English Essentials ©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. English Essentials John Langan Beth Johnson More on Run-ons, Comma Splices, and the Comma More on Run-ons, Comma Splices, and the Comma Chapters Twenty-Seven and Twenty-Eight

Extending the Skills: Commas English Essentials ©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 2 both sides of words that interrupt the flow of thoughtOn both sides of words that interrupt the flow of thought in a sentence. Between two complete thoughts and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.Between two complete thoughts connected by and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. letter-writingIn letter-writing and related informal situations.

Extending the Skills: Commas English Essentials ©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 3 Interrupting words are set off by commas. If you remove the words from the sentence and it still makes sense, the words are interrupters. Such nonessential information is set off by commas.Interrupting words are set off by commas. If you remove the words from the sentence and it still makes sense, the words are interrupters. Such nonessential information is set off by commas. –Examples: Agriculture, especially the growing of cotton, was vital to the South’s economy.Agriculture, especially the growing of cotton, was vital to the South’s economy. Sometimes American civilians, who actually picnicked in the battle areas to watch the fighting, were trampled by retreating soldiers.Sometimes American civilians, who actually picnicked in the battle areas to watch the fighting, were trampled by retreating soldiers. Use commas around words interrupting the flow of thought.

Extending the Skills: Commas English Essentials ©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 Examples:Examples: –Emotions ran so high that thousands of men rushed to enlist, and young boys were caught up in this movement. –The drum beat was needed to give directions to the men in the Civil War, but the bugle began to take over this role because it was easier to hear. Use a comma between complete thoughts connected by a joining word.

Extending the Skills: Commas English Essentials ©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 5 There are two distinct uses of the word however with the comma.There are two distinct uses of the word however with the comma. When the word however is used as an interrupter, it requires the comma.When the word however is used as an interrupter, it requires the comma. The approval of the parents, however, was rare.Example: The approval of the parents, however, was rare. When the word however is used between two complete thoughts, both the semicolon and the comma are needed.When the word however is used between two complete thoughts, both the semicolon and the comma are needed. The military easily decided on a uniform color and design; however, producing the uniforms for an entire army was more difficultExample: The military easily decided on a uniform color and design; however, producing the uniforms for an entire army was more difficult.

Extending the Skills: Commas English Essentials ©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 Use commas with dates, addresses, numbers, and with the openings and closings of letters.Use commas with dates, addresses, numbers, and with the openings and closings of letters. The armistice of World War I was November 11, 1918.The armistice of World War I was November 11, There were 270,000 letters written.There were 270,000 letters written. Dear Elise,Dear Elise, Sincerely,Sincerely, Letter-Writing and Informal Situations

Extending the Skills: Commas English Essentials ©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 7 We wrote to our governor and telephoned our senator.We wrote to our governor and telephoned our senator. ( No comma is needed because there are not two complete sentences.) Also, exclude commas after SHORT introductory material: Afterward the scientist figured out what had gone wrong with the expirement.Afterward the scientist figured out what had gone wrong with the expirement. Avoid Unnecessary Commas

Extending the Skills: Commas English Essentials ©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 8 One method of correcting a run-on is to use a semicolon to mark the break between two sentences. A looks like a period above a comma. A semicolon looks like a period above a comma. When it is used to correct run-ons, the semicolon can be used alone or with a transitional word.When it is used to correct run-ons, the semicolon can be used alone or with a transitional word. Kristin plays the guitar well; she hopes to start her own band. Also correct: Kristin plays the guitar well; consequently, she hopes to start her own band. Correcting Run-On Sentences

Extending the Skills: Commas English Essentials ©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 9 Avoiding Run-Ons Certain words can lead to run-on sentences. When you use them, pay close attention to your use of punctuation, particularly your comma use. WORDS THAT CAN LEAD TO RUN-ONS: Personal Pronouns--I, you, he, she, it, we, they Transitional words--Therefore, in fact, moreover