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Comma Usage
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Objective
To learn how to use commasaccurately and effectively.
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Comma Concept #1: Series
Comma Concept 1a: SeriesList
Use commas to separatethree or more words,
phrases, or clauses in aseries.
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Examples of 1a
I read the articles, extracts,and books for my final exam.
Mexico had been ruled bythe Spanish, by the
Mexicans, and by the French.
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Examples of 1a
The bank filled quickly withpeople who transferred their
accounts, who cashed checks,and who opened safe-deposit
boxes.
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Try these:
The shirt came in small medium and large.
Please wash the dishes fold the laundry and
rake the leaves.
Im going to the movies with Angela VanessaMike and Sarah.
I dont like squash eggplant or zucchinibecause of their squishy textures.
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Answers:
The shirt came in small, medium, and large.
Please wash the dishes, fold the laundry, and
rake the leaves.
Im going to the movies with Angela, Vanessa,Mike, and Sarah.
I dont like squash, eggplant, or zucchinibecause of their squishy textures.
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Examples of 1b
Wild, beautiful scenery
Detailed, precise instructions
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What are adjectives of equalrank?
To determine if commas areneeded, ask yourself two
questions:1. Can you put the word and
between the adjectives andstill have the sentenceretain its exact meaning?
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The teacher left detailed
and precise instructions forthe substitute. Yes, this works!
The teacher left precise,detailed instructions for the
substitute. Yes, this works!
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If the answer to bothquestions is no, then no
comma is needed. This isConcept 1c.
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Comma Concept 1c: Series
AdjectiveThe No-No Rule
Do not use commas toseparate adjectives thatmust stay in a specific order.
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Examples of 1c
Rigid social classes
Few short hours
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How do I know if adjectives muststay in a specific order?
To determine if commas areneeded, ask yourself two
questions:1. Can you put the word and
between the adjectives andstill have the sentenceretain its exact meaning?
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2. Can you switch theadjectives and still have asentence that sounds
grammatically correct?If the answer to bothquestions is no, then NO, acomma is not needed toseparate the adjectives.
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Ancient Rome had rigid andsocial classes.
This does not work! Ancient Rome had social rigid
classes.
This does not work!
The adjectives must go in a
certain order, therefore, nocomma is needed. Rome had rigid social classes.
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Try these:
Plump healthy wife
Great raging river
New red sports car
Third mid-life crisis
Thick black hair
Lofty dignifiedwoman
Raging howling rivers
Loud whining voice Experienced subway
rider
Five tiny wafers
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Answers:
Plump, healthy wife
Great, raging river
New, red sports car
Third mid-life crisis
Thick, black hair
Lofty, dignifiedwoman
Raging, howling rivers
Loud, whining voice Experienced subway
rider
Five, tiny wafers
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Comma Concept #2:
Compound SentenceFANBOYSFor
AndNorButOrYet
So (but not so that)
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Comma Concept #2:
Compound Sentence Use a comma before a
coordinating conjunction(FANBOYS) to separate two
independent clauses in acompound sentence.
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Examples of Concept 2
We went to the store, andwe went to the movies.
We started to feelraindrops, so we went inside.
I am studying so (that) I cangraduate. *No comma needed
h
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Try these:Make a compound sentence by adding a comma
and a conjunction (FANBOYS)
He is studying psychology. He reallyenjoys it.
She doesnt like going to the gym. Shedoesnt like running.
George didnt want to see the movie. Hewent anyway.
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Answers:Make a compound sentence by adding a comma
and a conjunction (FANBOYS)
He is studying psychology, and he reallyenjoys it.
She doesnt like going to the gym, nordoes she like running.
George didnt want to see the movie,but he went anyway.
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More Practice:Commas in a series
I like red green and blue.
I have to walk the dog feed the fish andcook dinner.
The dinner he prepared included spicyIndian food rice bread and hot tea.
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More Practice:Yes-Yes / No-No Rule
big broken desk
large teacher desk
ugly bald puppies
three ugly puppies
summer theater troupe
snowy cold winter day
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W d li d i i
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Words listed in a series:
Rule #1a Exception
If the items have commas within them, thencommas are no longer enough to separate thoseitems; now youll need a semicolon to satisfy rule
2 I asked Mr. Hardy, the art teacher; Mrs.
Jefferson, the math teacher; and Ms. Gout, thecrazy lady in the cafeteria.
Use semicolons between the individual people or thiswill look like a list of six people, not three.
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Rule 3: Introductory Elements
Use a comma after an introductory phrase
or clause at the beginning of a sentence.
Separates unnecessary info from mainsentences
Introductory Words No, yes, thankfully,finally, however, well, oh, etc.
Examples:Thankfully, Joe studied hard.
No, I will not order the magazine from you.
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Rule 3: Introductory
Introductory phrases / clauses: How do
you know if the phrase / clause isunessential?
Check: Cover any part of the sentence w/
your finger. If the sentence no longermakes sense, then what youre covering isessential!
Examples: When World War II ended, shopping centers
became popular.
.
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Try these:Introductory Elements
Of course we can get that printed!
Because she likes cheese she moved toWisconsin.
Well I think we should ask for help.
