HOW TO USE A COMMA

WHAT’S WEIRD ABOUT THIS PICTURE?

MYTH:

You place a comma in a sentence whenever you take a breath.

FACT:

You use a comma to help clarify the intended meaning of your sentence.

THE VOCABULARY

SECTION I.

FIRST…

What’s the difference between

a phrase and a clause?

What’s the difference between

a dependent and an independent clause?

What is a conjunction?

CLAUSES V. PHRASES

CLAUSES

Must contain BOTH a subject and a predicate.

Examples:

When she forgot her car keys…

...things took a turn for the worse.

PHRASES

Do NOT require a subject or a predicate.

Examples:

Without her parents’ blessing…

After the earthquake…

DEPENDENT V. INDEPENDENT CLAUSES

DEPENDENT

Must contain BOTH a subject and a predicate.

CanNOT stand alone as a complete sentence.

Example:

Although the sun was shining…

INDEPENDENT

Must contain BOTH a subject and a predicate.

CAN stand alone as a complete sentence.

Example:

…It still felt like winter outside.

SUBORDINATORS

You can often spot a dependent clause by the use of the following signal words, called subordinators:

If As Before

Since While Unless

When Though After

Until Although Whether

Because Once

Come up with a clause that begins with one of these words. Does that clause sound like it can stand alone?

CONJUNCTION

A coordinating conjunction is a word (part of speech) used to connect words, phrases, clauses, and sentences.

To remember coordinating conjunctions, think of this acronym:

FANBOYS

For And Nor But Or Yet So

Click below to know more about how conjunctions function:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODGA7ssL-6g

REVIEW…To use a comma properly, you have to be able to identify:

1) Subjects

2) Predicates

3) Phrases

4) Dependent Clauses

5) Independent Clauses

6) Conjunctions

If you are foggy on any of the above, please review the previous slides and come up with an example for each term.

If you got, let’s continue.

TYPES OF SENTENCES

SECTION II.

COMPOUND SENTENCES

Example:

She lived in Cleveland all her life, so she wanted to go away for college.

Breakdown:

• She lived in Cleveland all her life. (independent clause)

• She wanted to go away for college. (independent clause)

• What’s the relationship between the clauses; what conjunction would work best to show that relationship?

• Place the comma after the first clause, followed by the conjunction, followed by the second clause.

EXERCISE A:

Compose a COMPOUND sentence from the following:

• The class unanimously replied with a “yes”.

• The teacher asked the class if they wanted an extension.

* * *

Where would you place the comma in these sentence?

• She often chews gum in class yet teachers never notice.

• We had terrible seats so we couldn’t see the band well.

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Remember: Without a conjunction, a compound sentence becomes a comma splice.

COMPLEX SENTENCES

Example:

After I finished my homework, I watched an episode of Jersey Shore.

Breakdown:

• After I finished my homework. (dependent clause)

• I watched an episode of Jersey Shore. (independent clause)

• What subordinators am I looking for; how do I know which clause is dependent?

• Use a comma ONLY if the dependent clause comes first.

EXERCISE BCompose a COMPLEX sentence from the following:

While I want to eat healthier.

I can’t resist grilled cheese and tomato soup.

* * *

Where would you place the comma in these sentences?

• After his parents were killed Bruce Wayne became Batman.

• I wouldn’t have made it if it weren’t for you.

• Once we get to high school life is going to be sweet.

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Remember: A complex sentence may include more than one dependent clause.

RUN-ON SENTENCESExample:

Walter has a dream of being a business owner, and he eventually gets the money to invest in a liquor store, but when his friend, Willie, runs

off with Walter’s money, it looks like his dream won’t come true.

Breakdown:

• Walter has a dream of being a business owner, and he eventually gets the money to invest in a liquor store. (compound sentence)

• But when his friend, Willie, runs off with Walter’s money, it looks like his dream won’t come true.

(complex sentence)

• A run-on results when you join multiple complete sentences with a comma (comma splice) and/or a conjunction.

EXERCISE CSplit up the run-on sentences below:

The teacher was almost finished with the lesson, but then the fire alarm was pulled, at least that gave him a chance to

enjoy the nice weather outside.

The Help earned a lot of critical acclaim, but some members of the Black community found it offensive, it portrayed a

simplified and sanitized view of the Jim Crow South, which is unfortunate, but it provided opportunities for working Black

actresses, yet once again, we see Blacks in roles of servants, maids, or otherwise powerless figures.

PHRASES & CLAUSES

SECTION III.

ESSENTIAL PHRASES & CLAUSES

Example:

The car that rear-ended me damaged my bumper.

Breakdown:

• The car… damaged my bumper. (base clause)

• ...that rear-ended me… (essential phrase)

• Essential clauses and phrases modify nouns.

• They are necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

• They do NOT require commas.

EXERCISE DIdentify the essential phrase or clause below:

• The chicken that we ate last night gave me food poisoning.

• A child who has siblings learns how to share early on.

Omit the essential phrase or clause. Does the meaning change?

• Dogs that bite should always wear muzzles in public.

• A person who lives in a glass house shouldn’t throw stones.

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Remember: If the modifying phrase or clause begins with “that”, it’s essential .

NONESSENTIAL PHRASES & CLAUSES

Example:

The trip to India, which lasts two weeks, will be a great cultural experience.

Breakdown:

• The trip… will be a great cultural experience. (base clause)

• …which lasts two weeks… (nonessential phrase)

• Nonessential phrases and clauses also modify nouns.

• They are NOT necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

• They DO require commas.

EXERCISE E

Add a NONESSENTIAL phrase or clause to each sentence:

• My sister is coming home for spring break.

• The Hunger Games movie is coming out soon.

* * *

Where would you place commas in these sentences?

• I actually enjoy math homework believe it or not.

• PEMDAS which I learned in middle school is an acronym used to remember order of operations.

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Remember: Nonessential phrases and clauses can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.

INTRODUCTORY WORDS

The following words are often used to introduce main sentences.

Yes Still Well

No First… Please

Meanwhile Then Sorry

Therefore In fact Thus

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Use commas to offset introductory words from sentences and other phrases and clauses.

Ex: Please, if you sneeze, you must cover your mouth.

COMMA RULES

SECTION III.

USE COMMAS TO…Separate two independent clauses (w/conjunction).

Separate dependent from independent clauses*.

Separate nonessential phrases and clauses from sentences.

Separate introductory words from sentences.

Separate three or more items in a list.

Separate two or more adjectives describing the same noun.

Separate a quote from the main sentence (unless embedded).

SO WHERE SHOULD THE COMMAS GO?I never thought we’d make it but here we are.

While I appreciate the offer I regretfully decline.

Without her music she can’t concentrate on her work.

Mr. Marquel a native of Los Angeles teaches MS English.

No children are allowed in the park.

When I go through airport security I have to remove my shoes belt wallet and hat which can be hassle sometimes.

I bit into a fresh delicious apple.

FIN

(¿Preguntas?)

© 2012 Dustin H. Marquel