Commas Until You Cry !

1. Commas Until You Cry!

2. No handbook says to use commas where you pause while speaking! X Blah blahblah [pause = ,] blah blahblah [pause = ,] blah blahblah ...

3. Don’t hook your reader’s eyes with unnecessary commas. When in doubt, leave them out! O u c h !

4. As carefully as architects plan skyscrapers, you must create successful sentences by learning when and where to place commas.

5. Each sentence part that follows will–depending on its location–connect with a comma.

6. Prepositional Phrase • Begins with a preposition, a word that shows locationin place or in time. Click here for a complete list. • Might include optional description. • Ends with a noun.

7. Read these examples: That tasty poodle went over my tongue,down my throat,andinto my stomach!

8. Participle Phrase • Begins with a presentor past participle. • A presentparticiple always ends in ing. • A pastparticiple frequently ends in ed. • An irregular pastparticiple takes a variety of forms. Click here for a complete list. • Might include modifier(s)to finish the thought.

9. Read these examples: Groundlike hamburger,boilingin swamp water,seasonedwith garlic,the tasty poodle simmered in a pot!

10. Infinitive Phrase • Begins with an infinitive[to + verb]. • Might include modifier(s)to finish the thought. • Here are two examples: To eatanother tasty poodleor to besatisfied with just that one ...

11. Appositive • An appositive is a noun phrase that renames another noun. • An appositive comes either right beforeor right afterthe noun it describes. • Check out this example: The poodle, a yappingfur ball,was not as tasty as the human footI snaggedlast week.

12. Noun of Direct Address • A noun of direct addressis aname • It indicates who is receiving the information. • Removing the noun of direct address will not change the meaning of the sentence. • Examples: Marvin, Mr. Trump, Dad, Sweetheart

13. Compare this sentence … I have already eaten Marvin. Burp! Burp

14. … to this sentence. No thank you! I have already eaten,Marvin.

15. Adverb • Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. • Many adverbs end in ly; many others, however, do not. • In terms of comma placement, worry about those adverbs that act as transitionsbetween sentences or between paragraphs.

16. Read these examples: Unfortunately, poodles give me indigestion. That fact, however, will not keep me from eating them.

17. Subordinate Clause • Begins with a subordinate conjunction, such as although, because, if, when, while, etc. • Click here for a complete list. • Includes a subjectand a verb. • Does not, however, express a complete thought.

18. Read these examples: Ifyou ever fall off a boat ... WhileI am swimming nearby ...

19. Speaker Tag • Introduces a direct quotation. • Includes a subjectand verb. • Check out this example: Then my doctor said, “Poodles are bad for your health!”

20. Comma Tip 1 • All introductory elementsrequire a comma when they are connected to a main clause that follows. • The pattern looks like this: Introductory element main clause. + , +

21. 1.Because she is short Francine loves to go food shopping with Rachel, a tall friend. Strolling down the aisles Francine asks Rachel to grab packages of imported crackers and boxes of high-fiber cereal, items that are always too high to reach. 1.Because she is short, Francine loves to go food shopping with Rachel, a tall friend. Strolling down the aisles Francine asks Rachel to grab packages of imported crackers and boxes of high-fiber cereal, items that are always too high to reach. 1.Because she is short, Francine loves to go food shopping with Rachel, a tall friend. Strolling down the aisles, Francine asks Rachel to grab packages of imported crackers and boxes of high-fiber cereal, items that are always too high to reach.

22. 2.On top of the computer monitor in the bedroom a collection of stuffed unicorns supervises the work Lori completes at the keyboard below. 2.On top of the computer monitor in the bedroom, a collection of stuffed unicorns supervises the work Lori completes at the keyboard below.

23. 3.Akram has a problem hitting the snooze button on his alarm over and over. To get to his first class on time Akram frequently eats a donut in the car, getting crumbs all over the seat of his new vehicle. 3.Akram has a problem hitting the snooze button on his alarm over and over. To get to his first class on time,Akram frequently eats a donut in the car, getting crumbs all over the seat of his new vehicle.

24. 4.Pablo walked all the way across campus before he noticed the lightness of his book bag. Suddenly he realized that his heavy chemistry text was on the backseat of his car. 4.Pablo walked all the way across campus before he noticed the lightness of his book bag. Suddenly, he realized that his heavy chemistry text was on the backseat of his car.

25. 5.In English class no one wantsto sit next to Eli because he is always smacking his gum loudly. Moreover he nervously swings his leg, kicking people in the thighs, shins, and ankles. 5.In English class, no one wants to sit next to Eli because he is always smacking his gum loudly. Moreover he nervously swings his leg, kicking people in the thighs, shins, and ankles. 5.In English class, no one wants to sit next to Eli because he is always smacking his gum loudly. Moreover, he nervously swings his leg, kicking people in the thighs, shins, and ankles.

26. Only one more sentence part to learn!

27. Nonessential Clause • Begins with who, whoever, whom, whomever, where, wherever, which, or whichever. • Contains a subjectand a verb. • Check out this example: I can still eat poodle dinners,whichIreally enjoy, in moderation.

