Commas Pages By Seth Murray and Garrett Thelen

Where Commas Should Be Used Before coordinating conjunctions joining independent clauses. Before coordinating conjunctions joining independent clauses. After introductory word groups. After introductory word groups. Between all items in a series. Between all items in a series. Between coordinate adjectives not joined by and. Between coordinate adjectives not joined by and. To set off nonrestrictive elements. To set off nonrestrictive elements. To set off nouns of direct address, yes and no, interrogative tags, and mild interjections. To set off nouns of direct address, yes and no, interrogative tags, and mild interjections. With expressions to set off direct quotations. With expressions to set off direct quotations. With dates, addresses, titles, and numbers. With dates, addresses, titles, and numbers. To set off transitional and parenthetical expressions, absolute phrases, and contrasted elements. To set off transitional and parenthetical expressions, absolute phrases, and contrasted elements. To avoid confusion. To avoid confusion.

Before Coordinating Conjunctions Joining Independent Clauses Seven Coordinating Conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet. Seven Coordinating Conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet. EXAMPLE: I hate to waste a single drop of squid eyeball stew, for it is expensive and time-consuming to make. EXAMPLE: I hate to waste a single drop of squid eyeball stew, for it is expensive and time-consuming to make.

After Introductory Word Groups Introductory Word Groups – Word groups that usually tell when, where, how, why, or under what conditions the main action of the sentence occurred. Introductory Word Groups – Word groups that usually tell when, where, how, why, or under what conditions the main action of the sentence occurred. EXAMPLE: Since Tiger was going through a 24 hour period of erectile dysfunction, he decided not to join Amy to teach her how too golf in a secluded hotel room. EXAMPLE: Since Tiger was going through a 24 hour period of erectile dysfunction, he decided not to join Amy to teach her how too golf in a secluded hotel room.

Between All Items in a Series Series- A group with three or more items. Series- A group with three or more items. EXAMPLE: This morning I woke up, felt like P-Diddy, got dressed, brushed my teeth with a bottle of jack, and turned on Katy Perry. EXAMPLE: This morning I woke up, felt like P-Diddy, got dressed, brushed my teeth with a bottle of jack, and turned on Katy Perry.

Between coordinate adjectives not joined by and Coordinate Adjectives- When two or more adjectives each modify a noun separately. Coordinate Adjectives- When two or more adjectives each modify a noun separately. EXAMPLE: The poster depicted a brown-haired, blue-eyed child wearing a Canadian tuxedo. EXAMPLE: The poster depicted a brown-haired, blue-eyed child wearing a Canadian tuxedo.

To Set Off Nonrestrictive Elements Nonrestrictive Elements- Word groups describing nouns or pronouns are restrictive or nonrestrictive. A nonrestrictive element describes a noun or a pronoun that has already been clearly defined. Nonrestrictive Elements- Word groups describing nouns or pronouns are restrictive or nonrestrictive. A nonrestrictive element describes a noun or a pronoun that has already been clearly defined. EXAMPLE: Mr. Smith, who is a well- respected lawyer, has just retired from active practice. EXAMPLE: Mr. Smith, who is a well- respected lawyer, has just retired from active practice.

To Set Off Nouns of Direct Address, Interrogative Tags, and Mild Interjections Nouns of Direct Address- the name of the person (normally) who is being directly spoken to. Also applies to words like Sir, Ma’am, and Son. Nouns of Direct Address- the name of the person (normally) who is being directly spoken to. Also applies to words like Sir, Ma’am, and Son. EXAMPLE: Karen, you are looking mighty fine tonight. EXAMPLE: Karen, you are looking mighty fine tonight. Interrogative Tags- A phrase in the form of a question that is a spin off from the original statement. Interrogative Tags- A phrase in the form of a question that is a spin off from the original statement.

