let’s eat grandma! -----> let’s eat, grandma!

11

• Let’s eat Grandma! -----> Let’s eat, Grandma!• While we were eating a rattlesnake approached our campsite. ---> While we were eating a rattlesnake approached our campsite. ---> ??• If you cook Ingrid will wash the dishes.--> If you cook Ingrid will wash the dishes.--> ??

*A kamikazi is defined by Dictionary.com as the following:“3. a person or thing that behaves in a wildly reckless or destructive manner.”

Are You a Comma-kazi*?--a destroyer of sentence

meaning?

UWF WRITING LAB RULES UWF WRITING LAB RULES OF THUMB FOR COMMA OF THUMB FOR COMMA

USAGEUSAGE

fromfrom Real Good Grammar, Too Real Good Grammar, Too

by Mamie Webb Hixonby Mamie Webb Hixon

22PowerPoint Created by April PowerPoint Created by April

Turner Revised by Mamie Webb Turner Revised by Mamie Webb Hixon June 25, 2010Hixon June 25, 2010

Let’s eat Grandpa.Let’s eat Grandpa.Whenever you can come and visit me in Hawaii.Whenever you can come and visit me in Hawaii.

While we were eating a rattlesnake approached our While we were eating a rattlesnake approached our campsite.campsite.

If you cook Ingrid will wash the dishes.If you cook Ingrid will wash the dishes.

Without the comma in the sentences Without the comma in the sentences above, the sentence parts collide, above, the sentence parts collide, causing misreadings and impeding causing misreadings and impeding

communication.communication.

33

WHICH THEORY DO YOU WHICH THEORY DO YOU USE?USE?

Comma SprinklingComma SprinklingDramatic PauseDramatic Pause

When in doubt, leave it out.When in doubt, leave it out.

44

Do not place commas because of pauses.Do not place commas because of pauses.

USE COMMAS based on rules and concepts:USE COMMAS based on rules and concepts:(1) (1) Introductory ElementsIntroductory Elements

(2) (2) Items in a seriesItems in a series(3) (3) InterruptersInterrupters

(4) (4) Nonessential/nonrestrictive informationNonessential/nonrestrictive information

Because of his technological skills set Because of his technological skills set (1) (1) modems modems (2) (2) bandwidths bandwidths (2) (2) applications applications (2) (2) and programming and programming

languages languages (3)(3) for example for example (3) (3) dance continually in dance continually in the mind of Microsoft creator Bill Gates the mind of Microsoft creator Bill Gates (4) (4) a a

renowned philanthropist.renowned philanthropist.

55

““The Oxford Comma”The Oxford Comma”

Stephen Colbert (6/3/10) quoting Strunk and White in Stephen Colbert (6/3/10) quoting Strunk and White in defense of the "Oxford Comma.”defense of the "Oxford Comma.”

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/31

0042/june-03-2010/vampire-weekend

66

USE A COMMAUSE A COMMA

With one of the With one of the fanboysfanboys ((ffor, or, aand, nd, nnor, or, bbut, ut, oor, r, yyet, et, sso) to connect two o) to connect two independent independent clauses/sentences.clauses/sentences. -The political pressure -The political pressure continued, and the candidate continued, and the candidate resigned.resigned.

-Columbus wanted to find a -Columbus wanted to find a new way of reaching the new way of reaching the Indies, and he also hoped to Indies, and he also hoped to prove a new theory about the prove a new theory about the shape of the earth.shape of the earth.

-Many are called, but few are -Many are called, but few are chosenchosen..

77

DO NOT USE A COMMADO NOT USE A COMMA

With one of the With one of the fanboysfanboys ((ffor, or, aand, nd, nnor, or, bbut, ut, oor, r, yyet, et, sso) to connect o) to connect compound parts of compound parts of sentences.sentences.-Injuries are -Injuries are common and common and probably inevitableprobably inevitable for for professional athletes.professional athletes.

If no sentence follows the If no sentence follows the fanboyfanboy, then no comma is , then no comma is necessary.necessary.-Injuries can cause athletes to -Injuries can cause athletes to miss games miss games and can even and can even end their careers.end their careers.

88


Especially with “and” when Especially with “and” when “and” does not separate “and” does not separate two sentencestwo sentencesThe senator brought The senator brought millions of dollars to his millions of dollars to his home state of Kentucky home state of Kentucky and was an ardent and was an ardent opponent of the war in opponent of the war in Iraq.Iraq.

A comma is not spelled A comma is not spelled comma a-n-d; that is, do comma a-n-d; that is, do not place a comma not place a comma before “and” unless before “and” unless “and” connects two “and” connects two sentencessentences.. 99


To separate introductory To separate introductory elements from the main elements from the main part of the sentence.part of the sentence.

Introductory elements Introductory elements include words, phrases, include words, phrases, and clauses.and clauses.

