Microlab 3B-COMMA USAGE

Placed correctly, commas help create a clear meaning. Placed incorrectly, commas can distort meaning and confuse readers. Good writers learn when—and when not—to use commas for the sake of clarity in their writing.

This microlab will help you: * Understand the many uses of a comma* Recognize comma errors* Repair comma errors

Review of Commas

The comma is the punctuation mark that has the greatest variety of uses in English. This review will help explain and give examples of the many uses of this important punctuation mark.

Commas serve two basic functions in a sentence. Some commas separate a word, phrase, or clause from the rest of the sentence. Other commas enclose a word, phrase, or clause that is not essential to the central meaning of a sentence.

COMMAS THAT SEPARATE

I. Between independent clauses [two complete sentences]:

Use commas to separate independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as “and,” “but,” “or ”etc.), or correlative conjunctions (“either...or,” “neither…nor,” etc.). The comma goes before the conjunction:

Correct: The clown’s performance was familiar, yet it always brought laughs. Incorrect: The clown’s performance was familiar yet it always brought laughs.

Notice how each of the independent clauses below are separated by a comma:

Correct: She watched the pendulum swing back and forth, but it failed to hypnotize her.Correct: Either Ho Kwong will drive us to town, or we will take the bus.

Sometimes the comma between two independent clauses is essential to prevent misreading:

Correct: The animals quickly got used to the fenced yard, and the goat seemed like a pet. Incorrect: The animals quickly got used to the fenced yard and the goat seemed like a pet.

Without the comma, the reader might read the meaning of the sentence differently. Did the animals get used to the fenced yard and the goat, or did the animals only get used to the fenced yard?

You can learn more about using commas with independent clauses in any grammar book: see “independent clauses” and “coordinating conjunctions.”

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If you place the comma before the subject (or any adjectives modifying the subject), you’ll usually be ok!

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II. Introductory words/phrases:

Use a comma to separate introductory words or phrases (such as also, however, in addition to, etc.) from the rest of the sentence. Put the comma after anything that comes before the subject of the sentence:

(Paris Hilton is the name of the celebrity in the photo on the right.)Correct: Before leaving, Paris Hilton hosted an unforgettable party. Incorrect: Before leaving Paris Hilton hosted an unforgettable party.

** Without the comma, the reader might think that someone named Hilton put on a party before leaving Paris.

Notice how the commas separate each of the introductory words in the sentences below:

In addition to homework, students often have to work part-time. While the band played, six dancers entertained the crowd. Frustrated, the researcher tossed her notes out of the window. However, she didn’t seem to fully appreciate what he was doing for her.

III. Lists:

When three or more items occur in a list (called a “series”), commas separate each item.

Be sure to place a comma before the “and” that precedes the last item in the series!!!

Correct: There were many Thai treats behind the glass, including khanom chan, thong ek, and krachao sida. Correct: I went to the store to buy flour, eggs, milk, and cookies.Incorrect: My dad’s job includes market research, report writing and research and development.

**See how confusing this sentence is without the comma???**

With a series of phrases, three or more phrases in a series are separated by commas:

Correct: The catalog described tools for the shop, furniture for the home, and items for the office.

With a series of clauses, three or more clauses in a series are also separated by commas:

Correct: Fans cheered, flags waved, and fireworks exploded.

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Notice that a comma is not used between the state and the zip code.

IV. Dates, addresses, titles:

Use commas to separate parts of dates, items in addresses, and titles that follow names.

Dates: Commas separate the day, the date of the month, and the year:

Correct: She chose Tuesday, December 19, 2006 as her wedding day.

Addresses: Commas separate the name, street address, city name, and state name:

Correct: Last year, I worked for ATC Enterprises, 208 Gilmore Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21233.

Titles: Commas separate titles and degrees that follow names:

Correct: Rita Ortiz, Ph.D., invited the audience to ask questions.

**If the title precedes the name, no comma is used:

Correct: Vice President Tony Frangillo read the startling report.

V. Quotations:

Use commas to separate expressions like “he said” and “she answered” from a direct quotation. A comma that follows a direct quotation belongs inside the quotation marks:

Correct: “Leave the rest,” he said, “to the police department.”Correct: She asked, “Which door is the exit?”

*Notice that no comma is used when a direct quotation ends with its own punctuation.

Correct: “Sound the alarm!” he shouted.

VI. Between two adjectives:

When you have two different adjectives modifying the same noun without a conjunction, you need to have a comma between them. This can save a lot of confusion!

Which sentence is which?Look at that big hot dog! OR Look at that big, hot dog! Your reader would be greatly confused if

you were talking about a big dog that happened to be really hot if you forgot that comma! However, if you’re talking about a “hot dog,” your readers would be confused if you had the comma present!

“iluhjkkjnkj”

Phrases and clauses (often beginning with “which”) that provide extra but nonessential information should be enclosed by commas.

Restrictive phrases and clauses typically begin with the word “that” (not “which”) and are not enclosed by commas.

COMMAS THAT ENCLOSE

VII. Nonrestrictive phrases:

Use commas to enclose groups of words that provide additional information not essential to the basic meaning of the sentence:

Basic sentence: The oil painting bore a famous artist’s signature.Additional information: stored in the attic for yearsCombined (with commas): The oil painting, stored in the attic for years, bore a famous

artist’s signature.

The portion of this sentence enclosed by commas is called a nonrestrictive phrase. A nonrestrictive phrase gives additional information that does not affect the basic meaning of the sentence. In fact, the nonrestrictive phrase could be removed, and the sentence would still make sense.

