Commas Commas Pages 259-272Pages 259-272

By Seth Murray and Garrett By Seth Murray and Garrett ThelenThelen

Where Commas Should Be UsedWhere Commas Should Be Used Before coordinating conjunctions joining Before coordinating conjunctions joining

independent clauses.independent clauses. After introductory word groups. After introductory word groups. Between all items in a series.Between all items in a series. Between coordinate adjectives not joined by Between coordinate adjectives not joined by andand.. To set off nonrestrictive elements.To set off nonrestrictive elements. To set off nouns of direct address, yes and no, To set off nouns of direct address, yes and no,

interrogative tags, and mild interjections.interrogative tags, and mild interjections. With expressions to set off direct quotations. With expressions to set off direct quotations. With dates, addresses, titles, and numbers.With dates, addresses, titles, and numbers. To set off transitional and parenthetical To set off transitional and parenthetical

expressions, absolute phrases, and contrasted expressions, absolute phrases, and contrasted elements. elements.

To avoid confusion.To avoid confusion.

Before Coordinating Conjunctions Before Coordinating Conjunctions Joining Independent ClausesJoining Independent Clauses

Seven Coordinating Conjunctions: and, Seven Coordinating Conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet. but, or, nor, for, so, and yet.

EXAMPLE: I hate to waste a single drop of EXAMPLE: I hate to waste a single drop of squid eyeball stew, for it is expensive and squid eyeball stew, for it is expensive and time-consuming to make. time-consuming to make.

After Introductory Word Groups After Introductory Word Groups

Introductory Word Groups – Word Introductory Word Groups – Word groups that usually tell when, where, groups that usually tell when, where, how, why, or under what conditions the how, why, or under what conditions the main action of the sentence occurred. main action of the sentence occurred.

EXAMPLE: Since Tiger was going EXAMPLE: Since Tiger was going through a 24 hour period of erectile through a 24 hour period of erectile dysfunction, he decided not to join dysfunction, he decided not to join Amy to teach her how too golf in a Amy to teach her how too golf in a secluded hotel room. secluded hotel room.

Between All Items in a SeriesBetween All Items in a Series

Series- A group with three or more Series- A group with three or more items. items.

EXAMPLE: This morning I woke up, EXAMPLE: This morning I woke up, felt like P-Diddy, got dressed, felt like P-Diddy, got dressed, brushed my teeth with a bottle of brushed my teeth with a bottle of jack, and turned on Katy Perry. jack, and turned on Katy Perry.

Between coordinate adjectives not Between coordinate adjectives not joined by joined by andand

Coordinate Adjectives- When two or Coordinate Adjectives- When two or more adjectives each modify a noun more adjectives each modify a noun separately.separately.

EXAMPLE: The poster depicted a EXAMPLE: The poster depicted a brown-haired, blue-eyed child brown-haired, blue-eyed child wearing a Canadian tuxedo. wearing a Canadian tuxedo.

To Set Off Nonrestrictive ElementsTo Set Off Nonrestrictive Elements

Nonrestrictive Elements- Word Nonrestrictive Elements- Word groups describing nouns or pronouns groups describing nouns or pronouns are restrictive or nonrestrictive. A are restrictive or nonrestrictive. A nonrestrictive element describes a nonrestrictive element describes a noun or a pronoun that has already noun or a pronoun that has already been clearly defined. been clearly defined.

EXAMPLE: Mr. Smith, who is a well-EXAMPLE: Mr. Smith, who is a well-respected lawyer, has just retired respected lawyer, has just retired from active practice. from active practice.

To Set Off Nouns of Direct Address, To Set Off Nouns of Direct Address, Interrogative Tags, and Mild Interrogative Tags, and Mild

InterjectionsInterjections Nouns of Direct Address- the name of Nouns of Direct Address- the name of

the person (normally) who is being the person (normally) who is being directly spoken to. Also applies to directly spoken to. Also applies to words like Sir, Ma’am, and Son. words like Sir, Ma’am, and Son.

EXAMPLE: Karen, you are looking EXAMPLE: Karen, you are looking mighty fine tonight. mighty fine tonight.

Interrogative Tags- A phrase in the Interrogative Tags- A phrase in the form of a question that is a spin off form of a question that is a spin off from the original statement. from the original statement.