If I do not hear from you If I do not hear from you within a week, I will within a week, I will assume that the assume that the information we already information we already have is adequate. have is adequate.

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To separate nonrestrictive To separate nonrestrictive (nonessential or non-defining) (nonessential or non-defining) information from the rest of the information from the rest of the sentence. sentence.

--Westerners generally understand Westerners generally understand very little about the Middle East, very little about the Middle East, where much of the world’s oil is where much of the world’s oil is located.located.

--The scout leader, The scout leader, tired and hungrytired and hungry, , trudged up the hill.trudged up the hill.

-Women, -Women, who have rarely been who have rarely been treated equally in the job markettreated equally in the job market, , still tend to be relatively underpaid.still tend to be relatively underpaid.

1111


To set off restrictive (essential or To set off restrictive (essential or defining) information with defining) information with commas .commas .

--Twain’s novel Twain’s novel Huckleberry FinnHuckleberry Finn is is on the high school censored list.on the high school censored list.

Children Children who like to play with who like to play with electrical outletselectrical outlets should be should be carefully monitored.carefully monitored.

The town The town where I was bornwhere I was born, which , which has a population of 3,000, offers has a population of 3,000, offers very little in the way of very little in the way of entertainment for teenagers.entertainment for teenagers.

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After any proper noun, the After any proper noun, the modifier will be nonrestrictive.modifier will be nonrestrictive.--Herbert Hoover, Herbert Hoover, elected President elected President in 1928in 1928, was the first president born , was the first president born west of the Mississippi.west of the Mississippi.

After any qualifying common After any qualifying common noun, the modifier will be noun, the modifier will be nonrestrictive.nonrestrictive.

The highest mountain in the world, The highest mountain in the world, which resisted the efforts of which resisted the efforts of climbers until 1953climbers until 1953, looks truly , looks truly forbidding and formidable from the forbidding and formidable from the air.air.

1313


With a restrictive (defining, With a restrictive (defining, limiting) modifier. Note that limiting) modifier. Note that “that” clauses are always “that” clauses are always restrictive.restrictive.-The bus -The bus that I ride to work that I ride to work is is always late, but the people always late, but the people who who work with me work with me are always early.are always early.

1414


To separate direct To separate direct quotations from the phrase quotations from the phrase identifying the speaker.identifying the speaker.--John remarked, “No fishing John remarked, “No fishing is allowed in the Gulf is allowed in the Gulf because of the oil spill.”because of the oil spill.”

DO NOT USE A COMMA PRECEDING ANDO NOT USE A COMMA PRECEDING ANINDIRECT QUOTATION.INDIRECT QUOTATION.

-The President said that he -The President said that he would make four “nonpolitical” would make four “nonpolitical” speeches in the month before speeches in the month before the election.the election.

1515


To separate the names of To separate the names of smaller geographic units smaller geographic units from the names of larger from the names of larger units. units. --Denver, Colorado, is called Denver, Colorado, is called the Mile High City.the Mile High City.

-Juneteenth is celebrated in -Juneteenth is celebrated in Laredo, Texas, every year Laredo, Texas, every year on June 19.on June 19.

1616


To separate the names of To separate the names of smaller geographic units smaller geographic units from the names of larger from the names of larger units. units. The city of Liverpool, England, is The city of Liverpool, England, is well-known for being the home of well-known for being the home of the Beatles and for having a the Beatles and for having a champion soccer team.champion soccer team.

Send all correspondences regarding Send all correspondences regarding the Pelican Drop to Stewart the Pelican Drop to Stewart Hoffman, Public Relations, City of Hoffman, Public Relations, City of Pensacola, 123 Palafox Street, Pensacola, 123 Palafox Street, Pensacola, Florida 32501, by Pensacola, Florida 32501, by December 12.December 12.

1717


To separate items in a date. To separate items in a date. Omit the comma when just the Omit the comma when just the month and year or month and month and year or month and day are given or when the date day are given or when the date is written in military sequence. is written in military sequence.

-Kennedy was assassinated on -Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. Texas.

-The stock market crashed on -The stock market crashed on 29 October 1929.29 October 1929.

-May 1968 was the time of the -May 1968 was the time of the famous uprising.famous uprising.

1818


To separate names of titles or To separate names of titles or degrees that follow the name. degrees that follow the name. -Harold Johnson, Ph.D., will speak in the -Harold Johnson, Ph.D., will speak in the Commons on Tuesday.Commons on Tuesday.

Professor Monica Wu, faculty adviser, is not Professor Monica Wu, faculty adviser, is not holding office hours today.holding office hours today.

OMIT THE COMMA PRECEDING A ROMAN OMIT THE COMMA PRECEDING A ROMAN NUMERAL DENOTING BIRTH RANK. NUMERAL DENOTING BIRTH RANK. USAGE IS DIVIDED REGARDING THE USAGE IS DIVIDED REGARDING THE COMMA WITH “JR.” AND “SR.” COMMA WITH “JR.” AND “SR.”

