The English House of Commas Presents

Commas set off the items of a series (three or more things), including the last two. My favorite uses of the Internet are sending , surfing the Web, and researching. You may have learned that this comma is not necessary.

But sometimes the last two items in your series will glom into one if you don’t use the so-called serial comma. Our newspaper has editors for news, sports, features and art.,

Write a example: Of a sentence with a list that needs to be separated by commas. DON’T PUT THE COMMAS IN IT. Give it to someone next to you. They will put the commas in. Evaluate their work and correct any errors

So.... Chunk together the meaning in the sentence and punctuate it. Chunk it and Punk it.

We found oil in the water in the sand under the rocks and later in our shoes.,,, For breakfast we had a choice of pancakes oatmeal sausage or bacon and eggs.,,,

“Chunk it and Punk it.”

Use a comma and a conjunction (fanboys) to separate two independent clauses. The public seems eager for some kind of gun control legislation, but the congress is too timid to enact any truly effective measures.

If the two independent clauses are brief and nicely balanced, this comma may be omitted, but the comma is always correct. Our team is very good but their team is better.

Write a example: Of a compound sentence. Make sure you have two independent clauses and a conjunction DON’T PUT THE COMMAS IN IT. Give it to someone next to you. They will put the commas in. Evaluate their work and correct any errors

“Chunk it and Punk it.”

Use a comma to set off introductory elements. Anxious about the upcoming winter, settlers began to bicker among themselves about supplies. In the winter of 1644, nearly half the settlers died of starvation or exposure.

I can baby-sit tonight or I will watch your children tomorrow., My dad enjoys swimming and fishing and he also likes to ski in the winter.,

If the introductory element is brief and the sentence can be read easily without the comma, it can be omitted. In 1649 the settlers abandoned their initial outpost.

Practice using commas in introductory elements To apply for the medical magnet program you must fill out an application., Yes your speech was wonderful.,

In addition to taking Spanish next year you must take humanities., Finally the desert received some rain.,

Write a example: Of a sentence with an introductory element that requires a comma. DON’T PUT THE COMMAS IN IT. Give it to someone next to you. They will put the commas in. Evaluate their work and correct any errors

“Chunk it and Punk it.”

Use a comma to separate adjectives. adjectives Coaches grew weary of running practices in the drafty, dreary, dilapidated gymnasium.

The designs for an expensive modern gym should make them happy.,

If you can put a but or an and between the adjectives, you should put a comma between them. expensive and modern = expensive, modern But not “a little and old house.” “A little old house” is correct.

Our bus began to emit black greasy smoke., Marlene was sporting a flashy new pair of orange go-go boots., Orange and go-go boots? naw...

They were looking for something practical, not luxurious. Use a comma to set off elements that express a contrast or a turn in the sentence. The house was cute, but too expensive for the newlyweds.

I’m a human being here not a computer. He’s a gifted musician yet somewhat touchy. The ham was delicious if somewhat salty.,,,

Write a example: Of a sentence with multiple adjectives back to back. DON’T PUT THE COMMAS IN IT. Give it to someone next to you. They will put the commas in. Evaluate their work and correct any errors

“Chunk it and Punk it.”

The conference was originally set for Geneva, Switzerland, but was then rescheduled for Chicago, Illinois. Use a comma to set off states and countries, years (in a full date), titles, etc.

Their wedding date was set for August in the college chapel in Newton Massachusetts.,, Tashonda Klondike Chair of the Ways and Means Committee submitted the committee’s final report.,,,

Frost’s poem “Fire and Ice” begins with the lines “Some say the world will end in fire, / Some say in ice.” Use a comma to set off quoted language.quoted language “Fire when ready Jones ” the Admiral said.,,,

“We can’t see into the future ” said the President “but we have to prepare for it nonetheless.”,,

Write a example: Of a sentence with a quote that requires a comma. Use this format. _______ said “ “___________________” DON’T PUT THE COMMAS IN IT. Give it to someone next to you. They will put the commas in. Evaluate their work and correct any errors

This is the most difficult comma rule. A parenthetical element is “added information,” something that can be removed from a sentence without changing the meaning of that sentence. Use a comma to set off parenthetical elements.arenthetical elements

Deciding what is “added information” and what is essential is sometimes confusing.

Parenthetical elements: Robert Frost, perhaps America’s most beloved poet, died when he was 88. When an appositive phrase can be removed from a sentence without changing its meaning or making it ambiguous:appositive phrase

Frankly, it doesn’t seem to matter. Well I’m not sure I’d like wild moose for dinner tonight Dear.,, Mathilde the greedy little French housewife in “The Necklace” was actually a Cinderella in reverse.,,

Write a example: Of a sentence with an appositive phrase. Make sure it is still a sentence without the phrase! DON’T PUT THE COMMAS IN IT. Give it to someone next to you. They will put the commas in. Evaluate their work and correct any errors

“Chunk it and Punk it.”

An addressed person’s (or people’s) name is always parenthetical:addressed person’s (or people’s) name I am warning you, good citizens of Hartford, this vote is crucial to the future of our city. Of course Dad I’d love to help clean the garage this weekend.,,

One more parenthetical element: Excuse me, but there are, of course, many points of view that we must consider before voting. An interjection is treated as a parenthetical element:

Do you know Carol how much the CD’s are at Circuit City? Do you know, Carol, how much the CD’s are at Circuit City?

Baseball my favorite sport is being offered as a PE course. Baseball, my favorite sport, is being offered as a PE course.

My mother as a matter of fact graduated from high school at the age of fifteen. My mother, as a matter of fact, graduated from high school at the age of fifteen.

Write a example: Of a sentence with an interjection. Make sure it’s still a sentence without the interjection. DON’T PUT THE COMMAS IN IT. Give it to someone next to you. They will put the commas in. Evaluate their work and correct any errors

One last rule: Don’t over- use commas! When a comma is needed, use it; otherwise, do without.

Practicing the rules of comma usage will help you understand the way sentences are built — and that, ultimately, will help you become a better writer.the rules of comma usage

“Chunk it and Punk it.”