Transcript Comma Notes - KLMS Silverback English

Comma
Notes
Condensed from pages
294-309 of Warriner’s
Handbook
Rule 1
 Use

commas to separate items in a series.
*A series consists of three or more items in a
row and can include words, phrases, and
short independent clauses
Examples
 Words

The engine rattled, coughed, and stalled.
 Phrases

There were fingerprints at the top, on the
sides, and on the bottom.
 Clauses
 We
sang, we danced, we ate dinner,
and we played trivia games.
Rule 2
 Use
a comma to separate two or more
adjectives that come before a noun.
Examples:


My spaniel is a fat, sassy puppy.
The long, silver train slowly pulled into the station.
Rule 2
 If
an adjective precedes a compound
noun (an adjective and noun that are
closely linked) there is no need to include
a comma after the first adjective.
Examples:
 The
warm French bread tasted great with the
onion soup.
 A huge horned owl lives in those woods.
Rule 3
 Use
a comma before the coordinating
conjunctions for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or
so when they join independent clauses in
a compound sentence. Hint: Fanboys

Examples:
 Tamisha
offered me a ticket, and I accepted.
 They had been working very hard, but they
didn’t seem especially tired.
Rule 3

When the independent clauses are very short
and there is no chance of misunderstanding,
the comma before and, but, or or is
sometimes omitted.

Example:


Come with us or meet us there.
Always us a comma before for, nor, so or yet
when joining independent clauses.

Example:

I was tired, yet I stayed
Rule 4
 Use
commas to set off an expression that
interrupts a sentence.
Rule 4
I
 Use
commas to set off nonessential
participial phrases and nonessential
subordinate clauses.

A nonessential (or nonrestrictive) phrase or
clause adds information that is not needed
to understand the basic meaning of the
sentence. Such a phrase or clause can be
omitted without changing the main idea of
the sentence.
Rule 4
I
 Examples:
 My
sister, listening to her radio, did not hear
me.
 Paul, thrilled by the applause, took a bow.
 The Wizard of Oz, which I saw again last week,
is my favorite movie.
 I reported on Secret of the Andes, which was
written by Ann Nolan Clark.
Rule 4
I

Do not set off an essential (or restrictive)
phrase or clause. Since such a phrase or
clause tells which one(s), it cannot be omitted
without changing the basic meaning of the
sentence.

Examples:


A bowl made by Maria Martinez is a collector’s
item.
The man who tells Navajo folk tales is Mr.
Platero.
Rule 4
II
 Use
commas to set off nonessential
appositives and nonessential appositive
phrases.

An appositive is a noun or a pronoun used
to identify or describe another noun or
pronoun.
Rule 4
II
 Examples:



My oldest sister, Alicia, will be at the
basketball game.
Jamaica, a popular island for tourists, is in
the Caribbean Sea.
May I introduce you to Vernon, my cousin
from Jamaica?
Rule 4
II
 Do
not use commas to set off an
appositive that is essential to the meaning
of a sentence.

Examples:
 My
sister Alicia is at basketball practice.
 The planet Mercury is closer to the Sun than
any other planet in our solar system.
Rule 4
III
 Use
commas to set off words that are
used in direct address.

Examples:
 Ben,
please answer the doorbell.
 Mom says she needs you, Francine.
Rule 4
IV

Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions.

A parenthetical expression is a side remark that
adds information or shows a relationship between
ideas.

Examples:



Carl, on the contrary, prefers soccer to baseball.
To tell the truth, Jan is one of my best friends.
Common parenthetical expressions include for
example, however, in fact, nevertheless, on the
contrary, and on the other hand.
Rule 5
 Use
a comma after certain introductory
elements.
Rule 5
I
 Use
a comma after yes, no, or any mild
exclamation such as well or why at the
beginning of the sentence.

Examples:
 Yes,
you may borrow my bicycle.
 Why, it’s Lena!
 Well, I think you are wrong.
Rule 5
II
 Use
a comma after an introductory
participial phrase.

Examples:
 Beginning
a new school year, Zelda felt
somewhat nervous.
 Greeted with applause from the fans, Rashid
ran out onto the field.
Rule 5
III

Use a comma after two or more introductory
prepositional phrases.


Examples:
 At the bottom of the hill, you will see the field.
 Until the end of the song, just keep strumming that
cord.
Sometimes a comma is not necessary after a short
prepositional phrase. Be sure to use a comma
when it is necessary to make the meaning of the
sentence clear.

Examples:
 In the morning they left.
 In the morning, sunlight streamed through the
window.
Rule 5
IV

Use a comma after an introductory adverb
clause.

Examples:
After I finish my homework, I will go to the park.
 When you go to the store, could you please
pick up a gallon of milk?


An adverb clause that comes at the end of a
sentence does not usually need a comma.

Example:

I will go to the park after I finish my homework.
Rule 6
 Use
commas in certain conventional
situations.
Rule 6
I
 Use
commas to separate items in dates
and addresses.

Examples:
 She
was born on January 26, 1988, in
Cheshire, Connecticut.
 A letter dated November 26, 1888, was found
in the old house at 980 West street,
Davenport, Iowa, yesterday.
Rule 6
II
 Use
a comma after the salutation of a
personal letter and after the closing of
any letter.
Work Cited
*Condensed from pages 294-309 of
Warriner’s Handbook
 Warriner,
John E. “Commas.” Warriner’s
Handbook: First Course. Austin: Holt,
Rinehart and Winston, 2008. 294-309. Print.