Conquering the Comma

What is a Comma? Commas break up sentences in order help to clarify meaning for the reader. It is NOT necessarily placed whenever you would want to pause when speaking the sentence aloud.

Clauses and Phrases A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb that complement each other. A phrase is a group of words that does not contain a subject or a verb that complement each other.

Sentence Structure: Independent Clause A complete sentence has two components, a subject and a verb. The subject and verb must form a complete thought to be considered an independent clause. The couple dances. subject (S) verb (v)

Sentence Structure: Compound Sentence A sentence that contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction is called a compound sentence. A conjunction joins words, phrases, and clauses together in a sentence. Conjunctions –for –and –nor –but –or –yet –so F A N B O Y S

Compound Sentences The comma in a compound sentence is placed before the coordinating conjunction. S V Conj. S V Andy built a snowman, and Jeff played with his dog.

Compound Sentence Where would you place the comma in the following sentence? S V S Dan struggled with his homework so his father V helped him.

A Common Error: The Comma Splice A comma splice is an error in which two independent clauses are joined by a comma. S V Dan struggled with his homework, his S V father helped him.

To Correct a Comma Splice Insert a conjunction between the two independent clauses. Start a new sentence. Insert a semi-colon between the two independent clauses (only in cases where the independent clauses are closely related in topic).

To Correct a Comma Splice S V Conj. Dan struggled with his homework, so his S V father helped him.

To Correct a Comma Splice S V Dan struggled with his homework. His S V father helped him.

To Correct a Comma Splice S V Dan struggled with his homework; his S V father helped him.

Comma Splice Practice How would you correct the following? This semester I am taking calculus physics and economics. Calculus is my best subject, I am certain I will get an A. Although I am very busy, I still find time to have fun. Last weekend my brother visited me and we went to a football game a party and a rock concert.

Sentence Structure: Dependent Clause A dependent clause contains a subject and verb, but the clause cannot stand independently. Dependent clauses can often be identified by the use of dependent clause markers. Some dependent clause markers: because since when while until if as though although unless after before once whether

Sentence Structure: Dependent Phrases & Clauses Dependent phrases and clauses help to clarify and add detail to an independent clause. Dependent clauses may appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.

Sentence Structure: Introductory Clause When a dependent clause is placed at the beginning of a sentence, place a comma between the independent clause and the dependent clause. Dep. clause S V Before he took the test, Dan struggled with Conj. S V his homework, so his father helped him.

Introductory Clause Where would you place the comma in the following example? S V Because it was raining we decided to go to the movies.

Introductory Clause Where would you place the comma in the following example? Introductory clause S V Because it was raining, we decided to go to the movies.

No Comma When a dependent clause is located after an independent clause, Do not place a comma between the two. S V We decided to go to the movies because we were bored.

Introductory Phrase The same rules we use for introductory clauses apply to introductory phrases. A comma must set off the introductory phrase. These phrases give context for the action of the clauses they introduce. Examples: To stay in shape, you should exercise routinely. Before leaving, she threw a fit. Despite feeling ill, I went to work.

Series Place commas in a sentence to divide items in a list. The commas will help the reader to avoid confusion. The comma before the conjunction is generally required, but it can be omitted if there is no possibility of confusion.

Series Consider the difference in the following: Last month, Alex dated Mary Ann Lee and Kim. Last month, Alex dated Mary, Ann, Lee, and Kim. Last month, Alex dated Mary Ann, Lee, and Kim. How many women did Alex date?

Series Commas should be placed in series of words, phrases, or clauses. Place commas in the following sentences: Martina brushed her hair put on her pajamas, and went to bed. She fell asleep and dreamed that she was a princess she kissed a frog and she rescued her prince.

Numbers Commas will also be used to in sets of numbers to set off groups of three digits. Exmaples: 999,999 1,000,000 51,456,120 1,

Adjectives Use commas to separate adjectives that provide an equal description of a noun. The Test: Can you put “and” between the adjectives? Can they be described in reverse order? If so, use a comma. Small, cozy house | cute, soft kittens | a cranky, bald man

Contrasting Phrases Contrasting Expressions: “This, not that” Mighty Mouse, not Mickey Mouse, is a super hero. I want this shirt, not that one. Brooklyn, not LA, is the original home of the Dodgers.

Addresses oUse commas in addresses to separate the street address from the city and the city from the state or country. oThe new restaurant is at 3020 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. oWhen an address that includes commas falls in the middle of a sentence, place a comma after the state or country. oThe annual gem show in Franklin, North Carolina, is world famous.

Dates oUse commas to separate the day of the week from the month and the day of the month from the year. oI got my first job on Monday, January 28, oWhen a date that includes commas falls in the middle of a sentence, place a comma after the date. oAugust 30, 2004, was our first day of school.

Exit Slip Type complete sentences that use commas properly in the following cases: Dates Addresses Compound Sentences Introductory Clauses Introductory Phrases Adjectives Numbers Series

Homework Find or create in your Personal Narrative one correctly punctuated compound sentence that uses a comma properly. Highlight this in red and label it “Compound Sentence” by commenting on it. Find or create in your Personal Narrative one correctly punctuated sentence with an introductory clause. You should also highlight this in red. Label it “Introductory Clause. Finally do the same for an introductory phrase. Due: Tuesday, January 25, 2014

Sentence Structure: Essential Phrases and Clauses An essential clause or phrase is used to modify a noun. It also adds information that is critical to the meaning of the sentence such as distinguishing one item from other similar ones. Essential clauses are NOT bracketed by commas. S essential phrase V The people who work in my office are loud.