At night in the desert the temperature
falls rapidly. To keep strong bones make sure to eat
calcium rich foods.
Rule #4: Interrupters
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Rule #4: Interrupters(aka parenthetical expressions)
Separate extra, non-essential material from the main
sentence that is interrupting the flow of the sentence.Like speed bumps you have to slow down for them, then youcan go back to normal speed afterwards.
These are the kinds of words, phrases etc. that couldbe put into parentheses
If item is removed, make sure you still have acomplete sentence.
Put a comma on either end of the interrupter, unless atthe beginning of the sentence.
T th
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Try these:Interrupters
Example: My jacket, Bob, is on the couch.Person you are talking to is not necessary to sentence.
That however is not my problem.
And my fingernails as a result are still sticky. It was my brother not me who painted the cat.
I went with my cousins even though I knew better
to play in the junkyard.
The car lost one wheel therefore it went into theditch.
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Rule #6: Essential/Non-essential Elements
1. When a noun or pronoun is followed immediately
by a description, you must ask if it is necessary orextra info.
- If it is ESSENTIAL, then you do NOT need commas
- If it is NOT ESSENTIAL, then you NEED commasCheck: Test if it is essential by taking the phrase out.
If the sentence makes sense, then the phrase isNOT essential.
1. No Comma- The car that is parked across the street isready.
2. Yes Comma My new car, which is parked across thestreet, is ready.
2.
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Rule #6: Essential/Non-essential Elements
2. If the noun/pronoun is fairly specific, thendescription is probably NOT essential.
3. If the noun/pronoun is fairly general, thenthe description is probably essential, and
no commas should be used.
a. The girl who is sitting near the windowlaughed at me.
b. Martha, who is sitting near the window,laughed at me.
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Try these1. My friend do you know how malls are
run?2. After World War II ended American
became obsessed with the shopping
center.3. Attracting businesses of all kinds the
shopping center industry is very
profitable.4. We will go Marge as soon as your father
arrives.
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Answers1. My friend, do you know how malls are
run?2. After World War II ended, American
became obsessed with the shopping
center.3. Attracting businesses of all kinds, the
shopping center industry is very
profitable.4. We will go, Marge, as soon as your
father arrives.
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Rule 7: Dates, Places, and Titles1. Date
a. After the day of the weekb. After datec. After year if sentence continuesd. Example: Monday, October 27, 2008
2. Geographical Namea. Between the city and a state
- Albuquerque, NM- Seattle, WA
b. Between the state and the rest of thesentence- Bothell, Washington, is the town that I grew
up in.
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Rule 7: cont.
3. Name with a Title
a. after the name, before the title
- John Smith, M.D.
b. after the title if the sentence continues
- John Smith, M.D., discussed safe ways
to lose weight
c. Other titles
- Sr., Inc., III, IV, etc.
R l 8 Mi ll
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Rule 8: Miscellaneous1. Address (if in a sentence)
a. after the street # and nameb. after the city
c. after the zip code if the sentence continues
Example: I used to live at 611 N. 50
th
St., Seattle,Washington, 98103.
2. Address on an Envelope
Ms. Fischer
611 N. 50th St.
Seattle, WA 98103
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Salutations/Closings, Numbers
Letters
Use comma after the salutation
Dear Mom, Dear Aunt Sally,
Use commas after the closing
Sincerely, Yours truly, Your friend,
Numbers
After every three numbers if more than 3
Example: 31, 654 envelopes, 1, 759, 234people in the country
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Quotes
Separate a direct quotation from the rest
of the sentence.
Examples:
The guest asked, Do you know of anynearby supermarkets that are open allnight?
If you dont mind a little drive, the hostsaid, you will find one about three milesdown the road.
T th
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Try these
1. In a few minutes laughed Julio youll
know the surprise.2. Dear Peter
3. John Briggs Jr. inherited his fathers
business.
4. In spring planting begins.
5. On June 20 1793 Eli Whitney applied fora patent for his cotton gin.
Ans ers
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Answers
1. In a few minutes, laughed Julio, youll
know the surprise.
2. Dear Peter,
3. John Briggs, Jr., inherited his fathers
business.
4. In spring, planting begins.
5. On June 20, 1793, Eli Whitney appliedfor a patent for his cotton gin.
R i E i
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Review Exercise1. Entry-level salaries at that factory are
$14000 a year.2. There are five houses on that street now
not that the two of you remember.
3. I shoveled snow all morning and now Iam tired.
4. What time is dinner Mom?
5. Dont you think Ellen that we need morepunch?
Cont
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Cont.
6. Jeremy a somewhat retiring person
surprised us all by winning the debate.7. In the south wing the guide continued
were the familys private living quarters.
8. Phils new address is 17026 Parker CourtDover Delaware 19901.
9. You must nevertheless do the
assignments.
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Homework
Write a letter to a friend of yours or an imaginaryfriend (12-15 sentences)
Address you are writing from (heading w/date)
Salutation and Closing
3 Sents. one sentence each for rules 1-3(compound sent, series, adjectives)
3 Sents. introductory material, parenthetical ornonessential expressions (any combo of the three)
3 examples of any of these comma uses: dates,geographic names, names with titles, directquotations, large numbers