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Grammar Lesson I

Grammar Lesson I. Comma Usage. Basic Usage of the Comma. I. Use commas to separate items in a series Students in the auto mechanics class learned to replace the spark plugs, adjust the points, and change the oil in three different makes of automobiles.

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Grammar Lesson I

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  1. Grammar Lesson I Comma Usage

  2. Basic Usage of the Comma • I. Use commas to separate items in a series • Students in the auto mechanics class learned to replace the spark plugs, adjust the points, and change the oil in three different makes of automobiles. • Timepieces may be classified in the following categories: sundials, hourglasses, clocks, watches and chronometers .(four categories)

  3. Comma Usage (cont) • II. Use a comma before for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so (“fan boys”) when they join independent clauses, unless the clauses are very short. • Monday’s meeting had gone smoothly, yet I felt a controversy brewing. • I’ll go this way and you go that way. (Independent Clause is too short to require punctuation)

  4. Comma Usage (cont) • Use commas to set off nonessential clauses (a subordinate clause that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence)and nonessential participial phrases. • Non-essential: Carla, who was offered scholarships to three colleges, will go to Vassar in the fall. • Essential: Carla is the only senior who won scholarships to three colleges.

  5. Comma and Introductory Elements • I. Use the comma after certain introductory elements. • A. Use a comma after words such as well, yes, no, why, etc., when they begin a sentence. • Yes, you were elected. • Oh, I wouldn’t be too sure about that. • Why, the entire argument is false.

  6. Intro. Elements (cont) • B. Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase. • Behaving like a spoiled child, he pouted and sulked. • Washing and polishing the car, I developed sore muscles. • Note: Do not confuse a gerund ending in –ing and used as a subject with and introductory participial phrase. • Washing and polishing the car is fun.

  7. Comma and Intro Elements (cont) • C. Use a comma after a succession of introductory prepositional phrases. • At the edge of the deep woods near Lakeville in Cumberland county, he built a small log cabin. • Note: a single introductory phrase need not be followed by a comma unless it is parenthetical (by the way, on the contrary, etc.) or the comma is necessary to prevent confusion. • By the way, I had a letter from Jordan. • With the weak, competition is unpopular. • In the morning I am never wide awake.

  8. Intro Elements and Comma Usage (cont) • D. Use a comma after an introductory adverb clause. • Examples: • While Mario put the costume on, his accompanist played “Deep Purple.” • An adverbial clause at the end of the sentence is not usually set off: • His accompanist played “Deep Purple” while Mario put the costume on.

  9. Comma Usage: Interrupters • I. Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt the sentence • A. Appositives and appositive phrases are usually set off by commas • An appositive is a word– with or without modifiers- that follows a noun or pronoun and identifies or explains it. • An appositive phrase consists of an appositive and its modifiers.

  10. Appositive and Appositive Phrases (cont) • Example:A syndicated column by Bernice Silverman, the noted writer, will appear in the Times-News, a local paper. • Note: When an appositive is so closely related to the word it modifies that it appears to be part of that word, no comma is necessary. An appositive of this kind is called a restrictive appositive. Usually it is one word. • Her cousin Rachel will be coming to the party. • The novel Unbroken was published last year. • Your friend James arrived. • Catherine the Great died in 1796.

  11. Commas used in Direct Address B. Words used in direct address are set off by commas. Examples: I don’t know, Alice, where your brother is. Sam, please come here. Your grades are disappointing, my friend.

  12. Commas and Parenthetical Expressions • C. Parenthetical Expressions are set off by commas. • Common Expressions used parenthetically: I believe (think, know ,hope, etc. ), I am sure, on the contrary, on the other hand, after all, by the way, incidentally, in fact, indeed, naturally, of course, in my opinion, for example, however, nevertheless, to tell the truth. Examples: My parents will, I am sure, let me have the car tonight. The weight of the car, of course, determines the price of the license. E On the contrary, colonialism is dead.

  13. Final Note on Commas Comma usage rules are helpful in punctuating; however, you should understand that the author’s intention is the determining factor governing the punctuation. If you wish the reader to pause, to regard an expression as parenthetical, set if off; if not, leave it unpunctuated.

  14. Examples: This is indeed a great piece of news. This is, indeed, a great piece of news. Indeed, this is a great piece of news. [comma required by placement] We therefore agreed to sign the petition. We, therefore, agreed to sign the petition. We agreed, therefore, to sign the petition. [commas required by placement]

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