To Set Off Nouns of Direct Address, To Set Off Nouns of Direct Address, Interrogative Tags, and Mild Interrogative Tags, and Mild

Interjections Interjections ContinuedContinued EXAMPLE: Honey, that was great, EXAMPLE: Honey, that was great,

wasn’t it?wasn’t it? Mild Interjections- Usually treated as Mild Interjections- Usually treated as

parenthetical elements. (Words like parenthetical elements. (Words like oh and well) oh and well)

EXAMPLE: Well, at least you enjoyed EXAMPLE: Well, at least you enjoyed it. it.

With Expressions To Set Off Direct With Expressions To Set Off Direct QuotationsQuotations

Direct Quotations- Something that is Direct Quotations- Something that is word for word the same as the word for word the same as the source. source.

EXAMPLE: Former President Bill EXAMPLE: Former President Bill Clinton remarked, “I did not have Clinton remarked, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky.” Ms. Lewinsky.”

With Dates, Addresses, Titles, and With Dates, Addresses, Titles, and NumbersNumbers

DATE EXAMPLE: On June 5, 1989, a DATE EXAMPLE: On June 5, 1989, a little boy started his journey through little boy started his journey through life. life.

ADDRESS EXAMPLE: Garrett Thelen ADDRESS EXAMPLE: Garrett Thelen was born in St. Johns, Michigan, in was born in St. Johns, Michigan, in 19891989

TITLE EXAMPLE: Seth Murray, Ph.D, is TITLE EXAMPLE: Seth Murray, Ph.D, is being sued for malpractice. being sued for malpractice.

NUMBERS EXAMPLE: 1,000,000 NUMBERS EXAMPLE: 1,000,000

To Set Off Transitional and Parenthetical To Set Off Transitional and Parenthetical Expressions, Absolute Phrases, and Expressions, Absolute Phrases, and

Contrasted ElementsContrasted Elements Transitional Expressions- Serve as bridges Transitional Expressions- Serve as bridges

between sentences or parts of sentences.between sentences or parts of sentences. EXAMPLE: They are real as a matter of EXAMPLE: They are real as a matter of

fact, I have had them since I was in Middle fact, I have had them since I was in Middle School. School.

Parenthetical Expressions- A phrase that Parenthetical Expressions- A phrase that provides supplemental information but provides supplemental information but interrupts the flow of a sentence or is at interrupts the flow of a sentence or is at the end of a sentence as an after thought. the end of a sentence as an after thought.

EXAMPLE: Bill, as far as we know, enjoys EXAMPLE: Bill, as far as we know, enjoys the touch of a man on his skin. the touch of a man on his skin.

To Set Off Transitional and Parenthetical To Set Off Transitional and Parenthetical Expressions, Absolute Phrases, and Expressions, Absolute Phrases, and

Contrasted Elements Contrasted Elements ContinuedContinued Absolute Phrases- Modifies the independent Absolute Phrases- Modifies the independent

clause as a whole.clause as a whole. EXAMPLE: Their slender bodies sleek and black EXAMPLE: Their slender bodies sleek and black

against the orange sky, the storks pooped above against the orange sky, the storks pooped above us.us.

Contrasted Elements- Sharp contrasts with words Contrasted Elements- Sharp contrasts with words like not, never, and unlike. like not, never, and unlike.

EXAMPLE: Unlike Darth Vader, Bill is from the EXAMPLE: Unlike Darth Vader, Bill is from the planet Earth. planet Earth.

To Avoid ConfusionTo Avoid Confusion

EXAMPLE: Everything that would EXAMPLE: Everything that would thought might happen, happened. thought might happen, happened.

EXAMPLE: Patients, who can walk up EXAMPLE: Patients, who can walk up and down the halls, walk several and down the halls, walk several times a day. times a day.

Where Commas Should Where Commas Should NOTNOT Be Used Be Used Between compound elements that are not Between compound elements that are not

independent clauses.independent clauses. To separate a verb from its subject or To separate a verb from its subject or

object.object. Before the first or after the last item in a Before the first or after the last item in a

series.series. Between cumulative adjectives, between Between cumulative adjectives, between

an adjective and a noun, or between an an adjective and a noun, or between an adverb and an adjective. adverb and an adjective.

To set off restrictive elements. To set off restrictive elements. To set off a concluding adverb clause that To set off a concluding adverb clause that

is essential to the meaning of the is essential to the meaning of the sentence. sentence.

Between Compound Elements that Between Compound Elements that are not Independent Clauses.are not Independent Clauses.

Independent Clause- A sentence that Independent Clause- A sentence that can stand by itself containing a can stand by itself containing a subject and a predicate.subject and a predicate.

EXAMPLE: John Smith discovered the EXAMPLE: John Smith discovered the meaning of lifemeaning of life,, and later jumped off and later jumped off a cliff. a cliff.

