Commas

1
Commas

• While we were eating Jim and Jenny talked about
  their recent trip to South Dakota.

2
Which needs a comma?The boys wandered into the
movie theater and then started making loud
noises.The boys wandered into the movie theater
and then they started making loud noises.
3
Use a comma to separate two independent clauses
joined by forandnorbutor yetso
4

• The game was over but the crowd refused to leave.
• The game ended but not before a riot broke out.
• The student explained her experiences yet found
  no real satisfaction in doing so.
• The student explained her question yet the
  instructor still didn't seem to understand.
• Yesterday was her brother's birthday so she took
  him out to dinner.
• Tomorrow is his birthday but he doesnt want
  anyone to know.

5
Which need commas?While I was eating the cat
scratched at the door.The cat scratched the
door while I was eating.She was late for class
because her alarm clock was broken.Because her
alarm clock was broken she was late for
class.You ought to see a doctor if you are
ill.If you are ill you ought to see a
doctor.Well shovel the driveway when the snow
stops falling.When the snow stops falling we'll
shovel the driveway.
6
Use commas after introductory a) clauses b)
phrasesCommon starter words for introductory
clauses that should be followed by a comma
include after, although, as, because, if, since,
when, while. However, don't put a comma after
the main clause when a dependent (subordinate)
clause follows it (except for cases of extreme
contrast).
7

• Last Saturday night we went to a concert and then
  headed all the way out to Las Vegas to gamble.
• To get along with people you must be willing to
  listen.
• Having finished the test he left the room.
• To get a seat you'd better come early.
• After the test but before lunch, I went jogging.
• Because the sun radiated intense heat, we sought
  shelter in the cafe.

8
That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is
the only day when I am available to meet.This
restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food,
on the other hand, is rather bland.I appreciate
your hard work. In this case, however, you seem
to have over-exerted yourself.
9
Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence
to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are
not essential to the meaning of the sentence.
Here are some clues to help you decide whether
the sentence element is essentialIf you leave
out the clause, phrase, or word, does the
sentence still make sense? Does the clause,
phrase, or word interrupt the flow of words in
the original sentence? If you move the element
to a different position in the sentence,does the
sentence still make sense?
10

• Students who cheat only harm themselves.
• Fred who often cheats is just harming himself.
• Amanda Smith wearing a yellow jumpsuit is playing
  in the living room.
• The baby wearing a yellow jumpsuit is my niece.
• The candidate who had the least money lost the
  election.
• The Green party candidate who had the least money
  lost the election.

11

• The teacher grinning from ear to ear announced
  his retirement.
• Professor Benson grinning from ear to ear
  announced his retirement.
• Tom, the captain of the team, was injured in the
  game.
• The captain of the team Tom was injured in the
  game.
• It is up to you Jane to finish.
• She was however too tired to make the trip.
• However, she was too tired to make the trip.
• She was too tired to make the trip however.

12
All of the following are correct. Why do only
some require commas?He was a difficult,
stubborn child. They lived in a white frame
house. She often wore a gray wool shawl. Your
cousin has an easy, happy smile.
13
When do you want to eat Jim?When do you want to
eat, Jim?