ENG II B

WHY DO WE NEED COMMAS?

Commas are necessary for clear expression of ideas. As we read the following sentences, notice how the placement of the comma affects the meaning of each sentence. EXAMPLES 1. When someone calls you, answer immediately. 2. When someone calls, you answer immediately. Failing to use necessary commas may confuse your reader.

WHY DO WE NEED COMMAS? Failing to use necessary commas may confuse your reader. CONFUSING The friends I have invited are Ruth Ann Jerry Lee Derrick Martha and Julie. HOW MANY FRIENDS?

WHY DO WE NEED COMMAS? Failing to use necessary commas may confuse your reader. CLEAR The friends I have invited are Ruth Ann, Jerry Lee, Derrick, Martha, and Julie. HOW MANY FRIENDS?

RULE 1: USE THE COMMA TO SEPARATE ITEMS IN A SERIES.

Notice in the following examples that the number of commas in a series is only one less that the number of items in the series. EXAMPLES 1.All of my cousins, aunts, and uncles came to our family reunion. [nouns] 2.My grandparents were excited, happy, and proud that so many came. [adjectives] 3.The adults talked, laughed, took photographs, and shared memories. [verbs]

Notice in the following examples that the number of commas in a series is only one less that the number of items in the series. EXAMPLES 4.The children played in the yard, at the playground, and by the pond. [prepositional phrases] 5.I shall always remember that weekend of feasting, telling stories, and playing games. [gerund and gerund phrases (a gerund is a verb ending in –ing)] 6.Those who had flown to the reunion, who had driven many miles, or who had even taken time off from their jobs were glad that they had come. [subordinate clauses]#1

When the last two items in a series are joined by and, you may omit the comma before the and if the comma is not necessary to make the meaning clear. CLEAR WITH COMMA OMITTED The salad contained lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and radishes. NOT CLEAR WITH COMMA OMITTED Our school newspaper has editors for news, sports, humor, features and art. How many editors are there, four or five? Does one person serve as feature and art editor, or is an editor needed for each job?

When the last two items in a series are joined by and, you may omit the comma before the and if the comma is not necessary to make the meaning clear. NOT CLEAR WITH COMMA OMITTED Our school newspaper has editors for news, sports, humor, features and art. How many editors are there, four or five? Does one person serve as feature and art editor, or is an editor needed for each job? CLEAR WITH COMMA INCLUDED Our school newspaper has editors for news, sports, humor, features, and art. [five editors]

When the last two items in a series are joined by and, you may omit the comma before the and if the comma is not necessary to make the meaning clear. Some writers prefer always to use the comma before the and, whether or not it is necessary for clarity. For this class, ALWAYS use the comma.

NOTE: Some words —such as bread and butter, rod and reel, table and chairs — are used in pairs and may be set off as one item in a series: My favorite breakfast is milk, bacon and eggs, and fruit. #2

a)If all items in a series are joined by and or or, do not use commas to separate them. EXAMPLES I need tacks and nails and a hammer. Sam or Carlos or Yolanda can baby-sit tonight. b)Independent clauses in a series are usually separated by semicolons. Short independent clauses, however, may be separated by commas. EXAMPLES The sky grew dark; tree branches swayed in the wind; the cold deepened; the first snowflakes fell.#3