1. Commas: Part II

2. Introductory Elements  Use a comma after introductory words or mild interjections.  Example: No, we didn’t see any rattlesnakes while we were hiking.

3. Introductory Elements: Continued  Use a comma after two or more prepositional phrases at the beginning of a sentence.  Example: After four rounds with the champ, Diaz was ready to call it a day.

4. Introductory Elements: Continued  Use a comma after verbal phrases and adverb clauses that begin a sentence.  Example: Spinning wildly, the folk dancers left the stage. (verbal)  When the party ended, we started to clean up. (adverb)

5. Introductory Elements: Continued  Advanced Comp. Only  Use a comma after words or phrases that have been transposed; that is, moved to the beginning of a sentence from their normal position.  If necessary, call Serena for directions.

6. Your Turn  Oh I though you were getting a haircut tomorrow.  Because of a sore throat Janna was unable to sing her solo.

7. Interrupters  Use commas to set off one or more words that interrupt the flow of thought in a sentence.  The judge, after long deliberation, sentenced the prisoners.

8. Interrupters: Appositives  Use commas to set off nonessential appositives only.  The World Series, baseball’s toughest competition, is held annually in the fall.  Above example is nonessential.

9. Interrupters: Appositives  Essential: do not use commas in these instances.  The author Ernest Hemingway is known for his simple, unadorned writing style.  The musical Les Miserables is based on a novel written by Victory Hugo in 1862.

10. Interrupters: Direct Address  Use commas to set off nouns of direct address.  Erika, please pass the pasta.

11. Interrupters: Words/Phrases  See a list on pg. 703 (orange) or pg. 741 (blue)  Our car, I believe, is over there.