Punctuation in Academic Writing: Commas Save Lives! GRAMMAR WORKSHOP SERIES

So, what is a comma, anyway? A comma is a punctuation mark that separates words or groups of words (phrases) within sentences. They keep ideas distinct from one another.

When do we use commas? Between independent clauses. Between one dependent clause and one independent clause, respectively. In a series. After introductory phrases and transitional words and phrases. After and before a direct address. After and before appositive phrases. After and before nonrestrictive clauses. In dates and addresses.

Between Independent Clauses (Compound) Independent clauses are also known as complete sentences. They are independent of any other sentence. They contain a complete thought: “I went home” is an independent clause. It has a subject, “I,” a verb, “went,” and an object, “home.” “I watched television” is also an independent clause. When you put two together, you must use a comma followed by a conjunction: I went home, and I watched television. I went to work, but I forgot my phone. You can play in your room, or you can ride your bike.

Between a Dependent and an Independent Clause (Complex) A Dependent Clause is an incomplete sentence. It is dependent on whatever clause or clauses that are connected to it. If the dependent clause comes before an independent clause, you must use a comma without a conjunction: If you want to graduate, you have to study. If the dependent clause comes after the independent clause, there is no comma: You have to study if you want to graduate.

In a Series A series is three or more words, phrases, or clauses listed one after the other in a sentence. A comma must be placed between each separate item and a conjunction before the last one: I went to the store and bought milk, eggs, cheese, and butter. Yesterday I went to the store, walked the dog, played videogames, and watched television. We can go to the movies, the park, or the museum. A subject does not need to be placed at the beginning of each item unless the item is the object of a new one: I went to the store, Joe watched television, and the kids played in their rooms. If you have only two items, they are separated by a conjunction, but not a comma: We have eggs and milk. My life is exciting and full of surprises.

After Introductory Phrases and Transitional Words or Phrases An introductory phrase introduces a sentence. A comma must be placed after the phrase: To keep fit, I exercise three times a week. Crossing the street, Henry fell into a manhole. A transitional word or phrase transitions from one idea to another: In conclusion, I believe we should have soda machines in all classrooms. He was, of course, an adult when he started his first job.

After and Before a Direct Address A Direct Address is someone’s name or a pronoun that someone uses in dialogue. A comma must be placed before or after the direct address, or in both places, depending on where the direct address is located: Molly, come here. Come here, Molly. Come here, Molly, and look at this.

After and Before Appositive Phrases An Appositive Phrase renames, identifies, or describes a noun or pronoun. A comma must be placed before and after these phrases: My friend, Anna Villaplana, is visiting Spain this month. His boss, who always has something supportive to say, is out this week with a fever. My friend’s name is George Lopez, a man with a sense of humor.

After and Before Nonrestrictive Clauses Nonrestrictive Clauses are clauses that add extra, non-essential information to a sentence. They do not change the meaning of the sentence if removed. A comma must be placed before and after a nonrestrictive clause to set it off from the sentence: Heart attacks, the number one cause of death in the United States, have increased since Restrictive Clauses contain information that is essential to the meaning of the sentence and do not need commas: Many rock stars who recorded hits in the 1950’s made little money from their songs.

In Dates and Addresses Use commas in dates to separate the day of the week from the month, the day of the month from the year, and the year from the rest of the sentence: Tuesday, May 5, 1998, was the first Cinco de Mayo we celebrated in the US. Use commas in addresses to separate the street address from the city, the city from the state or country, and the country from the rest of the sentence: The office at 221B Baker Street, London, England, belonged to the famous fictional detective Sherlock Holmes.

At the Beginnings and Endings of Quotes When writing a quote, a comma must be placed before and after if it is in the middle of a sentence: He said, “My life sucks,” and left the room. According to the New York Times, “many people cannot go an hour without looking at their phones,” and some have even reported having chronic headaches (McGuire). David Eddings once said, “A day in which you learn something isn’t a complete loss” (237). The New York Times was “strong in its belief on this topic,” and refused to comment.

Semicolons and Colons SEPARATING SENTENCES

What are semicolons, anyway? Semicolons are punctuation marks that separate two complete thoughts (independent clauses). These are normally used to connect two ideas that are related to each other without using a period or comma and conjunction. A semicolon has the same effect as a period. It denotes a full stop and has no connecting word before or after. Example: His grades were horrible; his teacher said he had trouble paying attention in class.

What are colons, anyway? A colon is a punctuation mark indicating. that a writer is introducing a quotation or a list of items. that a writer is separating two clauses of which the second expands or illustrates the first. I bought three things: milk, eggs, and cheese. His grades were horrible: he had a D or an F in every class.

Apostrophes and Quotation Marks

What are apostrophes, anyway? An apostrophe is a punctuation mark ( ’ ) used to indicate either possession or the omission of letters or numbers. Harry’s coat is blue. Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time is an excellent series. Harriet Jones’ book is just as good. I can’t go to work today because I’m sick. We went to China during the summer of ‘99. Its and It’s The word “its” is possessive: The cat is a beautiful animal; its eyes are gorgeous. The word “it’s” is a contraction standing for “it is”: It’s almost time for bed.

What are Quotation Marks, anyway? Quotation marks are each of a set of punctuation marks, single or double, used either to mark the beginning and end of a title or quoted passage or to indicate that a word or phrase is regarded as slang or is being discussed rather than used within the sentence. We use quotation marks for quotes: I said, “Go clean your room.” We use them to denote slang words and well-known ideas: Everyone comes to the US to find their “American Dream.” We use them to denote a title of a poem, short story, or article: George McFarlan wrote an article called “The Dream of Life.” We use single quotes to denote quotes within a quote: According to the NY Times, “George Martin wrote three books in two years, saying, ‘I can’t believe I did that!’ and plans to write more.”