Commas, Commas, & More Commas!

Yes, you will need to write these notes down!

Commas With Compound Sentences

Use a comma before the coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence.

COMPOUND SENTENCESJose wanted to attend the game, but he

decided to do his report instead.Either we will win tonight, or we will have

to face a sad crowd afterward.

Commas Between Items in a Series

Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series.

SERIES Ellen bought new jeans, a plaid skirt, and a

pair of gloves. They drove to the post office, parked the car,

and unloaded the boxes.

Commas Between Adjectives

Use commas to separate adjectives of equal rank. (Do not use commas to separate adjectives that must stay in a specific order.)

With Commas A narrow, rough road led to the country

market.Without Commas

Many new books on sports are on display in the library.

Exercise 1 Using Commas Correctly.

Add commas where they are required. One sentence needs no commas. EXAMPLE:

~During the night it rained but the day was brilliant.~During the night it rained, but the day was brilliant.

1. Mary Grace lives in a dark wooded area.2. The crash awoke Father and he jumped out of bed.3. Buy tomatoes cucumbers scallions and lettuce.4. An exhausted discouraged team limped into the locker room.5. Betty must have reached home safely or she would have phoned.6. I found many old stamps in Grandfather’s collection.7. The rain has stopped but it is still very humid.8. An angry determined speaker addressed the mayor.9. Frank planned to read his speech but he lost his notes.10. I prepared a salad cooked a roast and baked some cookies.

Exercise 2 Understanding the Use of

Commas.

The sentences below are correctly punctuated. Identify the use of commas by writing the words compound, series, or adjectives.

EXAMPLE:

~She stared at the horizon lined with old, withered trees. adjectives

1. I will take the train, or I will drive to work.__________

2. Steve bought an umbrella, boots, and a rain hat.____

3. A happy, smiling crowd greeted the contestants.____

4. You must go, but I will stay._______________

5. She wanted to go swimming, get some sun, and just relax.________________

Commas After Introductory Material

Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clause.

INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL Introductory Word: No, I don’t think I can go. Introductory Phrase: Reaching the lake, she

searched for her canoe. Introductory Clause: When she entered the

building, she was confused and frightened.

Commas With Parenthetical Expressions

Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions.

PARENTHETICAL EXPRESSIONS Names of People Being Addressed: I know, Susan,

that you will do well. Certain Adverbs: I decided, therefore, to wait. Common Expressions: Mr. Wong agreed, I believe, to

go. Contrasting Expressions: The room is narrow, not

wide.

Exercise 1 Recognizing Introductory Material. Write the introductory word,

phrase, or clause in each sentence, and add the needed comma.

EXAMPLE: Yes I will attend. Yes,

1. No I’m afraid his excuse was not acceptable.

2. To grow corn you need fertile soil.

3. Determined she stalked into the office.

4. If she sings I’m sure she will win.

5. Waiting patiently she saw the bear emerge.

Exercise 16. When I try I can write very well.

7. Since you wrote the situation has changed entirely.

8. Cary why don’t you use my typewriter?

9. To improve our game we practiced every night.

10. Really I’m not sure about this new plan of yours.

Exercise 2 Using Commas Correctly. Add commas where they are needed in

each sentence. Yes, you MUST WRITE the ENTIRE SENTENCE! EXAMPLE: His ability not his personality is the issue. His ability, not his personality, is the issue.

1. Her room unfortunately is right over the garage.2. Mrs. Eriksen will you explain that answer again.3. Our vacation is near the end of July not in

August.4. Although she is excellent at ballet she prefers

modern dance.5. His refusal I am certain can easily be explained.

Exercise 26. Smiling happily she raced to the front door.7. You know of course that the President will

speak.8. Yes I certainly would like to visit Walden

Pond.9. To stop the retreat the army landed

paratroopers.10. The decision consequently was reversed by

the court.

Commas That Set Off Added Elements

(Nonessential Expressions)

A nonessential expression, short or long, gives additional information about someone or something in a sentence. Because it can be left out without changing the basic meaning of the sentence, it is set off with commas.

Commas That Set Off Added Elements

(Nonessential Expressions)ESSENTIAL AND NONESSENTIAL EXPRESSIONS

Essential: My cousin the computer expert is growing rich. Nonessential: Cathy, a computer expert, knows BASIC

and COBOL. Essential: The man standing in the corridor is the

principal. Nonessential: Dr. Rogers, now standing in the corridor, is

the principal. Essential: The boy who lives in the next house plays the

French horn. Nonessential: My cousin Phil, who lives in the next house,

plays the French horn.