To Set Off Nouns of Direct Address, Interrogative Tags, and Mild Interjections Continued EXAMPLE: Honey, that was great, wasn’t it? EXAMPLE: Honey, that was great, wasn’t it? Mild Interjections- Usually treated as parenthetical elements. (Words like oh and well) Mild Interjections- Usually treated as parenthetical elements. (Words like oh and well) EXAMPLE: Well, at least you enjoyed it. EXAMPLE: Well, at least you enjoyed it.

With Expressions To Set Off Direct Quotations Direct Quotations- Something that is word for word the same as the source. Direct Quotations- Something that is word for word the same as the source. EXAMPLE: Former President Bill Clinton remarked, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky.” EXAMPLE: Former President Bill Clinton remarked, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky.”

With Dates, Addresses, Titles, and Numbers DATE EXAMPLE: On June 5, 1989, a little boy started his journey through life. DATE EXAMPLE: On June 5, 1989, a little boy started his journey through life. ADDRESS EXAMPLE: Garrett Thelen was born in St. Johns, Michigan, in 1989 ADDRESS EXAMPLE: Garrett Thelen was born in St. Johns, Michigan, in 1989 TITLE EXAMPLE: Seth Murray, Ph.D, is being sued for malpractice. TITLE EXAMPLE: Seth Murray, Ph.D, is being sued for malpractice. NUMBERS EXAMPLE: 1,000,000 NUMBERS EXAMPLE: 1,000,000

To Set Off Transitional and Parenthetical Expressions, Absolute Phrases, and Contrasted Elements Transitional Expressions- Serve as bridges between sentences or parts of sentences. Transitional Expressions- Serve as bridges between sentences or parts of sentences. EXAMPLE: They are real as a matter of fact, I have had them since I was in Middle School. EXAMPLE: They are real as a matter of fact, I have had them since I was in Middle School. Parenthetical Expressions- A phrase that provides supplemental information but interrupts the flow of a sentence or is at the end of a sentence as an after thought. Parenthetical Expressions- A phrase that provides supplemental information but interrupts the flow of a sentence or is at the end of a sentence as an after thought. EXAMPLE: Bill, as far as we know, enjoys the touch of a man on his skin. EXAMPLE: Bill, as far as we know, enjoys the touch of a man on his skin.

To Set Off Transitional and Parenthetical Expressions, Absolute Phrases, and Contrasted Elements Continued Absolute Phrases- Modifies the independent clause as a whole. Absolute Phrases- Modifies the independent clause as a whole. EXAMPLE: Their slender bodies sleek and black against the orange sky, the storks pooped above us. EXAMPLE: Their slender bodies sleek and black against the orange sky, the storks pooped above us. Contrasted Elements- Sharp contrasts with words like not, never, and unlike. Contrasted Elements- Sharp contrasts with words like not, never, and unlike. EXAMPLE: Unlike Darth Vader, Bill is from the planet Earth. EXAMPLE: Unlike Darth Vader, Bill is from the planet Earth.

To Avoid Confusion EXAMPLE: Everything that would thought might happen, happened. EXAMPLE: Everything that would thought might happen, happened. EXAMPLE: Patients, who can walk up and down the halls, walk several times a day. EXAMPLE: Patients, who can walk up and down the halls, walk several times a day.

Where Commas Should NOT Be Used Between compound elements that are not independent clauses. Between compound elements that are not independent clauses. To separate a verb from its subject or object. To separate a verb from its subject or object. Before the first or after the last item in a series. Before the first or after the last item in a series. Between cumulative adjectives, between an adjective and a noun, or between an adverb and an adjective. Between cumulative adjectives, between an adjective and a noun, or between an adverb and an adjective. To set off restrictive elements. To set off restrictive elements. To set off a concluding adverb clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence. To set off a concluding adverb clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence.

Between Compound Elements that are not Independent Clauses. Independent Clause- A sentence that can stand by itself containing a subject and a predicate. Independent Clause- A sentence that can stand by itself containing a subject and a predicate. EXAMPLE: John Smith discovered the meaning of life, and later jumped off a cliff. EXAMPLE: John Smith discovered the meaning of life, and later jumped off a cliff.