Sentence Structure: Essential Phrases and Clauses The word “that” is almost always an indicator of an essential phrase or clause. Sessential V The tiramisu that I had at Joe’s was great.

Sentence Structure: Nonessential Phrases & Clauses A nonessential phrase or clause adds extra information to a sentence. This information can be eliminated from the sentence without jeopardizing the meaning of the sentence or confusing the audience Always place commas around nonessential phrases and clauses.

Sentence Structure: Nonessential Phrases & Clauses Even without the phrase the sentence still makes sense: My brother plans to throw a party. S non-essential V My brother, who lives across town, plans to throw a party.

Sentence Structure: Nonessential Phrases & Clauses Use commas to set off additional information. S V Steve said that he would propose to me on non-essential Valentine’s Day, which is my favorite holiday.

Appositive An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it. It is a nonessential phrasenounnoun phrase The insect, a cockroach, is crawling across the kitchen table. The insect, a large cockroach, is crawling across the kitchen table. The insect, a large cockroach with hairy legs, is crawling across the kitchen table. The insect, a large, hairy-legged cockroach that has spied my bowl of oatmeal, is crawling across the kitchen table.

Appositive Punctuate the appositive correctly. The important point to remember is that a nonessential appositive is always separated from the rest of the sentence with comma(s). When the appositive begins the sentence, it looks like this: A hot-tempered tennis player, Robbie charged the umpire and tried to crack the poor man's skull with a racket. When the appositive interrupts the sentence, it looks like this: Robbie, a hot-tempered tennis player, charged the umpire and tried to crack the poor man's skull with a racket. And when the appositive ends the sentence, it looks like this: Upset by the bad call, the crowd cheered Robbie, a hot-tempered tennis player who charged the umpire and tried to crack the poor man's skull with a racket.

Free Modifiers Free modifiersdo not directly connect to or modify any specific word in the rest of the sentence; instead, they modify the entire sentence, adding information. They are always treated as similar to appositives and are set off from the rest of the sentence with a comma or a pair of commas Examples: Their reputation as winners secured by victory, the New York Liberty charged into the semifinals. The season nearly finished, Rebecca Lobo and Sophie Witherspoon emerged as true leaders. The two superstars signed autographs into the night, their faces beaming happily.

Free Modifier Free modifiers can be placed anywhere in the sentence since they modify a relationship or idea the sentence focuses on, not a specific item or action. Examples: Crystal stayed up all night reading a book, enjoying every minute of it. Enjoying every minute of it, Crystal stayed up all night reading a book. Crystal, enjoying every minute of it, stayed up all night reading a book.

Transitional Adverbs Transitional Adverbs: therefore, however, nevertheless, furthermore. Hint: any time you see these four words, put commas around them. –Nevertheless, the movie made money. –The actors, therefore, became famous. –The cats, however, escaped through the open door.

Direct Address When addressing someone directly, a comma must separate the audience from the rest of the sentence. How does a comma change the meaning of the two sentences below? Let’s eat, Grandpa! Let’s eat Grandpa! Direct addresses can come in the middle of a sentence. Example: Make sure, Joe, to use commas.

Interjections An introductory interjection is a short exclamation that is placed at the beginning of a sentence. Examples: Hi, how are you? Yes, we'll be attending the concert. Oh, so that's what happened. Well, let's see now. But interjections don't always appear at the beginning of a sentence. They can sometimes appear at the end of a sentence, too. Here, the comma will precede the interjection. I missed the bus, darn it all! Ski season is over, alas.

Asides In dramatic narratives, a speaker will sometimes speak directly to the audience. Such moments need to be set off with commas. Examples: I do not, you see, believe in ghosts. There, I tell you in confidence, will be a fire drill.

before the first element of a series or after the last. When school ends, I am going to, sleep late every Saturday, go out every Friday, and forget about commas for at least a day. Sleeping, partying, and ignoring commas, sounds pretty good to me. Do NOT use commas... X X

o between a subject and its verb. The computer at the end of the table, doesn’t seem to be working. Do NOT use commas... X

o before FANBOYS when the FANBOYS are not connecting two complete sentences. o Workbook exercises, and grammar are my two favorite activities. o There’s nothing more exciting than getting up early in the morning, and driving to school. To check the rule, look on both sides of the FANBOYS conjunction used to see if you can make two sentences. In this case, look at the word and to see if there is a sentence on either side. If not, then no comma should be there. Do NOT use commas... X X

before a group of words beginning with that. We all said, that we understand commas. Please give us the test, that has the easiest questions. X X

Exit Slip Create Sentences that use commas correctly in the following instances: Asides Direct Address Essential Phrase/Clause Appositive Free Modifier Interjections Transitional Adverbs

Homework Find or create one sentence in your Personal Narrative with an essential clause or phrase. Make sure it is properly punctuated. Highlight this as red and label it “Essential Phrase/Clause” by commenting on it. Find or create one sentence in your Personal Narrative with a nonessential appositive. Label and highlight it in the same way. Finally check all of your transitions to make sure they properly punctuated. Due Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2014

Additional Help Purdue University Writing Lab, Heavilon 226 Check our web site: brief questions:

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