Exercise 1 Using Commas With Nonessential

Expressions. Add commas to set off nonessential expressions. Not every sentence contains

a nonessential expression.

EXAMPLE: Our new car a used Ford has radial tires. Our new car, a used Ford, has radial tires.

1. Jackie Robinson a fine hitter was a daring base runner.2. The girl who leads the chorus speaks three languages.3. Mendelssohn who was born in 1809 gave his first

performance at the age of nine.4. Alex who works after school makes the Honor Roll each

year.5. The flowers growing in the window box were purchased

in a nursery.

Exercise 1 Using Commas With Nonessential

Expressions.

6. Ottawa the capital of Canada is a beautiful, clean city.

7. The tape recorder that he wants is very expensive.

8. The story “The Scarlet Ibis” is about the relationship of two brothers.

9. This is Sagamore Hill the home of Theodore Roosevelt.

10. Nashville which is near the center of Tennessee is the home of country music.

Exercise 2 Writing Essential and Nonessential

Expressions. Complete each sentence. Set off the nonessential expressions with

commas.

EXAMPLE: Her shoes , a pair of sandals, were surprisingly uncomfortable.

1. The woman_______ will tell you where his office is.

2. We visited San Francisco and Los Angeles_______.

3. March_________ was rapidly approaching.

4. Stop by and see Mrs. Harding_________ .

5. The program_________ was very boring.

Exercise 2 Writing Essential and Nonessential

Expressions.

6. The car_______ is my brother’s.

7. His grandfather______ tutors students in math.

8. Snacks_______ will be served at intermission.

9. We saw slides of my two favorite cities ______.

10. The dog_______ was barking loudly.

Commas That Set Off Added Elements

Commas With Places, Dates, and Titles When a geographical name or a date is made up of

two or more parts, use a comma after each item except in the case of a month followed by a day. Use commas to set off a title following a name.

Geographical Name: Houston, Texas, is a rapidly growing city.

Date: On September 19, 1939, German panzers invaded Poland.

Name With Title: Jim Thon, M.D., discussed safe ways to lose weight.

Commas That Set Off Added Elements

Other Uses of the Comma Use commas in the situations shown in the chart below. Address: Send the package to J. Brown, 10 Elk Lane,

Glen Cove, New York 11542. Salutation and Closing: Dear Peter, Very truly yours, Numbers: 31,654 envelopes Elliptical Sentence: Lorraine plays the guitar; her

brother Sam, the flute. Direct Quotation: “In a few minutes,” laughed Julio,

“you’ll know the surprise.” To Prevent Confusion: For Carla, Jonas had designed

a unique costume.

Exercise 1Adding Commas to

Sentences.EXAMPLE: Sean Miles D.D.S. lectured on dental hygiene.Sean Miles, D.D.S., lectured on dental hygiene.1. Write to Real-Trucks 72 Wall Avenue Norwalk

Connecticut 06850.2. The math assignment took forty-five minutes; the

science an hour.3. The population of the next county is 42375.4. The band director remarked “We’ll have our next

rehearsal on January 10.”5. John Briggs Jr. inherited his father’s business.

Exercise 1Adding Commas to

Sentences.

6. After the storm clouds were white and fleecy.

7. On June 20 1793 Eli Whitney applied for a patent for his cotton gin.

8. In 1957 the United States had 1558691 hospital beds in 6818 hospitals.

9. “For the last time” exclaimed Sue “will you be quiet!”

10. In spring planting begins.

Exercise 2 Punctuating a Letter

154 Morris DriveLos Angeles California 90039

October 12 1985Dear Pam

I am researching the Lindbergh kidnapping case. On March 1 1932 Lindbergh’s eighteen-month-old son was taken from the Lindbergh home in Hopewell New Jersey. A ransom note demanding $50000 was found. Bruno Hautpmann was arrested for the crime on September 15 1934. Police found $14000 of the ransom money in his home. Found guilty, Hautpmann was executed on April 3 1936.

Your friendGina

Comma Splices A comma Splice ALWAYS = Run-on! Two sentence joined by a comma.~I went to the store, he bought me some milk. How to fix:

1. insert a conjunction immediately after the comma. (and, or, but, therefore, etc)2. Turn the comma into a semicolon (;)3. Turn the comma into a period & capitalize the next letter.