Nonrestrictive phrases may often times be set off by parentheses or dashes. This may help the clarity if there is a comma within the nonrestrictive phrase (see Microlab 6—Parentheses and Dashes):

Correct: The plants—which had not been cared for—sat wilting in the corner.Correct: The twins (who wore identical shorts, blouses, and even socks) caught many long stares as they walked through the store.

Nonrestrictive phrases often begin with “which”:

Correct: The assignment, which I finished yesterday, was not difficult.

VIII. Restrictive phrases:

A group of words that provides descriptive or identifying information essential to the basic meaning of the sentence should not be enclosed by commas and is called a restrictive phrase:

Correct: Students who keep up with reading assignments do well on finals.

The underlined portion of this sentence tells us which students do well on finals and is therefore essential to the meaning of the sentence. (Notice how the meaning changes when the underlined words are omitted from the sentence.)

Correct: The car that I bought last year continues to run well.

The phrase “that I bought last year” tells us which car runs well.

These identifying groups of words are called restrictive phrases. They limit or restrict the meaning of the sentence by providing identifying information:

Correct: The boat that comes in first will win a prize.

IX. Nonessential words:

Use a pair of commas to enclose nonessential words that interrupt the flow of the sentence:

Correct: None of the trees, however, suffered damage.Correct: Her best dancing, in fact, came early in her career.

X. Names:

Use commas to enclose the names of people addressed directly by the sentence:

George is the person being spoken about in this sentence, so his name is set off by commas:Correct: My favorite friend, George, loves swimming in non-polluted

lakes.

In this sentence, Sally is being addressed directly, so her name is set off by commas:

Correct: Regular practice, Sally, brings steady improvement.

A Handy Reminder: When you are unsure if a comma should be used, decide whether the comma will make the meaning of the sentence clearer. If so, include the comma. If not, leave the comma out!

Key Points to Remember:

1. Commas are used to separate parts of a sentence:- Clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction- Introductory words or phrases- Items, phrases, or clauses in a series- Parts of dates, addresses, and titles that follow a name- Words like “he said” in direct quotation- Two adjectives modifying the same noun

2. Commas are used to enclose parts of a sentence:- Phrases or clauses that supply additional, nonessential information- Nonessential words that interrupt the sentence- The name of a person addressed directly

Microlab 3B Quiz–COMMA USAGE

SECTION 1: Recognizing Comma Errors

INSTRUCTIONS: Find the correct sentence and mark its letter (A or B) on the red answer sheet. You may refer to the section number within the parentheses for additional help.

1. A. I washed my car yesterday, and Harry helped me dry it with a towel.B. I washed my car yesterday and Harry helped me dry it with a towel. (I)

2. A. On Friday June 9, 2006, I went to see my cousin in Baltimore.B. On Friday, June 9, 2006, I went to see my cousin in Baltimore. (IV)

3. A. Big schools, for example have more academic opportunities for students.B. Big schools, for example, have more academic opportunities for students. (IX)

4. A. I want to go to the concert with you tomorrow night but I don’t have enough money to buy the tickets.B. I want to go to the concert with you tomorrow night, but I don’t have enough money to buy the tickets. (I)

5. A. Wearing the expensive dress, I felt rich and beautiful.B. Wearing the expensive dress I felt rich and beautiful. (II)

6. A. My college, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, has provided much preparation for life. B. My college Brigham Young University-Hawaii has provided much preparation for life. (VII)

7. A. We did however find out who killed Mr. Wallace.B. We did, however, find out who killed Mr. Wallace. (IX)

8. A. President, Abe Carlson always plays golf on Thursday afternoons.B. President Abe Carlson always plays golf on Thursday afternoons. (IV)

9. A. “I love dancing in the rain” she said.B. “I love dancing in the rain,” she said. (V)

10. A. The box of food which was three months old was no longer edible.B. The box of food, which was three months old, was no longer edible. (VII)

11. A. Children, who learn to read at a young age, do better in school.B. Children who learn to read at a young age do better in school. (VIII)

12. A. In addition, to reviewing algebra we will also be studying advanced trigonometry.B. In addition to reviewing algebra, we will also be studying advanced trigonometry. (II)

13. A. Herman McDaniel, Ph.D., always treats his patients with kindness and consideration.

B. Herman McDaniel, Ph. D. always treats his patients with kindness and consideration. (IV)

14. A. Johnny hates rollerblading but he loves to roller-skate. B. Johnny hates rollerblading, but he loves to roller-skate. (I)

15. A. “Leave me alone,” Mary warned, “or I won’t talk to you for the rest of the day.”B. “Leave me alone” Mary warned “or I won’t talk to you for the rest of the day.” (V)

16. A. Sally married Roger on Saturday, April 15, 2006.B. Sally married Roger on Saturday April 15, 2006. (IV)

SECTION 2: Repairing Comma Errors

INSTRUCTIONS: If the sentence contains a comma error, mark the letter that indicates the spot in the sentence where a comma has been misplaced or omitted. If the sentence is correct, mark the letter “D”.

17. Donationsa may be sent to 521 Forbes Road,b Provoc Utah 84601. (IV)

18. Particularlya whenb smog is badc breathing becomes difficult. (II)

19. The lettera that was dated September 6,b 1998,c brought good news. (IV)

20. Left behind,a our two dogs howledb as we drove awayc for the weekend. (II)

21. The jacket reminded Cal of hisa grandfatherb andc many childhood scenes. (I)

22. Its purpose,a therefore,b was to improve the healthc of the common people. (IX)

23. Only horsesa that win three races,b are allowed to competec in the derby. (VIII)

24. Seeking covera girlsb and boys scrambledc under the table. (II)

25. Almost all of the hot fudge,a for example,b has hardenedc in the pan. (IX)

Have a great day