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Everything you ever wanted to know about Commas

Everything you ever wanted to know about Commas. Are commas important?. A woman without her man is nothing. Use a comma before the conjunction in a compound sentence. The play’s star is Glenda Glimmer, and its author is Tennessee Miller.

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Everything you ever wanted to know about Commas

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  1. Everything you ever wanted to know aboutCommas

  2. Are commas important? A woman without her man is nothing.

  3. Use a comma before the conjunction in a compound sentence • The play’s star is Glenda Glimmer, and its author is Tennessee Miller. • Miller’s early plays were widely acclaimed, but his more recent ones have failed.

  4. Do not use a comma if there is no full clause after the conjunction Wrong: George straightened his tie, and put on his jacket. Right: George straightened his tie and put on his jacket.

  5. Do not use a comma after a conjunction • Wrong: I ordered chicken but, he ordered lobster. • Right: I ordered chicken, but he ordered lobster. • Wrong: But, what did you say? • Right: But what did you say?

  6. Do not use a comma between independent clauses not joined by a conjunction; use a semicolon instead. • Wrong: the starting gun sounded, the crowd roared. • Right: The starting gun sounded; the crowd roared.

  7. Use a comma to set off introductory elements • Introductory adverb clause: If you pay full tuition now, you may register by mail. • Introductory prepositional phrase: In the cool air of that April morning, we strolled along the boulevard. • Introductory verbal phrase: Speaking off the record, the mayor admitted the error.

  8. Use a comma to separate items in a series • Words: I enjoy the old films of Bogart, Cagney, Garbo and Hepburn. • Phrases: The book is available in bookstores, at newsstands or by mail. • Clauses: She took French lessons, she studied guidebooks and she talked to people who had been to Paris.

  9. Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives • Tall, stately trees lined the roadway. • Vulgar, snide or obscene remarks are not appreciated here. • Note: some combinations flow naturally together and need no comma: little red schoolhouse

  10. Use a comma to separate parenthetical expressions from the main part of the sentence. • She was, in my opinion, outstanding. • He, on the other hand, performed unconvincingly. • It is unfortunate, to be sure.

  11. Use a comma to set off nonrestrictive clauses or phrases Clauses: • Parsons Boulevard, which runs past my home, is being repaved. • Penny Prentiss, who lives in Hill Hall, has won the award. Phrases: • Ms. Atlee, wearing red, is Jack’s sister. • Locker 356, with the Yosemite poster, is mine.

  12. Do not use a comma to set off restrictive (essential) phrases Clauses: • The street which runs past my home is being repaved. • A woman who lives in Hill Hall has won the award. Phrases: • The woman wearing red is Jack’s sister. • The locker with the Yosemite poster is mine.

  13. Use a comma to set off appositives • America’s greatest playwright, Eugene O’Neill, was once a sailor. • The hermit crab, a South Pacific species, seals itself into its home for life.

  14. Use a comma to set off absolute phrases (-ing) • The day being warm, we headed for the beach. • Bosley, his clothes hanging in tatters, staggered into camp.

  15. Other uses of commas: Yes or no at the beginning of a sentence: Yes, we have neckties on sale. Mild interjections: Well, I’ll have to think that over. Names or other words used in direct address: Henry, what are you doing?

  16. Use a comma to set off a direct quotation • “I love you,” she whispered. • “And I,” he replied, “love you.” Note: With direct quotations, the comma ALWAYS goes inside the quotation marks.

  17. More uses of commas: In place of omitted or understood words: Shirley attends Harvard; her brother, Yale. Before a confirmatory question: It’s a nice day, isn’t it? Dates and addresses: September 27, 2001 Reno, Nevada Salutations: Dear John,

  18. Test! • The car having broken down because of a dirty carburetor we missed the first act in which Hamlet confronts his father’s ghost. • After she had paid her tuition she went to the room in the dormitory where she began unpacking her clothes. • The day was so warm and sunny that the entire class wished fervently that the lecture would take place outdoors. • Linda Rondstadt who has recorded dozens of hit songs has also starred in the operetta The Pirates of Penzance.

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