By Ellyn Ball and Lilly Jenkins Commas By Ellyn Ball and Lilly Jenkins

Commas While an end mark signals a full stop, a comma signals a brief pause. It may be used to separate basic elements in a sentence or to set off elements added to a sentence. Many people use more commas than are necessary, while others use fewer than they should. To avoid overuse or underuse of commas, include a comma in your writing only when a specific rule applies.

Commas with Compound Sentences A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined by one of the following coordinating conjunctions (and, but, for, nor, or, so and yet). Use a comma before the conjunction to separate two independent clauses in a compound sentence. Marco Polo was fascinated with China, and he took home many treasures. He told Italian friends about China, but they did not believe his stories.

Commas with Compound Sentences Remember to use a comma before a conjunction only when there are complete thoughts on both sides of the conjunction. Do not use a comma when there is just a word, phrase or subordinate clause on either side of the conjunction. Words: Polo visited cities and farming areas. Phrases: The Chinese established systems for delivering and for carrying goods. Subordinate clauses: Kublai Khan was a man who ruled strictly but who could also be kind.

Commas Between Items in a Series When three or more similar items appear in a series, commas are needed to separate them. Series of words: The beverages included fruit juice, ginger ale, and hot tea. Series of phrases: Ceramic vases are placed on the table, on the mantel, and on the windowsill. Series of clauses: We needed to know where we would catch the plane, when it would leave, and how much baggage we were allowed. One exception to the rule, is no comma is needed if each item is separated by a conjunction.

Commas Between Adjectives Use commas to separate adjectives of equal rank. Two methods can be used to help decide whether two or more adjectives are of equal rank. First, if the word and can be placed between the adjectives without changing the meaning of the sentence, then the adjectives are of equal rank. Second, if the order of the adjectives can be changed, then they are equal. Example: Flavorful, spicy, nutritious soups are common in Chinese cuisine.

Commas Between Adjectives Do not use commas to separate adjectives that must stay on a specific order. Example: I read descriptions of several ancient temples in my Social Studies book. As you can see the adjectives in that sentence cannot be separated by and, and their order cannot be changed. A comma should never be used to separate the last adjective in a series from the noun it modifies. Example: An efficient , interesting, helpful guide led our tour.

Using Commas to Set Off Added Elements. Commas are used not only to separate similar kinds of words and groups but also to set off- that is, set apart-certain parts of a sentence from the rest. Remember that commas should be used in writing only when a specific rule applies. Sometimes, a sentence begins with introductory material. Generally, the extra word or words are set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma.

Commas After Introductory Material

Commas With Parenthetical Expression A parenthetical expression is a word or phrase that is not essential to the rest of the sentence. These words or phrases generally add extra information to the basic sentence. Use commas to set of parenthetical expressions. Parenthetical expression are sometimes written at the beginning of a sentence as introductory material, however they may also be written in the middle or at the end of a sentence. If a parenthetical expression is wrote in the middle of a sentence it will need a comma before it and a comma after it to set it off. If it falls at the beginning or at the end only one comma is needed.

Commas With Parenthetical Expression.

Commas With Nonessential Expression It is sometimes difficult to decide when to set off materials with commas. Knowing whether a word, phrase or clause is essential or nonessential to the meaning of a sentence helps. Use commas to set off nonessential expressions. Do not set off essential material with commas. Notice that each nonessential expression in the chart (on the next slide) can be left out without changing the meaning of the sentence.

Commas With Nonessential Expression Appositives and Appositive Phrases Essential The Chinese thinker Confuses taught the importance of traditions Nonessential Confucius, a Chinese thinker, taught the importance of tradition. Participial Phrases Essential The man leading a European expedition to China was Marco Polo. Nonessential Marco polo, leading a European expedition to China, arrived there in 1275. Adjective Clauses Essential The invaders who swept into China in the 1200’s ruled with an iron hand. Nonessential The Mongol's, who swept into China in 1200’s, ruled with an iron hand.

Commas in Special Situations The next rule covers the use of commas in salutations and closings in letters. Use a comma after salutations in a personal letter and after the closing in all letters. Examples: Salutations: Dear Timmy, My dear Ann, Closings: With affection, Sincerely, Using commas according to the following rule make it easier to read large numbers. With numbers of more than three digits, add a comma before every third digit, counting from the right. Example: 2,532 bricks a population of 2,560,785 82,471,908 gains of salt *** NO commas should be used in zip codes, telephone numbers, page numbers or serial numbers. serial number: 402 36 4113

Commas in Special Situations A final use of the comma is to show where a direct quotation begins and ends. The placement of the comma depends upon the “he said/she said” part of the sentence. Examples: Gordon murmured with a yawn, “This is a dull movie.” “I thought,” Lydia said, “that you liked martial arts movies.” “It’s the third time I’ve seen this one,” Gordon replied.

You Do On the left side of your interactive notebook, list one of each kind of comma learned today (do not use any examples given today). Make sure to illustrate and color code.