Transcript Slide 1

Using Commas
Why are commas important?
Items in a series
Independent clauses
Introductory elements
Interrupters
Conventional uses of commas
Review A
Review B
Why are commas important?
Commas help make the meaning of a sentence
clear by setting apart elements in the sentence.
Too many commas can clutter a
sentence and confuse readers.
Problem: Unnecessary commas
Amy, and I put a DVD, and a fashion
catalog, in the time capsule, and,
then, our friend, Jack, added a
miniature, flashlight.
Why are commas important?
Missing commas may also confuse readers.
Problem: Missing commas
Derek Lucia and Ben are making spaghetti
squash spinach salad and garlic bread for dinner.
Is Derek being spoken to, or is he
one of the people making dinner?
Are they making spaghetti squash?
Or spaghetti and also squash?
Are they making a spinach salad?
Or spinach and also a salad?
Why are commas important?
With commas placed correctly, the meaning of the
sentence is now clear.
Derek, Lucia, and Ben are making spaghetti,
squash, spinach salad, and garlic bread for dinner.
[End of Section]
Items in a series
Use commas to separate items in a series.
Words in a series
She had been a correspondent for the wire
service in London, Paris, Rome, and Madrid.
Phrases in a series
I studied for the test on the way to
school, during homeroom, and in
study hall.
Items in a series
Use commas to separate items in a series.
Clauses in a series
The reporter wanted to know who I was, where I
went to school, and how I felt about getting my
driver’s license.
Items in a series
Use commas to separate items in a series.
Short independent clauses
I drove to the store, I bought the
groceries, and I drove right home.
Two or more adjectives preceding a noun
Did you see that boring, silly, worthless movie?
Items in a series
On Your Own
Add commas where needed in the following
sentences.
1. My father has worked as a teacher a librarian and
a computer programmer.
2. Should we go to the mall to the park or to Yoko’s
house?
3. Mel washed the dishes took out the trash and
mowed the huge overgrown front yard.
[End of Section]
Independent clauses
Use a comma before and, but, for, nor, or, so, or
yet when it joins independent clauses.
We looked for seats, but the subway car was
crowded.
Amy followed the recipe carefully, for she had
never made paella before.
The sky looks clear, yet rain has been forecast.
Independent clauses
On Your Own
Add commas where needed in the following
sentences.
1. Quilting is a practical folk art and it is also a
relaxing and enjoyable pastime.
2. They did not go to sleep nor did they stop talking
that first night in the college dorm.
3. I knew my part well and was prepared yet I felt
nervous about opening night.
[End of Section]
Introductory elements
Use a comma to set off certain introductory
elements.
Mild exclamations such as well,
oh, or why
Well, have you come up with a
plan for this evening?
Introductory words such as yes
and no
Yes, I want to finish my birdhouse.
Introductory elements
Use a comma to set off certain introductory
elements.
Introductory participial phrases
Looking poised and calm, Jill
walked to the podium.
Two or more introductory prepositional
phrases or one long one.
Near the beginning of the trail, the scout
leader found an overturned canoe.
Introductory elements
Use a comma to set off certain introductory
elements.
Introductory adverb clauses
As he turned the key, the engine started.
Introductory elements
On Your Own
Add commas where needed in the following
sentences.
1. Sleeping soundly Ben did not hear the car pull
away.
2. Why those flowers are just beautiful, aren’t they?
3. By the end of the second day of school Josie had
already made several new friends.
4. If you want to volunteer for the Special Olympics
sign up here.
[End of Section]
Interrupters
Use commas to set off elements that interrupt the
sentence.
Nonessential clauses or phrases
Marie Curie, who studied
radioactivity, won the Nobel Prize
for chemistry in 1911.
Nonessential
clause
The kitten, frightened by the
thunder, jumped into my lap.
Nonessential
phrase
Interrupters
Use commas to set off elements that interrupt the
sentence.
Nonessential appositives and appositive
phrases
The Jacobs’ cat, Sophie, is shy
around new people.
Nonessential
appositive
Tyrell, my oldest nephew, plays the
saxophone.
Nonessential
appositive
phrase
Interrupters
Use commas to set off elements that interrupt the
sentence.
Direct address
Everyone, do you have your
artworks ready to turn in?
Your painting, Andy, is very
original.
Please show us your sketches,
Amanda.
Interrupters
Use commas to set off elements that interrupt the
sentence.
Parenthetical expressions
On the contrary, exercise is usually relaxing.
My grandfather, by the way, created these
colorful sand paintings.
Jameson was the first of the seniors to solve
the puzzle, naturally.
Interrupters
On Your Own
Add commas where needed in the following
sentences.
1. Have you seen Mr. Welch our new accounting
teacher?
2. The Youngstown Greek Festival which includes
food and dancing is a popular local event.
3. Please listen class while Jim makes an
announcement.
4. His mother by the way is a physics professor.
[End of Section]
Conventional uses of commas
Use commas in certain conventional situations.
Separate items in dates
and addresses
On Monday, January 28, 2008,
I bought my pet guinea pig.
They have lived at 108 Griffith Lane, Bethesda,
Maryland, for ten years.
Conventional uses of commas
Use commas in certain conventional situations.
After the salutation of a personal letter
Dear Dale and Amy,
My dear Jessica,
After the closing of any letter
Sincerely yours,
Warmest regards,
Conventional uses of commas
Use commas in certain conventional situations.
Abbreviations such as Jr., Sr., or M.D. when
they follow persons’ names
Our guest speaker today is Lauren
Henson, M.D.
Peter Grundel, Jr., has made several
documentary films.
Conventional uses of commas
On Your Own
Add commas where needed in the following
sentences.
1. The Reyes family is moving to 1410 Tara Drive
Greensboro North Carolina.
2. The letter began, “Dear Georgina How have you
been?”
3. On August 27 2011 the new museum will have its
grand opening.
4. Cecile Wong M.D. is our family doctor.
[End of Section]
Review A
Tell whether the following items are missing commas (M) or
are correct as is (C). For items missing commas, add the
commas where needed.
_____ 1. The waiting room was decorated in warm subtle
earth tones so I felt relaxed there.
_____ 2. Everyone wanted to know who he was what he
wanted and how long he intended to stay.
_____ 3. People who are overly nervous may not make good
drivers.
_____ 4. If we are going to finish on time we will need more
volunteers I believe.
[End of Section]
Review B
Add commas where necessary in the following sentences.
1. Before the start of the concert the musicians tuned their
instruments.
2. Geometry which I took last year was not an easy subject
for me.
3. The letter was dated June 16 2008 and was mailed from
Washington D.C.
4. Hoping to meet Oprah Winfrey we got tickets to a taping
of her show.
5. John Buse the president of our class asked me to sell
tickets for the benefit concert.
[End of Section]
The End