Comma Sense

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Comma Sense

• Rules and Examples

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The 8 Commas

1. Series Comma
2. Introductory Comma
3. Independent Clauses Comma
4. Non-essential Elements Comma
5. Interrupters Comma
6. Multiple Adjectives Comma
7. Clarity Comma
8. Other Odd Comma

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Rules of Thumb

1. Place a comma where you would naturally pause in
   reading a sentence aloud.
2. When in doubt, leave it out (and then look it up
   to see if you are right).

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Series Comma

• Place a comma after each item in a list or
  series (except the last).
• I went to the store to buy milk, eggs, sugar, and
  flour.
• I ate some breakfast, worked for two hours,
  walked the dogs, and met some friends for lunch
  today.
• NOTE The final comma in the series is
  technically optional, but should be used for
  clarity.

5
Introductory Comma

• Place a comma after introductory words, phrases,
  or clauses in a sentence (Adverbs, transitional
  phrases, dependent clauses, salutations).
• Unfortunately, I can not fly to Rome with you.
• Trying be kind, I kissed the man on the cheek to
  say goodbye.
• Because I loved another man, I could not open my
  heart to Mr. Dempsey.
• Dearest sister,

6
Independent Clauses Comma

• Place a comma before the coordinating conjunction
  that joins 2 independent clauses.
• The book captured my interest right away, and I
  couldnt put it down all night.
• My car wouldnt start, so I took the bus to work
  today.
• I have to go pick up my daughter, but you are
  welcome to stay until I get back.
• I can get it done next week, or you can take care
  of it today.

7
Non-essential Elements Comma

• Place commas around words or phrases that could
  be removed from the sentence without changing the
  meaning.
• My brother, who learned to drive at 30, has at
  least one accident a year.
• Leipzig, which is in Germany, is a quaint
  artists haven.
• David, the boy who grew up next door to me, was
  just hired as my boss.

8
Interrupters Comma

• Place commas around words or phrases that
  interrupt the flow of the sentence.
  interjections, internal transition, and direct
  address
• I read, oh, maybe 100 books last year.
• He has hearing problems, the teachers think,
  because he doesnt respond when they call on him.
• Are you coming, Laura, or are you staying home?
• Being fired, on the other hand, can be very
  liberating.

9
Multiple Adjectives Comma

• Place a comma between lists of adjectives that
  could be connected by the word and.
• The smelly, and old basketball shoes stunk up
  the room.
• The far-reaching, dire results of her lie ruined
  her life in the end.
• NO COMMA HERE
• They slept on the cold cement floor for a week.

10
Clarity Comma

• Place a comma in a sentence to make the meaning
  clearer and for dramatic emphasis.
• Bill claims Joe is the best pitcher on the team.
  In this sentence Joe is the best pitcher.
• Bill, claims Joe, is the best pitcher on the
  team. In this sentence Bill is the best
  pitcher.
• Nothing matters in the end, except love and
  fulfillment, but mostly love.

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Other Odd Commas

• Name, title or degree
• James Gallagher, Student Council President, won
  the community service award this year.
• City, state/country
• I used to live in Austin, Texas, but now I reside
  in Paris, France.
• Day, year
• My best friend was born on September 10, 1993.
• Numbers
• We expect over 30,000 people to show up for the
  music festival this weekend.

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DO NOT USE COMMAS WHEN. . .

• They separate the subject from the verb
• Wrong Bill and Anna, won the dance contest.
• They separate the verb from the direct object
• Wrong Judy wrote, the letter of recommendation
  last week.
• Before/after prepositional phrases
• Wrong The winner, of the Nobel Prize, declined
  the award.
• Between two items joined by and, but, or or
• Wrong We can either play a game, or draw
  pictures.

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Links to Practice Sites

• http//grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/GRAMMAR/quiz_list.h
  tm
• http//www.myenglishlessons.net/quizzes/commas.htm
  
• http//wps.ablongman.com/long_long_rw_2/43/11197/2
  866676.cw/index.html
• http//www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/grammar/punc
  tuation/commas/quiz.shtml