1. Comma Sense
A Quick Guide

2. Independent Clauses Subject, verb, and maybe modifiers: Joe sang.
Mary ran.
Sing.
Run.
Joe sang beautifully.
Mary ran quickly.
Run fast.

3. Coordinating Conjunctions
FOR
AND
NOR
BUT OR
YET SO F A N B O Y S

4. Coordinating Conjunctions (cont.)
Yogurt is nutritious, and it makes a good snack.
Yogurt is naturally rather tart, but fruit or jam is often added to sweeten it.
Yogurt is naturally rather tart, yet many people like the taste.
We can have yogurt and fruit, or we can go out for breakfast.

5. Independent Clauses (cont.)
These can be punctuated as sentences. But that is not the only way to punctuate independent clauses.
Two independent clauses that are closely related, especially if they have parallel structure, can be punctuated with a semicolon.
Contrasts between two statements can also be highlighted by using a semicolon.

6. Variation is the Spice of Writing
Independent clauses can be punctuated or combined
in various ways:
The sky darkened, but it did not rain.
The sky darkened, yet it did not rain.
The sky darkened, and it rained.
The sky darkened; it rained.
The sky darkened, the wind howled, and it rained.
The sky darkened, so we knew it would rain.
The sky darkened, for it was going to rain.
All last week, it either rained, or it snowed.
All last week, it rained or snowed.

7. Examples of Semicolon Use
Yogurt is a nutritious dairy product; it often has added fruit or flavoring.
Yogurt is a nutritious dairy product; it is a good, light snack.
Yogurt is nutritious; however, ice cream tastes better.
Yogurt is a dairy product; thus, it must be kept refrigerated.

8. Subordinating Conjunctions
The following words make the clause dependent; it thus has to have an independent clause to lean on.
After, although, as, as if, as long as, as though, because, before, even though, if, if only, in order that, now that, once, provided, rather than, since, so that than, that, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, whether, while.
Curtsey of Eric Stephenson

9. Dependent Clauses
Although a dependent clause may look like a complete sentence, it is not one.
Because a dependent clause starts with particular words, it needs an independent clause to lean on.
If a dependent clause were a person, it could be used as a tax exemption by an independent clause because dependent clauses need to be supported.

10. Why Use Commas? Other uses
To separate main clauses linked by a coordinating conjunction
To set off most introductory elements
To set off nonessential elements
To separate items in a series
To separate coordinate adjectives
Other uses
To set off absolute phrases
To set off phrases expressing contrast
To separate parts of dates, addresses, long numbers
To separate quotations and signal phrases
To prevent misreading
A nod here to Pearson Education’s Longman text, though this is common knowledge.

11. Simple Rule For phrases, clauses, groups of words in a sentence:
DO NOT USE COMMAS, if it is an essential part of the meaning of the sentence.
USE COMMAS, if you can take a phrase, clause, or words out of a sentence without changing the basic meaning.
In other words, commas often mark off added information.

12. If you can leave part of a sentence out….
The man, who is a teacher, wore a long black cloak.
The movie, which got rave reviews, is still playing at the mall.
My son’s high school principal, James Smith, lives next door.
Mary, my oldest sister, is a pediatrician.
The SUV, which is at least twenty years old, was parked illegally.

13. If part of a sentence is necessary….
The man wearing a long black cloak is a teacher.
The man wearing a long black cloak is a teacher, not a vampire.
The woman standing by the door is my aunt.
The movie playing at the mall is the one I want to see.
The SUV with the Missouri license plates is parked illegally.
My sister Mary is a pediatrician.*
I have five sisters…

14. Some uses for commas….
As I walked into the room, I saw the vase of roses on the table.
Because it was my birthday, I thought the flowers were for me.
I picked up the card, thinking I knew who had sent them.
Surprised and pleased, I smiled at my mother and handed her the card.

15. Other Examples
We went to the grocery and bought apples, oranges, bananas, and plums.
Many years ago, I started teaching English in Louisville, Kentucky, across the river from Indiana.
Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958.
Casually, the young man strolled into the room.
BUT -- The young man strolled casually into the room.

16. Punctuation Matters

17. The Panda Story
A panda walks into a café. He orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and fires two shots in the air.
“Why?” asks the confused waiter, as the panda makes towards the exit. The panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over his shoulder.
“I’m a panda,” he says, at the door. “Look it up.”
Thanks to Eric Stephenson for reminding me of this book.

18. Punch Line
The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds an explanation.
“Panda: Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China. Eats, shoots and leaves.”
What kind of words was the Panda saying these (the ones in yellow) were?
What were they meant to convey?
From Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss

19. Punctuation Matters A woman without her man is nothing.
Be sure to distinguish between the semicolon and the colon--
Semicolon ; smile and a wink
Colon : eyes for a smiley face

20. Colons and Semicolons
Use colons when what is on either side is balanced, as on a scale. The main clause below has a term (“groceries”) which is general and matches up with the specifics that follow the colon (“apples, oranges,” etc.)
Example:
This morning, I bought a lot of groceries: apples, oranges, bananas, plums, and a pineapple.

21. General: Specifics

22. Colons and Semicolons
For sentences with a series of items and internal punctuation, use semicolons between units.
Example:
The new contract will provide improvements for all hourly workers: recognition of seniority in scheduling, as well as a flex time option; a better physical environment on the work floor, even in break rooms and restrooms; and better health insurance.

23. Punctuation Matters Dear Jack,
I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I can be forever happy—will you let me be yours?
Jill
--taken from Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss

24. Punctuation Matters Dear Jack,
I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men I yearn! For you I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart I can be forever happy. Will you let me be? Yours, Jill
From Truss via Eric Stephenson.