To Separate a Verb from its Subject or Object EXAMPLE: Julie explained to him, that she was tired and he would have to wait until a different night. EXAMPLE: Julie explained to him, that she was tired and he would have to wait until a different night.

Before the First or After the Last Item in a Series Series- A group with three or more items. Series- A group with three or more items. EXAMPLE: Bode Miller’s medals at the Olympics are, gold, silver, and bronze, but he is hoping for iron. EXAMPLE: Bode Miller’s medals at the Olympics are, gold, silver, and bronze, but he is hoping for iron.

Between Cumulative Adjectives, Between an Adjective and a Noun, or Between an Adverb and an Adjective. Cumulative Adjectives- Two or more adjectives that do not modify the noun separately. Cumulative Adjectives- Two or more adjectives that do not modify the noun separately. EXAMPLE: The former, overweight woman told us how she lost fifty-five pounds. EXAMPLE: The former, overweight woman told us how she lost fifty-five pounds. ADJECTIVE AND NOUN EXAMPLE: It was a scary, pointless, game. ADJECTIVE AND NOUN EXAMPLE: It was a scary, pointless, game. ADVERB AND ADJECTIVE EXAMPLE: The old High School is not suitable for teaching our severely, deprived children. ADVERB AND ADJECTIVE EXAMPLE: The old High School is not suitable for teaching our severely, deprived children.

To Set Off Restrictive Elements Restrictive Elements- Word groups describing nouns or pronouns are restrictive or nonrestrictive. A restrictive element defines or limits the meaning of the word it modifies making it essential to the meaning of the sentence. Restrictive Elements- Word groups describing nouns or pronouns are restrictive or nonrestrictive. A restrictive element defines or limits the meaning of the word it modifies making it essential to the meaning of the sentence. EXAMPLE: William Faulkner's novel, Light in August, is my favorite book. EXAMPLE: William Faulkner's novel, Light in August, is my favorite book.

To Set off a Concluding Adverb Clause that is Essential to the Meaning of the Sentence. Adverb Clause- Adverb clauses show relationships such as time, cause and effect, contrast, and condition. Adverb Clause- Adverb clauses show relationships such as time, cause and effect, contrast, and condition. EXAMPLE: Don’t visit Mexico right now, unless you know some powerful drug lords. EXAMPLE: Don’t visit Mexico right now, unless you know some powerful drug lords.

TRY AND EDIT THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES (HINT: Pay attention to comma use.)

I hate going to that pointless class yet I end up going everyday. I hate going to that pointless class yet I end up going everyday. CORRECT: I hate going to that pointless class, yet I end up going everyday. CORRECT: I hate going to that pointless class, yet I end up going everyday. WHY: Because it’s a coordinating conjunctions joining independent clauses! WHY: Because it’s a coordinating conjunctions joining independent clauses!

Harry Bottom’s new novel, Monkey Love, is so amazing. Harry Bottom’s new novel, Monkey Love, is so amazing. CORRECT: Bottom’s new novel Monkey Love is so amazing. CORRECT: Bottom’s new novel Monkey Love is so amazing. WHY: Because Monkey Love is a restrictive element! WHY: Because Monkey Love is a restrictive element!

Antonio’s siblings back home in Mexico are named Maria, Jose, and George Lopez but he is hoping for a Paco. Antonio’s siblings back home in Mexico are named Maria, Jose, and George Lopez but he is hoping for a Paco. CORRECT: It is already CORRECT! CORRECT: It is already CORRECT! WHY: You don’t need a comma before the First or After the Last Item in a Series. WHY: You don’t need a comma before the First or After the Last Item in a Series.

Garrett Thelen also known as White Lightening used to be the lead singer of White Snake. Garrett Thelen also known as White Lightening used to be the lead singer of White Snake. Incorrect: This is a Nonrestrictive Element. Incorrect: This is a Nonrestrictive Element. The correct way is: Garrett Thelen, also known as White Lightening, used to be the lead singer of White Snake. The correct way is: Garrett Thelen, also known as White Lightening, used to be the lead singer of White Snake.