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Commas

Commas. Rules and some examples from the following website: https :// owl.english.purdue.edu /owl/resource/607/02/. #1 Rule for Commas. Use commas with compound sentences to separate two complete sentences joined together with a coordinating conjunction

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Commas

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  1. Commas Rules and some examples from the following website: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/02/

  2. #1 Rule for Commas • Use commas with compound sentences to separate two complete sentences joined together with a coordinating conjunction • Example: Mrs. B asked Reagan to eat her peas, yet Regan still wouldn’t try them.

  3. #2 Rule for Commas • Use commas after introductory clauses, phrases, or words that come before the main clause. • Example: While Bridget was eating, her cats tried to sit on her lap. • Example: However, I didn’t get home until later in the day. • Example: Having finished his dinner, he asked to be excused from the table. • Never: I’ll sweep the patio, after the wind stops blowing.

  4. #3 Rule for Commas • Use commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases and words not essential to the meaning of the sentence • Question #1: If you leave out the clause, phrase, or word, does the sentence still make sense? • Question #2: Does the clause, phrase, or word interrupt the flow of words in the original sentence? • Question #3: If you move the element to a different position in the sentence, does the sentence still make sense?

  5. #3 Rule for Commas • Example for a clause: That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only day when I am available to meet. • Example for a phrase: This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food, on the other hand, is rather bland. • Example for a word: I appreciate your hard work. In this case, however, you seem to have over-exerted yourself.

  6. #4 Rule for Commas • Do not set off an essential phrase with commas • Example: Students who cheat only harm themselves. • Never: Students, who cheat, only harm themselves. (this sounds like all students harm themselves) • Example: Fred, who always cheats, is only harming himself. (this is correct use of commas)

  7. #5 Rule for Commas • Use commas when listing • Example: I needed to go to the store to pick up shampoo, conditioner, and floss.

  8. #6 Rule for Commas • Use commas for 2+ adjectives describing the same noun • Question #1: Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives are written in reverse order? • Question #2: Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives are written with and between them? • Example: He was a difficult, stubborn child. • Never: They lived in a white, frame house. (this should be: They lived in a white frame house.)

  9. #7 Rule for Commas • Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift. • Example: Winston seemed rebellious, even angry. • Example: O’Brien acted sympathetic, almost human.

  10. #8 Rule for Commas • Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer to the beginning or middle of the sentence (called a free modifier; can be moved anywhere). If the placement of the modifier causes confusion, then it is not "free" and must remain "bound" to the word it modifies. • Example: Nancy waved enthusiastically at the docking ship, laughing joyously. (correct) • Never: Lisa waved at Nancy, laughing joyously. (Who is laughing, Lisa or Nancy? Fix: Laughing joyously, Lisa waved at Nancy.)

  11. #9 Rule for Commas • Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates, addresses, and titles in names. • Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England. • July 22, 1959, was a momentous day in his life. • Who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC? • Rachel B. Lake, MD, will be the principal speaker. • Never: Mrs. B was born in September 1976.

  12. #10 Rule for Commas • Use comma to set off text and dialogue • Reagan called enthusiastically, “Momma, we have hummingbirds in our roses!” • This is mostly relevant in essay writing in transitions leading into a regular quotation (not a block/in-text quotation)

  13. #11 Rule for Commas • Use commas to prevent issues when reading a sentence without pauses • Example: To Winston, O’Brien represented a savior. • Example without: O’Brien represented a savior to Winston.

  14. #1 Comma Abuse • Don’t separate the subject from the verb with a comma • Never: Winston and Julia’s need for rebellion, makes them bold. • Fix: Winston and Julia’s need for rebellion makes them bold.

  15. #2 Comma Abuse • No commas to separate two verbs in a compound predicate (when the subject is completing two actions) • Never: Winston writes in his diary, and hides the evidence from the Party. • Fix: Winston writes in his diary and hides the evidence from the Party.

  16. #3 Comma Abuse • No commas in a compound subject or compound object (two or more nouns completing an action) • Never: Winston, and Julia inform O’Brien about their willingness to join the Brotherhood. • Fix: Winston and Julia inform O’Brien about their willingness to join the Brotherhood.

  17. #4 Comma Abuse • Don't put a comma after the main clause when a subordinate clause follows it. • Never: I will get a haircut, when I get the money. • Fix: I will get a haircut when I get the money.

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