commas. the punctuation that saves lives and keeps...

Commas. The punctuation that saves lives and keeps baby seals off the dance floor.

!1

Let's eat Grandma. Let's eat, Grandma.

Comma RulesSometimes commas are a must in writing; sometimes, however, commas are optional. It just depends on what thought or message the writer is trying to convey.

This presentation will review the rules you generally follow when using commas in your writing.

!2

When must you use a comma?1. To separate independent clauses joined by one of the FANBOYS

2. To separate 3 or more items in a series

3. Between 2 or more adjectives of equal rank

4. After introductory words, phrases, and clauses

5. To set off interrupting words, phrases, and clauses

6. To set off a noun of direct address

7. To set off appositives

8. For clarity; to avoid confusing sentences

!3

Separate two or more independent clauses

Use with one of the FANBOYS when it joins independent clauses in a sentence. For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

I am going to Disneyworld this summer, and I am really excited about it.

The dogs barked all night long, so I didn't sleep very well.

The dogs barked, the cats howled, and the guinea pigs squeaked.

Sometimes, if two independent clauses are very short, a comma is not necessary.

The rain stopped and the sun came out.!4

Separate 3 or more items in a series

A series is 3 or more related words or phrases.

The items in the series can be subjects, verbs, direct objects, adjectives, adverbs, or almost any other part of a sentence.

Use one fewer comma than there are items. For example, if your sentence has 3 items, you will need 2 commas.

Strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion are the four families of instruments. (4 items, 3 commas)

The tree was old, twisted, and leafless. (3 items, 2 commas)

My favorite activities are playing piano, reading historical fiction, and running cross-country. (Items can have more than 1 word.)

!5

Between 2 or more adjectives of equal rank

Should this sentence have a comma between "clever" and "likable"?

In his youth, Thomas Edison was a clever likable prankster.

To decide if the adjectives are of equal rank, try these two tests:

1. Read the sentence with "and."

In his youth, Thomas Edison was a clever and likable prankster.

The sentence still makes sense, so replace "and" with a comma.

In his youth, Thomas Edison was a clever, likable prankster.

2. Reverse the adjectives.

In his youth, Thomas Edison was a likable clever prankster.

The meaning of the sentence hasn't changed, so use a comma.

In his youth, Thomas Edison was a clever, likable prankster.

!6

After introductory words, phrases, and clauses

Oh, I need a new phone.

Arriving late, Wendy was flustered and out of breath.

After I came home late, I was grounded for a month.

!7

Interrupting words and phrases

Use commas to set off words or phrases that break the flow of thought in a sentence.

You know, of course, the purpose of this meeting.

We will meet again next week, by the way.

!8

Noun of direct address

A noun of direct address names the person or group being spoken to.

Jackie, will you help me with this?

Once again, Harold, you have rudely interrupted our conversation.

Hang this poster on the wall, Mattie.

Eighth-graders, sit on the top row of bleachers; seventh-graders, sit on the bottom row.

!9

AppositivesAn appositive is a word or group of words that renames or defines the noun that precedes it.

If the appositive is not necessary to identify the noun, use commas around it.

The old lane, a tree-lined gravel path, is a great place to walk on a hot afternoon.

If the appositive is necessary for understanding the meaning of the sentence, do not use commas around it.

The miniseries Band of Brothers is my all-time favorite film to watch.

!10

For clarityUse a comma whenever a sentence would be confusing or unclear without one.

Thomas Edison built a huge laboratory for inventing his life's work.

Was the laboratory for "inventing his life's work"? Or was it for inventing, which happened to be his life's work? A correctly placed comma can make the meaning of the sentence clear:

Thomas Edison built a huge laboratory for inventing, his life's work.

!11

Your turn to practice See if you can add commas to correct the sentences below.

1. The top sellers were Carlene Michael and Joey.

1. The top sellers were Carlene, Michael, and Joey.

"Carlene, Michael, and Joey" are items in a series that need to be separated by commas.

2. Jake ate dinner watched a movie and visited friends.

2. Jake ate dinner, watched a movie, and visited friends.

"Ate dinner, watched a movie, and visited friends" are also items in a series; the items consist of a verb and the verb's object.

!12


3. Maria our new friend is from Chicago.

3. Maria, our new friend, is from Chicago.

"Our new friend" is an appositive that needs commas because it is not necessary to identify the noun.

4. When the wind rises too high the boats lower their sails.

4. When the wind rises too high, the boats lower their sails.

"When the wind rises too high" is a dependent clause; introductory clauses need to be followed by a comma.

!13


5. Ansley did you remember to feed the guinea pigs?

5. Ansley, did you remember to feed the guinea pigs?

"Ansley" is a noun of direct address.

6. In some parts of the prairie dogs run wild.

6. In some parts of the prairie, dogs run wild.

This sentence needs a comma after prairie so that it's clear the sentence is not about prairie dogs.

!14


7. My brother gulping his food raced through his meal.

7. My brother, gulping his food, raced through his meal.

"Gulping his food" interrupts the flow of the sentence and needs commas to set it off.

8. They thought they had arrived too early but I explained they hadn't.

8. They thought they had arrived too early, but I explained they hadn't.

This sentence needs a comma before the "but" to separate the two independent clauses. ("But" is one of the FANBOYS.)

!15

commas. the punctuation that saves lives and keeps...

Documents