To Separate a Verb from its To Separate a Verb from its Subject or ObjectSubject or Object

EXAMPLE: Julie explained to himEXAMPLE: Julie explained to him,, that that she was tired and he would have to she was tired and he would have to wait until a different night. wait until a different night.

Before the First or After the Last Before the First or After the Last Item in a SeriesItem in a Series

Series- A group with three or more Series- A group with three or more items.items.

EXAMPLE: Bode Miller’s medals at EXAMPLE: Bode Miller’s medals at the Olympics arethe Olympics are,, gold, silver, and gold, silver, and bronzebronze,, but he is hoping for iron. but he is hoping for iron.

Between Cumulative Adjectives, Between Between Cumulative Adjectives, Between an Adjective and a Noun, or Between an an Adjective and a Noun, or Between an

Adverb and an Adjective.Adverb and an Adjective. Cumulative Adjectives- Two or more Cumulative Adjectives- Two or more

adjectives that do not modify the noun adjectives that do not modify the noun separately.separately.

EXAMPLE: The formerEXAMPLE: The former,, overweight woman overweight woman told us how she lost fifty-five pounds. told us how she lost fifty-five pounds.

ADJECTIVE AND NOUN EXAMPLE: It was a ADJECTIVE AND NOUN EXAMPLE: It was a scary, pointlessscary, pointless,, game. game.

ADVERB AND ADJECTIVE EXAMPLE: The old ADVERB AND ADJECTIVE EXAMPLE: The old High School is not suitable for teaching our High School is not suitable for teaching our severelyseverely,, deprived children. deprived children.

To Set Off Restrictive ElementsTo Set Off Restrictive Elements

Restrictive Elements- Word groups Restrictive Elements- Word groups describing nouns or pronouns are describing nouns or pronouns are restrictive or nonrestrictive. A restrictive or nonrestrictive. A restrictive element defines or limits restrictive element defines or limits the meaning of the word it modifies the meaning of the word it modifies making it essential to the meaning of making it essential to the meaning of the sentence.the sentence.

EXAMPLE: William Faulkner's novelEXAMPLE: William Faulkner's novel,, Light in AugustLight in August,, is my favorite book. is my favorite book.

To Set off a Concluding Adverb Clause To Set off a Concluding Adverb Clause that is Essential to the Meaning of the that is Essential to the Meaning of the

Sentence.Sentence. Adverb Clause- Adverb clauses show Adverb Clause- Adverb clauses show

relationships such as time, cause and relationships such as time, cause and effect, contrast, and condition.effect, contrast, and condition.

EXAMPLE: Don’t visit Mexico right EXAMPLE: Don’t visit Mexico right nownow,, unless you know some powerful unless you know some powerful drug lords. drug lords.

TRY AND EDIT THE TRY AND EDIT THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES FOLLOWING SENTENCES

(HINT: Pay attention to comma use.)(HINT: Pay attention to comma use.)

I hate going to that pointless class I hate going to that pointless class yet I end up going everyday. yet I end up going everyday.

CORRECT: I hate going to that CORRECT: I hate going to that pointless class, yet I end up going pointless class, yet I end up going everyday. everyday.

WHY: Because it’s a WHY: Because it’s a coordinating coordinating conjunctions joining independent conjunctions joining independent clauses!clauses!

Harry Bottom’s new novel, Harry Bottom’s new novel, Monkey Monkey Love, Love, is so amazing. is so amazing.

CORRECT: Bottom’s new novel CORRECT: Bottom’s new novel Monkey Love Monkey Love is so amazing. is so amazing.

WHY: Because WHY: Because Monkey Love Monkey Love is a is a restrictive element!restrictive element!

Antonio’s siblings back home in Antonio’s siblings back home in Mexico are named Maria, Jose, and Mexico are named Maria, Jose, and George Lopez but he is hoping for a George Lopez but he is hoping for a Paco.Paco.

CORRECT: It is already CORRECT!CORRECT: It is already CORRECT! WHY: You don’t need a comma WHY: You don’t need a comma

before the First or After the Last Item before the First or After the Last Item in a Series.in a Series.

Garrett Thelen also known as White Garrett Thelen also known as White Lightening used to be the lead singer Lightening used to be the lead singer of White Snake.of White Snake.

Incorrect: This is a Incorrect: This is a Nonrestrictive Nonrestrictive Element.Element.

The correct way is: The correct way is: Garrett Thelen, also Garrett Thelen, also known as White Lightening, used to known as White Lightening, used to be the lead singer of White Snake.be the lead singer of White Snake.