Commas, Ellipses, and Dashes ‘Da Rulez

Commas A punctuation mark (,) indicating a pause between parts of a sentence. It is also used to separate items in a list and to mark the place of thousands in a large numeral. In the next few slides you will be seeing some rules on how to use a comma.

Commas Rule #1 You can use a comma to separate the elements in a series. (three or more things). Use a comma between all items in a series including the last two. Examples: He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to first base. She went to the park, the store, and to the pool.

Commas Rule #2 Use a comma + a little conjunctions to connect two independent clauses. Independent clauses are sentences that can stand by themselves. You can remember these conjunctions by FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Examples: He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base. They smell really bad, so they will be easy to find.

Commas Rule #3 You are supposed to use a comma to set off parenthetical elements. By parenthetical element, I mean a part of a sentence that can be removed, without hurting the actual sentence. These elements are sometimes called “added information”. Example: “The founders of the bridge, which spans the Savannah river, is falling down.

Warning: There may be more than 1. Practice Time!! For these 5 sentences put the comma where it is supposed to go. Warning: There may be more than 1. Tom wanted to buy a hamburger but he didn’t have any money. I bought apples tomatoes and carrots. My hamster loves to play so I gave him a ball. Looking at the house which is on Savannah street I felt a pang of sadness. Sally Davis and Sam went to the park.

Answers A comma comes before but. A comma comes after apples and tomatoes. A comma comes before so. A comma comes before which and after street. A comma commas after Sally and Davis.

Dashes A mark of punctuation (-) used to set off a word or phrase after an independent clause or to set of words, phrases, or clauses that interrupt a sentence (parenthetical remark) In the next few slides you will learn the rules that refer to dashes.

Dashes #1 They indicate an interruption, or an abrupt change or thought. Example: Without dash: You are the friend, the only friend, who offered to help me. With dash: You are the friend – the only friend – who offered to help me.

Dashes Rule #2 Words and phrases between dashes are not generally part of the subject. Example: Joe – and his trusty mutt – was always welcome.

Dashes #3 Dashes replace otherwise required punctuation. Example: Without dash: The man from Ames, Iowa, arrived. With dash: The man – he was from Ames, Iowa – arrived.

Practice time!!! Replace the comma, semicolon, etc., with a dash at the appropriate place. Warning: Some commas might not need a dash! I pay the bills; she has all the fun. I wish you would…oh, never mind. The May 1, 2013, edition of the Ames Sentinel arrived in June. The fairgrounds, cold and wet in the October rain, were deserted Nettie, her chin held high, walked out into the storm.

Answers I pay the bills – she has all the fun. I wish you would – oh, never mind. The May 1, 2013 – edition of the Ames Sentinel – arrived in June. The fairgrounds – cold and wet in the October rain – were deserted Nettie – her chin held high – walked out into the storm.

Ellipsis The ellipsis looks like this: “….”. Some people say, “Dot, Dot, Dot.” The plural of ellipsis is ellipsēs. It can be found in the middle of the sentence or at the end. Reasons to use an ellipsis will be found in the next few slides

Ellipsis It is a pause that indicates the passage of time. Example: Marion cried and cried…and cried some more.

Ellipsis Another reason to use an ellipsis is because you have an unfinished thought or utterance in dialogue. Example: “I’ve been thinking…” Sandra said, absentmindedly.

Ellipsis Here are some questions that you can ask yourself, when writing a sentence with an ellipsis. 1. Will my pause show the passage of time or some unfinished thought? 2. Will the pause appear in the middle of a sentence or at the end of an unfinished thought? 3. Insert the ellipsis leaving spaces on either side of the ellipsis in mid-sentence or just before the ellipsis at the sentence end.

Practice problems Add the ellipsis where it is supposed to go. Hint: don’t forget to remember the questions in the last slide! Days later we finally heard back from the office. “I was wondering.” stammered Phillip. If only she had oh it doesn’t matter now. I didn’t mean to” said Sally She walked and walked and walked some more.

Answers Days later … we finally heard back from the office. “I was wondering …” stammered Phillip. If only she had … oh it doesn’t matter now. I didn’t mean to …” said Sally She walked and walked…. and walked some more.

Test!!! Now you will have a test on all 3 of the things you learned in this PowerPoint. Good Luck!!! For this you will put punctuation for either a comma, dash, or ellipsis. 1. Carlos wants to visit Paris Italy Germany and China. 2. Can you guess why Rhode Island’s most common nickname though it is unofficial is Little Rhody. 3. “I am sorry” whispered Dionard. 4. If I figured out oh never mind. 5. Mr. Tanner my teacher is wearing a blue shirt. 6. He said “Mr. Tanner you are very nice.” 7.Olivia, my best friend, moved to New York. 8. Most voters I’m sure you’ll agree with me want to be represented by someone to whom they can relate. 9. We will go to the restaurant now for we are very hungry. 10. Day later we finally got the mail. 11. Ms. Tan, Amelia’s mom, has decided to pursue a degree in a field she find fascinating micro-biology. 12. She swam and swam and swam some more. 13. “Excuse me” stammered Jane. 14. Until I reach my goal I will not stop working. 15. Joel’s business, he takes care of pets, is doing quite well.

Answers 1. Carlos wants to visit Paris, Italy, Germany, and China. 2. Can you guess why Rhode Island’s most common nickname – though it is unofficial is Little Rhody. 3. “I am sorry …” whispered Dionard. 4. If I figured out … oh never mind. 5. Mr. Tanner – my teacher, is wearing a blue shirt. 6. He said, “Mr. Tanner you are very nice.” 8. Most voters – I’m sure you’ll agree with me – want to be represented by someone to whom they can relate. 9. We will go to the restaurant now, for we are very hungry 10. Days later … we finally got the mail. 11. Ms. Tan – Amelia’s mom – has decided to pursue a degree in a field she find fascinating micro-biology. 12. She swam and swam … and swam some more. 13. Excuse me …” stammered Jane. 14. Until I reach my goal, I will not stop working 15. Joel’s business – he takes care of pets – is doing quite well.