1. Comma Patterns Dotti Shelton Developmental English Instructor

2. Examples Non-Examples Magazines, paperback novels and textbooks… …ripe, juicy apple. Diamonds and rubies… …a cement bird bath, two stone deer, a flagpole and a plastic daisy. Popcorn, soda, candy, nachos and… Magazines paperback novels and textbooks… …ripe juicy apple. Diamonds, and rubies… …a cement bird bath two stone deer a flagpole and a plastic daisy. Popcorn soda candy nachos and…

3. WHAT IS THE PATTERN?

4. Comma Pattern #1 Place a comma between three or more items in a series.

5. Examples Non-Examples Fearlessly, Lola… Just to annoy Tony, she spoke… During the storm, the house… After the game, the players… Suddenly, the rabbit… Fearlessly Lola… Just to annoy Tony she spoke… During the storm the house… After the game the players… Suddenly the rabbit…

6. WHAT IS THE PATTERN ?

7. Comma Pattern #2 Place a comma after most introductory phrases or clauses when it begins a sentence or after an introductory word.

8. Examples Non-Examples The car, cleaned and repaired, is ready. The best part, however, is the way the recording sounds. The woman who is my best friend won an elegant evening out as a prize. The car cleaned and repaired is ready. The best part however is the way the recording sounds. The woman, who is my best friend, won an elegant evening out as a prize.

9. More Examples Examples: –Paula Tucker, the receptionist, offered me a cup of coffee. –The young lady who is the receptionist offered me a cup of coffee.

10. More Examples Examples –The shirt I decided to wear, which I purchased two days ago, is a favorite of mine. –The shirt that I purchased two days ago is a favorite of mine.

11. WHAT IS THE PATTERN?

12. Comma Pattern #3 Place commas around words that interrupt the flow of thought or around information that is not essential in order to fully understand the sentence.

13. Let’s see that again. Examples: –Paula Tucker, the receptionist, offered me a cup of coffee. Because the entire name is stated, if the receptionist was omitted, the meaning of the sentence remains clear. Commas are therefore necessary. –The young lady who is the receptionist offered me a cup of coffee. Because it is not clear from the beginning who the young lady is, the clause [who is the receptionist] clarifies to whom the writer is referring and is therefore necessary, so commas are unnecessary.

14. Let’s check this out. Examples –The shirt I decided to wear, which I purchased two days ago, is a favorite of mine. The information, which I purchased two days ago, can be omitted, and the sentence would still be clear and have the same meaning. Commas are therefore necessary. –The shirt that I purchased two days ago is a favorite of mine. In this case, the information that I purchased two days ago is essential in order for the reader to know to which shirt the person is referring. Commas are not necessary.

15. Examples Susan read the book, and then she watched television. Roger decided to watch a movie, but the cable television was not working properly. I would like to see the sunrise, for I have never seen it before. Susan read the book and then watched television. Roger decided to watch a movie but could not because of technical problems. I would like to see the sunrise since I haven’t before.

16. More Examples Sarah wanted to play games; however, the party was almost over. Sarah, however, wanted to play games even though the party was almost over. Juan was determined, therefore, to make the team. Juan was determined; therefore, he played hard to make the team.

17. WHAT IS THE PATTERN?

18. Comma Pattern #4 Place a comma before a coordinating conjunction (fanboys) when it connects two independent clauses. IC, FB IC Place a semi-colon followed by the adverbial conjunction followed by a comma when it connects two independent clauses. IC; AC, IC

19. Check it out each time! Simply cover up the conjunction (FANBOYS) or adverbial conjunction (CHATFOMN) and see if there is an independent clause/complete sentence on either side. IC, FB IC or IC; AC, IC

20. Let’s see it in action! Sarah wanted to play games; however, the party was almost over. Adverbial conjunction Sarah, however, wanted to play games even though the party was almost over. Interrupter

21. Examples Examples “Please take a number,” said the clerk. “Reading,” exclaimed Rosie, “is the best way to travel!” Frowning meekly the child whispered, “May I please have a piece of candy?” The clerk said that I should take a number. Rosie exclaimed that the best way to travel is through reading. Frowning meekly the child whispered that she wanted a piece of candy.

22. WHAT IS THE PATTERN?

23. Comma Pattern #5 Use commas to set off direct quotations from the rest of the sentence. Note: The punctuation goes inside the quotation marks.

24. Examples I think, Sally, that you should read another book. I think that Sally should read another book. The calendar indicates, Julia, that you will have a birthday next month. The calendar indicates that Julia will have a birthday next month. Harold, when are you going to learn your multiplication tables? Harold is going to learn his multiplication tables.

25. WHAT IS THE PATTERN?

26. Comma Pattern #6 Use commas when speaking directly to people.

27. Comma Pattern #7 Place commas within addresses and dates except when only the month and year are given or when only the city, state, county, or country is given. Example: Jose was born at 217 Nolan Road, Huntington, California, on April 10, 1987. Example: Julia and Robert were married in Las Vegas in March 1998.