Queen Elizabeth II Leon Rankins IIIQueen Elizabeth II Leon Rankins IIIMartin Luther King, Jr. ORMartin Luther King, Jr. ORMartin Luther King Jr.Martin Luther King Jr.Sammy Davis, Jr. was a founding member Sammy Davis, Jr. was a founding member

of Hollywood’s Rat Pack.of Hollywood’s Rat Pack.1919

USE A COMMAUSE A COMMA To separate short, closely To separate short, closely

interrelated clauses in a interrelated clauses in a series.series.

-Savanna phoned, Justin stopped -Savanna phoned, Justin stopped by, and Alex left a message.by, and Alex left a message.

-I came, I saw, I conquered.-I came, I saw, I conquered.

-It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s -It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Superman.Superman.

To mark allowable omissions To mark allowable omissions of repeated words, especially of repeated words, especially verbs. verbs.

-Your analysis is superb; your -Your analysis is superb; your execution, appallingexecution, appalling..

2020


To separate three or more items To separate three or more items or phrases in a series.or phrases in a series.-Golfing, swimming, and bowling -Golfing, swimming, and bowling are my favorite activities.are my favorite activities.

-My worries keep returning to -My worries keep returning to inflation, unemployment, and inflation, unemployment, and natural disasters.natural disasters.

DO NOT USE A COMMA IF THE ITEMS IN THE SERIES ARE DO NOT USE A COMMA IF THE ITEMS IN THE SERIES ARE ALREADY SEPARATED BY CONJUNCTIONS.ALREADY SEPARATED BY CONJUNCTIONS.

-To lose weight, Cyndi jogs and -To lose weight, Cyndi jogs and swims and lifts weights.swims and lifts weights.-Critics described the film as big -Critics described the film as big and brash and brilliant.and brash and brilliant.

2121

USE A COMMAUSE A COMMA To separate To separate cumulative adjectives cumulative adjectives (a series of (a series of

two or more adjectives not connected by a two or more adjectives not connected by a conjunction) if the order of the adjectives can be conjunction) if the order of the adjectives can be reversed and still retain the same meaning.reversed and still retain the same meaning.

-Your friend is a clever, sensitive person.-Your friend is a clever, sensitive person.[Your friend is a sensitive, clever person.][Your friend is a sensitive, clever person.]

-Leftist critics continue to shred her as a cynical, -Leftist critics continue to shred her as a cynical, shallow, ill-informed opportunist.shallow, ill-informed opportunist.

-The pundit called the politician a self- -The pundit called the politician a self- aggrandizing, gaffe-prone, incompetent narcissist.aggrandizing, gaffe-prone, incompetent narcissist.

2222


To separate a series of two or more adjectives not To separate a series of two or more adjectives not connected by a conjunction if the order of the connected by a conjunction if the order of the adjectives adjectives cannot becannot be reversed and still retain the reversed and still retain the same meaning.same meaning.

The docudrama presents an intensely vivid, The docudrama presents an intensely vivid, compelling,compelling,

NO COMMANO COMMA anxiety-producinganxiety-producing⌃⌃ account of the tsunami. account of the tsunami.

NO COMMANO COMMAI prefer reading a I prefer reading a longlong⌃⌃ short short story to reading a story to reading a long Grisham novel.long Grisham novel.

2323


To provide clarity and prevent To provide clarity and prevent misreading, even if none of the misreading, even if none of the other rules apply.other rules apply. -We left him, assured that he -We left him, assured that he would fail.would fail. (We were sure that he would fail.)(We were sure that he would fail.)-We left him assured that he -We left him assured that he would fail.would fail. (He was sure that he would fail.)(He was sure that he would fail.)

2424


To separate interrupters or parenthetical To separate interrupters or parenthetical and transitional words from the rest of the and transitional words from the rest of the sentence. sentence. -Most of them, however, do try to act -Most of them, however, do try to act friendly and courteous.friendly and courteous.

-The deficit, as a matter of fact, has -The deficit, as a matter of fact, has continued to grow.continued to grow.

2525

USE A COMMAUSE A COMMA To separate contradictory To separate contradictory

statements from the rest of statements from the rest of the sentence.the sentence. --The concert is scheduled for The concert is scheduled for today, not tomorrow.today, not tomorrow.

-The child needs help, not -The child needs help, not admonishment.admonishment.

-It was a difficult, but by no -It was a difficult, but by no means impossible, means impossible, assignment to do.assignment to do.

-In 1776, the U.S. became a -In 1776, the U.S. became a country governed by “the country governed by “the consent of the governed,” not consent of the governed,” not by a monarch.by a monarch.

