© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills: A Workbook for Writers, Form B John Langan Comma

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form B, 7E Comma items in a seriesTo separate items in a series. introductory materialTo set off introductory material. 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. set off a direct quotation.To set off a direct quotation. letter-writingIn letter-writing and related informal situations.

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form B, 7E Comma Examples...Examples... sent letters, kept journals, or wrote memoirs. –We have a vivid picture of the Civil War because almost every soldier sent letters, kept journals, or wrote memoirs. a driver’s license, a school transcript, or a student identification card –Young boys managed to enlist in the military during the Civil War because in 1861 people did not have a driver’s license, a school transcript, or a student identification card to prove their age. Use a comma between items in a series:

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form B, 7E Comma introductory word, an introductory phrase, or an introductory clause.Use a comma after an introductory word, an introductory phrase, or an introductory clause. An example of an introductory word: Unfortunately, many boys who were sixteen years old and younger fought as soldiers in the Civil War.Unfortunately, many boys who were sixteen years old and younger fought as soldiers in the Civil War. An introductory phrase: ¯After the war, an army statistician managed to do a study of the ages of the soldiers. Use a comma after introductory material:

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form B, 7E Comma An introductory clause:An introductory clause: When the war actually broke out, Americans did not seem to realize that the dispute would be devastating. Use a comma after introductory material:

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form B, 7E Comma Example…Example… –Because the drum beat told the soldiers how and when to maneuver, drummers were important. –COMMA AFTER INTRODUCTION But:But: –Drummers were important because the drum beat told the soldiers how and when to maneuver. –NO COMMA BECAUSE NO INTRODUCTION NOTE: If a dependent clause comes at the end of the sentence, there is NO NEED for a comma.

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form B, 7E Comma 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.

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form B, 7E Comma 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.

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form B, 7E Comma 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.

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form B, 7E Comma Example:Example: –The students complained, “Reading about these boys in the war is very depressing.” Use a Comma with Direct Quotations

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form B, 7E Comma 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

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form B, 7E Comma 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.) Avoid Unnecessary Commas

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form B, 7E Comma Practice Review Exercises ÊLacrosse __ a game played by two competing teams __ is a sport which involves a ball and a special netted stick ÊLacrosse __ a game played by two competing teams __ is a sport which involves a ball and a special netted stick.,, (No comma) ËThe game was originally played by the Native Americans as a training for war Native Americans as a training for war __ and was adopted by the __ and was adopted by the French-Canadians. French-Canadians.

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form B, 7E Comma ÌThe French players called the netted stick la crosse __ because it resembled a bishop’s cross.,, (No comma) Í ÍToday __ lacrosse players use a stick that has a wooden __ graphite __ or metal handle., Practice Review Exercises

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form B, 7E Comma Practice Review Exercises ÎOf course, the goalkeeper uses a crosse __ but he may defend the goal with his hands and body as well., Ï ÏIf teams are tied at the end of sixty minutes ____ they play sudden-death overtime periods.,

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form B, 7E Comma ÐThe game may seem chaotic ___ however ___ there are rules that must be followed.,, Ñ ÑLong throws ___ although allowed ___ are usually not attempted. ;, Practice Review Exercises

© 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sentence Skills, Form B, 7E Comma ÒIf the ball is thrown out of bounds ___ an opposing player is given a free throw.,, ¿ ¿The women’s game ___ however___ varies slightly from the men’s game, Practice Review Exercises