This PowerPoint Presentation is ©2009 by Robin L. Simmons.

All Rights Reserved.

This PowerPoint Presentation is ©2009 by Robin L. Simmons.

All Rights Reserved.

Blah blah blah

[pause = ,] blah blah

blah [pause = ,] blah blah blah …

Blah blah blah

[pause = ,] blah blah

blah [pause = ,] blah blah blah …

No handbook says to use commas where you pause while speaking!No handbook says to use commas where you pause while speaking!

Don’t hook your reader’s eyes with unnecessary commas! When in doubt, leave them out!

Don’t hook your reader’s eyes with unnecessary commas! When in doubt, leave them out!

O u c h !O u c h !

As builders do with skyscrapers, create successful sentences by learning when and where to place commas.

As builders do with skyscrapers, create successful sentences by learning when and where to place commas.

Each sentence part that follows will –

depending on its location – connect with

a comma.

Each sentence part that follows will –

depending on its location – connect with

a comma.

Prepositional PhrasePrepositional Phrase• Begins with a preposition, a word that

shows location in place or in time. Click here for a complete list.

• Might include optional description.• Ends with a noun.• Check out these examples:

That tasty poodle went over my tongue,

down my throat,

and into my stomach!

That tasty poodle went over my tongue,

down my throat,

and into my stomach!

Participle PhraseParticiple Phrase• Begins with a present or past participle.

• A present participle always ends in ing.• A past participle frequently ends in ed.• An irregular past participle takes a variety of

forms. Click here for a complete list.

• Might include modifier(s) to finish the thought.• Check out these examples:

Ground like hamburger,

boiling in swamp water,

seasoned with garlic, the tasty poodle simmered in a

pot!

Ground like hamburger,

boiling in swamp water,

seasoned with garlic, the tasty poodle simmered in a

pot!

Infinitive PhraseInfinitive Phrase• Begins with an infinitive [to + verb].• Might include modifier(s) to finish the

thought.• Here are some examples:

To eat another tasty poodle or to be satisfied with just that

one . . .

To eat another tasty poodle or to be satisfied with just that

one . . .

AppositiveAppositive• An appositive is a noun phrase that renames

another noun.• An appositive comes either right before or

right after the noun it describes.• Check out this example: The poodle, a

yapping fur ball, was not as tasty as

the human foot I snagged

last week.

The poodle, a yapping

fur ball, was not as tasty as

the human foot I snagged

last week.

Noun of Direct AddressNoun of Direct Address

• A noun of direct address is a name inserted into the sentence to indicate who is receiving the information.

• Removing the noun of direct address will not change the meaning of the sentence.

• Marvin• Mr. Trump• Dad• Sweetheart

Burp

Compare this sentence …Compare this sentence …

I have already eaten

Marvin.

I have already eaten

Marvin.

B u r p !B u r p !

… to this sentence.… to this sentence.No thank you! I have

already eaten, Marvin.

No thank you! I have already eaten,

Marvin.

AdverbAdverb• Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

• Many end in ly ; many others, however, do not.

• In terms of comma placement, worry only about those adverbs that act as transitions between sentences or between paragraphs.

• Check out these examples:

Unfortunately, poodles give me

indigestion.

Unfortunately, poodles give me

indigestion.That fact, however, will not

keep me from eating them.That fact, however, will not

keep me from eating them.

Subordinate ClauseSubordinate Clause• Begins with a subordinate conjunction, such as

although, because, if, when, while, etc. Click here for a complete list.

• Includes a subject and a verb.• Does not, however, express a complete

thought.• Check out these examples:

If you ever fall off a boat . . .

If you ever fall off a boat . . .

While I am swimming nearby . . .

While I am swimming nearby . . .

Speaker TagSpeaker Tag• Introduces a direct quotation.• Includes a subject and verb.• Check out this example:

Then my doctor said,

“Poodles are bad for your

health!”

Then my doctor said,

“Poodles are bad for your

health!”

Comma Tip 1Comma Tip 1• All introductory elements require a

comma when they are connected to a main clause that follows.

• The pattern looks like this:

Introductory element

Introductory element

+ , + main clause.main

clause.

• For more detailed information, consult the handout version of this slide.

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.

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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.

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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.

,

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.

,

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.

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,

Only one more sentence part to

learn!

Only one more sentence part to

learn!

Nonessential ClauseNonessential Clause• Begins with who, whoever, whom,

whomever, where, wherever, which, or whichever.

• Contains a subject and a verb.

• Check out this example:

I can still eat poodle

dinners, which I really enjoy, in

moderation.

I can still eat poodle

dinners, which I really enjoy, in

moderation.

Comma Tip 2Comma Tip 2

First part of the sentenceFirst part of the sentence + , +

interrupter interrupter rest of the sentence.rest of the sentence.+ , +

• All interrupters require a comma in front and behind when they break the flow of a complete sentence.

• The pattern looks like this:

• For more detailed information, consult the handout version of this slide.

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.

,,

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.

, ,

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."

,,

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

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

,,

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.

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Comma Tip 3Comma Tip 3

Main clauseMain

clause+ , + concluding

element.concluding

element.

• All concluding elements require a comma when they are connected at the end of a main clause.