2626

USE A COMMAUSE A COMMA To separate names used in To separate names used in

direct address or other direct address or other isolates such as isolates such as yesyes, , nono, and , and thank youthank you from the rest from the rest of the of the sentence.sentence.--Tell me, Tell me, ShelbyShelby, did you vote , did you vote for Sarah Palin?for Sarah Palin?

--NoNo, I am voting for myself., I am voting for myself.

-Hello, -Hello, YohanssenYohanssen,,

-Greetings, Classmates:-Greetings, Classmates:

2727


To separate tag questions from the rest of the To separate tag questions from the rest of the sentence. sentence. -You did that on purpose, didn't you?-You did that on purpose, didn't you?

To separate words and abbreviations that To separate words and abbreviations that introduce an example or an illustration, including introduce an example or an illustration, including namelynamely, , that isthat is, , to witto wit, , i.e.i.e., , e.g.e.g., , for examplefor example, and , and for instancefor instance..-Many of my friends, for example, Fred, Dean, -Many of my friends, for example, Fred, Dean, and Pete, like to golf.and Pete, like to golf.

2828

LET’S PRACTICELET’S PRACTICE

I have told one million lies in my life and that is the I have told one million lies in my life and that is the Gospel truth.Gospel truth.

……lifelife,, and that… and that… As a child I was the kind of kid my mother told me not As a child I was the kind of kid my mother told me not

to play with.to play with. As a childAs a child,, I was… I was…

Denver which is the capital of Colorado has an altitude Denver which is the capital of Colorado has an altitude of one mile.of one mile. DenverDenver,, which is the capital of Colorado which is the capital of Colorado,, has… has…

The city which is the capital of Colorado has an altitude The city which is the capital of Colorado has an altitude of one mile.of one mile.

No commas (restrictive)No commas (restrictive)

2929

LET’S PRACTICE A LITTLE MORELET’S PRACTICE A LITTLE MORE

Linda asked “Do you think she’ll ever speak to him Linda asked “Do you think she’ll ever speak to him again?”again?”

Linda askedLinda asked,, “Do you… “Do you… Paxton Florida is the home of the mighty Bobcats.Paxton Florida is the home of the mighty Bobcats.

PaxtonPaxton,, Florida Florida,, is the… is the… The Declaration of Independence was signed on The Declaration of Independence was signed on

August 2 1776.August 2 1776. ……August 2, 1776.August 2, 1776.

July 2015 is the date for the city’s centennial July 2015 is the date for the city’s centennial celebration.celebration.

No comma (2 items in the date)No comma (2 items in the date)

3030

MORE PRACTICEMORE PRACTICE

The commencement speaker was Juliet Brown Ph.D.The commencement speaker was Juliet Brown Ph.D. ……Juliet BrownJuliet Brown,, Ph.D. Ph.D.

He shot pool he drank Anchor Steam beer and he He shot pool he drank Anchor Steam beer and he rarely went home.rarely went home. He shot poolHe shot pool,, he drank Anchor Steam beer he drank Anchor Steam beer,, and he and he

rarely went home.rarely went home. To the winners we give prizes; to the losers To the winners we give prizes; to the losers

consolation; and to the spectators a good show.consolation; and to the spectators a good show. ……to the loserto the loser,, consolation; and to the spectators consolation; and to the spectators, , a a

good show.good show.

3131

ALMOST THEREALMOST THERE

The morning after a policeman came to the The morning after a policeman came to the door.door.

The morning afterThe morning after,, a policeman… a policeman… Jeff collected a change of clothing shoes and Jeff collected a change of clothing shoes and

golf gear before he set off for the day.golf gear before he set off for the day. ……a change of clothinga change of clothing, , shoesshoes,, and golf gear… and golf gear… A large green bug settled on the torn autumn A large green bug settled on the torn autumn

leaf.leaf. No correction is necessary. No correction is necessary.

3232

WE’RE IN THE HOME STRETCHWE’RE IN THE HOME STRETCH

The order however was not filled that day.The order however was not filled that day. The orderThe order,, however however,, was not… was not…

PneumoniaPneumonia begins with a begins with a pp not an not an nn.. ……with a with a pp,, not an not an nn..

Thank you Susan.Thank you Susan. Thank youThank you,, Susan. Susan.

3333

LAST ONESLAST ONES

You’re going aren’t you?You’re going aren’t you? You’re goingYou’re going,, aren’t you? aren’t you?

When you walk does your left arm swing with When you walk does your left arm swing with your right or left leg?your right or left leg?

When you walkWhen you walk,, . . . . . . Many of my friends for example Rachel, Many of my friends for example Rachel,

Jennifer, and Allen, enjoy going to the movies.Jennifer, and Allen, enjoy going to the movies. Many of my friendsMany of my friends,, for example for example,, Rachel Rachel,…,…

3434

let’s eat grandma! -----> let’s eat, grandma!

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