Monday Grammar: Commas

1. Monday Grammar: Commas The Rules

2. Objective Students will be able to... - recognize dependent and independent clauses. - demonstrate correct comma usage. - identify comma mistakes and correct them. Why: Many students struggle with commas on all major essays. Many of you wrote this down when I asked what grammar issues you feel would be good to cover.

3. To Do Today • 1. Take notes on the comma rules • 2. Practice applying these rules to real sentences. • 3. If there's time: Go over How-To Assignment sheet and rubric. • 4. Two outlines due- choose one by tomorrow!

4. What you need to know first: • What is a clause? • There are two kinds of clauses: • 1. Independent • 2. Dependent

5. Independent Clause An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence. Example: Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz. What is the subject? What is the verb?

6. Dependent Clause • A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. • Example: • When Jim was in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz • Is this a complete thought? What do we need?

7. Dependent Marker Words • Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word. • A dependent marker word is a word added to the beginning of an independent clause that makes it into a dependent clause. • Some common dependent markers are: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.

8. Practice: Use your own piece of paper to decide whether each clause on the next slide is independent or dependent.

9. Put I or D for each number: 1. IT WILL CONTINUE TO LEAK OIL 2. WHILE THE CAR IS BEING FIXED 3. IF YOU HAVE STUDIED A LITTLE EACH DAY 4. YOU WILL PROBABLY WANT TO REST 5. SINCE I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY 6. WHETHER HE ATTENDS THE PARTY OR NOT 7. I WILL STOP PLAYING THE DRUMS 8. SINCE YOU'VE TAKEN YOUR EXAM IN BIOLOGY

10. Share: • Compare your answers with a neighbor. • Talk through the ones that you disagree on, who is right? Why?

11. Answers: 1. I 2. D 3. D 4. I 5. D 6. D 7. I 8. D

12. Now what? • Now that we know how to recognize independent and dependent clauses, as well as the dependent marker words, we are able to learn the comma rules. • NOTE: • There are MANY rules for commas. The only way to really learn them is to practice them over a long period of time. You will always be practicing comma usage!

13. Comma Rule #1 1. Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. These are called FANBOYS. -You must use a comma when combining sentences using FANBOYS.

14. Examples of Rule #1: The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave. The student explained her question, yet the instructor still didn't seem to understand. Yesterday was her brother's birthday, so she took him out to dinner.

15. Comma Rule #2 2. Use commas after introductory a) clauses b) phrases c) words that come before the main clause.

16. Comma Rule #2 A Use commas after introductory clauses. Examples: • While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door. • Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class. • If you are ill, you ought to see a doctor. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while.

17. Comma Rule #2 B Use commas after introductory phrases. Examples: • Having finished the test, he left the room. • To get a seat, you'd better come early.

18. Comma Rule #2 C Use commas after introductory words that come before the main clause. Examples: • Well, perhaps he meant no harm. • Yes, the package should arrive tomorrow morning. Common introductory words that should be followed by a comma include yes, however, well.

19. Practice: • On the following slides, I will show you a sentence. • With a partner, write out the sentence as it SHOULD be according to the rules. You should both have your own paper. • Then, write down the rule that corresponds to that sentence. • Rule #1, Rule #2A, Rule #2B, Rule #2C

20. Practice Questions 1. Because of their opposition to institutions that force creatures to live in captivity some people refuse to go to the zoo.

21. Practice Questions 2. After he survived this ordeal the trapper felt relieved.

22. Practice Questions • 3. Nice is a word with many meanings and some of them are contradictory.

23. Practice Questions 4. Well I hope that someday he will learn how to be polite.

24. Practice Questions 5. Having been to the museum before I knew exactly what I wanted to see.

25. Answers 1. Because of their opposition to institutions that force creatures to live in captivity, some people refuse to go to the zoo. Rule #2A Use commas after introductory clauses.

26. Answers 2. After surviving this ordeal, the trapper felt relieved. Rule #2A Use commas after introductory clauses.

27. Answers 3. Nice is a word with many meanings, and some of them are contradictory. Rule #1 Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

28. Answers 4. Well, I hope that someday he will learn how to be polite. Rule #2C Use commas after introductory words that come before the main clause.

29. Answers 5. Having been to the museum before, I knew exactly what I wanted to see. Rule #2B Use commas after introductory phrases.

30. NOTE OUT THE DOOR Which comma rule is the most difficult. Put your tally on the board.

31. Commas Continued Rules #3-#5

32. Review Yesterday's Rules On a clean, separate sheet, using each of these comma rules, come up with your own correct sentences using each rule. Rule #1: Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions Rule #2A: Use commas after introductory clauses. Rule #2B: Use commas after introductory phrases. Rule #2C: Use commas after introductory words that come before the main clause.

33. SHARE! • Share one with the class. • I will collect the 4 that you wrote on your own LATER to make sure we are all getting this! • Save this sheet for later. • Take notes in your grammar section.

34. Comma Rule #3 • 3. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end of the pause.

35. Clues for Rule #3 Here are some clues to help you decide whether the sentence element is essential: • If you leave out the clause, phrase, or word, does the sentence still make sense? • Does the clause, phrase, or word interrupt the flow of words in the original sentence? • If you move the element to a different position in the sentence, does the sentence still make sense? If you answer "yes" to one or more of these questions, then the element in question is nonessential and should be set off with commas.

36. Examples Clause: That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday,is the only day when I am available to meet. Phrase: This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food, on the other hand, is rather bland. Word: I appreciate your hard work. In this case, however, you seem to have over-exerted yourself.

37. Comma Rule #4 • 4. Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning with that (relative clauses). • That clauses after nouns are always essential. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential.

38. Examples That clauses after nouns: The book that I borrowed from youis excellent. The apples that fell out of the basket are bruised. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action: She believesthat she will be able to earn an A. He is dreaming that he can fly.

39. Difference between essential and nonessential Examples of other essential elements (no commas): Students who cheatonly harm themselves. The baby wearing a yellow jumpsuitis my niece. Examples of nonessential elements (set off by commas): Fred, who often cheats,is just harming himself. My niece, wearing a yellow jumpsuit, is playing in the living room.

40. Comma Rule #5 5. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series. Examples: The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. The candidate promised to lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce crime, and end unemployment.

41. Practice • On the following slides, I will show you a sentence. • Write out the sentence as it SHOULD be according to the rules. (It could be correct) • Then, write down the rule that corresponds to that sentence. • Rule #3, Rule #4, Rule #5

42. Practice Questions • 1. Oil which is lighter than water rises to the surface.

43. Practice Questions 2. The closet contained worn clothes old shoes and dirty hats.

44. Practice Questions 3. Mark Twain's early novels I believe stand the test of time.

45. Practice Questions 4. Vests which were once popular have been out of vogue for several years.

46. Practice Questions 5. I hope that someday he will learn how to be polite.

47. Compare with a Neighbor • Do you agree or disagree? • Who is right? Why?

48. Practice Questions • 1. Oil which is lighter than water rises to the surface.

49. Answers 1. Oil, which is lighter than water, rises to the surface. Rule #3 Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

50. Practice Questions 2. The closet contained worn clothes old shoes and dirty hats.