• The pattern looks like this:

• For more detailed information, consult the handout version of this slide.

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.

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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.

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!

3. At Burger King, James tried to keep pace with Theodore who can eat a Whopper in thirty seconds flat.

3. At Burger King, James tried to keep pace with Theodore who can eat a Whopper in thirty seconds flat.

,

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. ”

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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.

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Comma Tip 4Comma Tip 4

Complete sentence Complete sentence + , + and

complete sentence.complete sentence.

itemitem + Ø + and + itemitem

itemitem itemitem itemitem+ , + and ++ , +

• Follow these rules when you use commas with and.

• For more detailed information, consult the handout version of this slide.

1. Tony wanted to order a pizza from Papa John's and some Peking duck from Lam's Garden.

1. Tony wanted to order a pizza from Papa John's and some Peking duck from Lam's Garden.

item + and + item =

no comma!

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.

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3. I don't know when to leave my credit card at home and when to say no to a Big Mac with fries.

3. I don't know when to leave my credit card at home and when to say no to a Big Mac with fries.

item + and + item = no

comma!

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

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

,

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.

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!

Comma Tip 5Comma Tip 5

The studentThe student + ø + essential clauseessential clause

+ ø + ran to his class.ran to his class.

RobertRobert + , + nonessential clausenonessential clause

+ , + ran to his class.ran to his class.

• Follow these rules when you use commas with nonessential clauses.

• For more detailed information, consult the handout version of this slide.

1. People who know their grammar rules shouldn't always correct those of us who don't.

1. People who know their grammar rules shouldn't always correct those of us who don't.

Essential clause = no

commas!

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.

,,

3. The basketball players whom I admire the most play for teams other than the Orlando Magic.

3. The basketball players whom I admire the most play for teams other than the Orlando Magic.

Essential clause = no

commas!

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.

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5. We watched a crazy kid on a skateboard weave through the heavy traffic on Orange Avenue. The kid who had no fear of death or litigation leaped a curb and crashed into a lawyer walking along the sidewalk.

5. We watched a crazy kid on a skateboard weave through the heavy traffic on Orange Avenue. The kid who had no fear of death or litigation leaped a curb and crashed into a lawyer walking along the sidewalk.

,,

Comma Tip 6Comma Tip 6

coordinate adjective

coordinate adjective + , +

coordinate adjective

coordinate adjective

noncoordinate adjective

noncoordinate adjective + ø +

noncoordinate adjective

noncoordinate adjective

• Follow these rules when you use commas with a series of adjectives.

• For more detailed information, consult the handout version of this slide.

1. Two cluttered computer tables and an unmade sagging bed fill Antonio's small bedroom.

1. Two cluttered computer tables and an unmade sagging bed fill Antonio's small bedroom.

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2. The cute soft frisky ferret will bite your fingers if you try to pick him up.

2. The cute soft frisky ferret will bite your fingers if you try to pick him up.

, ,

3. Michael's faded ragged New York Jets jacket was an inappropriate choice of clothing for his second interview at Sun Trust Bank.

3. Michael's faded ragged New York Jets jacket was an inappropriate choice of clothing for his second interview at Sun Trust Bank.

,

4. The hot spicy appetizing bowl of squid eyeball stew steamed on the clean shiny kitchen counter.

4. The hot spicy appetizing bowl of squid eyeball stew steamed on the clean shiny kitchen counter.

, ,

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5. A strange smell emanated from Barbara's blue disorganized book bag, which lay on the floor beside her desk.

5. A strange smell emanated from Barbara's blue disorganized book bag, which lay on the floor beside her desk.

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Comma Tip 7Comma Tip 7

Complete sentenceComplete sentence + , + so +

complete sentence.complete sentence.

Complete sentenceComplete sentence + ø + so that +

subordinate clause.subordinate clause.

• Follow these rules with so and so that or so [that implied].

• For more detailed information, consult the handout version of this slide.

1. Robbie bought a small microwave for his first apartment so he could cook popcorn and macaroni and cheese, the only meals he could afford.

1. Robbie bought a small microwave for his first apartment so he could cook popcorn and macaroni and cheese, the only meals he could afford.

Implied that after so = no

comma!

2. Sylvia wore flat shoes on her date with Tony so she wouldn’t intimidate this short young man with her height.

2. Sylvia wore flat shoes on her date with Tony so she wouldn’t intimidate this short young man with her height.

Implied that after so = no

comma!

3. Yuko bought a small aquarium and some goldfish so her apartment wouldn’t feel so lonely.

3. Yuko bought a small aquarium and some goldfish so her apartment wouldn’t feel so lonely.

Implied that after so = no

comma!

4. Patrick always carries an English handbook with him, even to basketball games so that he can check other people’s grammar wherever he goes.

4. Patrick always carries an English handbook with him, even to basketball games so that he can check other people’s grammar wherever he goes.

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5. Rachel neglected to make her car payment three months in a row so she must hide her Honda Civic in friends’ garages in an attempt to foil the repo man.

5. Rachel neglected to make her car payment three months in a row so she must hide her Honda Civic in friends’ garages in an attempt to foil the repo man.

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The END.The END.