office are so uptight! S essential phrase V Without the essential phrase, this sentence does not make complete sense : The people are so uptight!

25 Essential Phrases and Clauses The coffee that I had at Joe s was much better than this one! S essential V The word that is almost always an indicator of an essential phrase or clause.

26 Commas A Few Final Rules Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift. n He was merely ignorant, not stupid. n You're one of the senator's close friends, aren't you? n The speaker seemed innocent, even gullible.

27 Commas A Few Final Rules Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer back to the beginning or middle of the sentence. Such phrases are free modifiers that can be placed anywhere in the sentence without causing confusion. (If the placement of the modifier causes confusion, then it is not "free" and must remain "bound" to the word it modifies.) n Nancy waved enthusiastically at the docking ship, laughing joyously. (correct) n Incorrect: Lisa waved at Nancy, laughing joyously. (Who is laughing, Lisa or Nancy?) n Laughing joyously, Lisa waved at Nancy. (correct) n Lisa waved at Nancy, who was laughing joyously. (correct)

28 Commas are TOUGH! Helpful Hints n Know the rules! n Use the steps we learned to find independent and dependent clauses. (1. Find the verb ) n Remember that finding the prepositions can help you find dependent clauses. n Memorize the seven coordinating conjunctions! (fanboy) n Remember tricks for punctuation (ex: the order of coordinating adjectives can be switched and that s how you know you need a comma)

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