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
What does the comma do?
nA
comma is a punctuation mark that
indicates a pause is needed in a sentence.
n Commas help to clarify meaning for the
reader.
n Commas can help a writer write with more
mature sentences.
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.")
Common Use—Quick Review
Use a comma to shift between the
main discourse and a quotation.
n John
said without emotion, "I'll see you
tomorrow."
n "I was able," she answered, "to complete
the assignment."
n In 1848, Marx wrote, "Workers of the
world, unite!"
Common Uses—Quick Review
Use commas wherever necessary to
prevent possible confusion or
misreading.
n To
George, Harrison had been a sort of idol.
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?
Commas in a Series/List
n Commas
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.
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
How do you know when to put a
comma between adjectives?
THE TEST:
n
Can you put “and” between the adjectives?
n
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)
Commas in a Compound Sentence
nA
sentence that contains
two independent clauses
joined by a coordinating
conjunction is called a
compound sentence.
n A conjunction joins words,
phrases, and clauses
together in a sentence.
Conjunctions:
•for
•and
•nor
•but
•or
•yet
•so
(Remember fanboy)
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
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
To Correct a Comma Splice
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).
n
•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.
Commas Rule!
Part 2: More Rules
n Commas and dependent clauses
n Commas with nonessential clauses
Commas with Dependent Clauses
n Some dependent clause markers:
A dependent clause
because
though
contains a subject
and verb, but the
since
although
clause cannot stand
when
unless
independently.
while
after
n Dependent clauses
until
before
can often be
identified by the use
if
once
of dependent clause
as
whether
markers.
n
Sentence Structure:
Dependent Phrases and Clauses
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.
n
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
Introductory Clause
Sinceititwas
was raining
raining,we
wedecided
decidedtotogogototothe
themovies.
movies.
Since
DCM S V
S
V
Once
, I Ifell
Oncethe
themovie
moviebegan
began
fellasleep.
asleep.
DCM
S
V S V
After
we went
went out
out for
for coffee.
coffee.
Afterthe
themovie
movie ended
ended, we
DCM
S
V
S
V
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
Nonessential Phrases and Clauses
nA
nonessential phrase or clause adds
extra information to a sentence.
n This information can be eliminated from
the sentence without jeopardizing the
meaning of the sentence.
n Always place commas around
nonessential phrases and clauses.
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!
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
Essential Phrases and Clauses
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.
n
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!
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.
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.
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)
Commas are TOUGH!—Helpful Hints
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)
n