28. Comma Tip 2 • All interrupters require a comma in front and behind when they break the flow of a complete sentence. • The pattern looks like this: First part of the sentence +,+ interrupter + , + rest of the sentence.

29. 1. George used War and Peace a heavy, thick, intimidating book to smash the cockroaches he found crawling on the walls of his college dorm room. 1. George used War and Peace, a heavy, thick, intimidating book to smash the cockroaches he found crawling on the walls of his college dorm room. 1. George used War and Peace, a heavy, thick, intimidating book, to smash the cockroaches he found crawling on the walls of his college dorm room.

30. 2. Take this soup bone Joe and give it to the puppy before he starts chewing on our shoes. 2. Take this soup bone, Joe and give it to the puppy before he starts chewing on our shoes. 2. Take this soup bone, Joe, and give it to the puppy before he starts chewing on our shoes.

31. 3.“When you get hungry” my mother announced “I want you to try a bowl of this squid eyeball stew.” 3.“When you get hungry,” my mother announced “I want you to try a bowl of this squid eyeball stew.” 3.“When you get hungry,” my mother announced, “I want you to try a bowl of this squid eyeball stew.”

32. 4.Prof. Finklestein who assigns more papers than he has time to grade keeps student essays half a semester before returning them. 4.Prof. Finklestein, who assigns more papers than he has time to grade keeps student essays half a semester before returning them. 4.Prof. Finklestein, who assigns more papers than he has time to grade, keeps student essays half a semester before returning them.

33. 5.January the month Julie usually dreads because of its cold, dark mornings was unusually warm this past year. 5.January, the month Julie usually dreads because of its cold, dark mornings was unusually warm this past year. 5.January, the month Julie usually dreads because of its cold, dark mornings, was unusually warm this past year.

34. Comma Tip 3 • All concluding elements require a comma when they are connected at the end of a main clause. • The pattern looks like this: Main clause concluding element. + , +

35. 1. Jennifer tolerated the family reunion slapping mosquitoes with a paper plate and drinking iced tea to combat the heat. 1. Jennifer tolerated the family reunion, slapping mosquitoes with a paper plate and drinking iced tea to combat the heat.

36. 2. In a panic, Tony searched the interior of his car. He hoped to find his biology lab work under the front seat or among the clutter in the trunk. No concluding element = no comma!

37. 3. At Tito’s Taco Palace, James tried to keep pace with Theodore who can eat a burrito in thirty seconds flat. 3. At Tito’s Taco Palace, James tried to keep pace with Theodore, who can eat a burrito in thirty seconds flat.

38. 4. “Don’t bother to ask Mom” warned Sue. “She never extends curfew especially if you tell her that you will be out with a guy.” 4. “Don’t bother to ask Mom,” warned Sue. “She never extends curfew especially if you tell her that you will be out with a guy.” 4. “Don’t bother to ask Mom,” warned Sue. “She never extends curfew, especially if you tell her that you will be out with a guy.”

39. 5. At the West Oaks Mall food court, Aisha winked at Rodney a cute young man in a tight T-shirt. 5. At the West Oaks Mall food court, Aisha winked at Rodney,a cute young man in a tight T-shirt.

40. Comma Tip 4 Follow these rules when you use commas with and. Complete sentence + , +and complete sentence. item item + Ø + and + item item item + , + + , + and+

41. 1. Tony wanted to order a pizza from the Pizza Hutch and some shrimp fried rice from Wei-Wei's Cantonese Kitchen. item + and + item = no comma!

42. 2. Debbie rushed to get the report typed and Martha frantically answered the phones. 2. Debbie rushed to get the report typed, and Martha frantically answered the phones.

43. 3. I don't know when to leave my credit card at home and when to say no to a cheeseburger with fries. item + and + item = no comma!

44. 4. When Mike took his truck tothe dealership, the mechanics wanted to put in a new starter, replace his shocks and overhaul the transmission. 4. When Mike took his truck tothe dealership, the mechanics wanted to put in a new starter, replace his shocks,and overhaul the transmission.

45. 5. Because George snores to wake the dead and because Fuzzball, the dog, barks at the slightest sound, Alice never gets a good night's sleep. item + and + item = no comma!

46. Comma Tip 5 Follow these rules when you use commas with nonessential clauses. The student + ø + essential clause ran to his class. + ø + Robert nonessential clause + , + ran to his class. + , +

47. 1. People who know their grammar rules shouldn't always correct those of us who don't. Essential clause = no commas!

48. 2. My brother James who cannot please Dad has decided to move to Michigan. 2. My brother James, who cannot please Dad has decided to move to Michigan. 2. My brother James, who cannot please Dad, has decided to move to Michigan.

49. 3.The basketball players whom I admire the most play for teams other than the Orlando Magic. Essential clause = no commas!

50. 4. The movie Aliens which I have seen twenty-seven times contains too much violence for my nephews to watch. 4. The movie Aliens, which I have seen twenty-seven times contains too much violence for my nephews to watch. 4. The movie Aliens, which I have seen twenty-seven times, contains too much violence for my nephews to watch.