Comma SenseComma Sense

A Quick GuideA Quick Guide

Independent ClausesIndependent ClausesSubject, verb, and maybe modifiersSubject, verb, and maybe modifiers:: Joe sang.Joe sang. Mary ran.Mary ran. Sing.Sing. Run.Run. Joe sang beautifully.Joe sang beautifully. Mary ran quickly. Mary ran quickly. Run fast. Run fast.

Coordinating ConjunctionsCoordinating Conjunctions

FF AA NN BB OO YY SS

FORFOR AND AND NORNOR BUTBUT OR OR YETYET SOSO

Coordinating Conjunctions (cont.)

Yogurt is nutritious, and it makes a good snack.

Yogurt is naturally rather tart, but fruit or jam is often added to sweeten it.

Yogurt is naturally rather tart, yet many people like the taste.

We can have yogurt and fruit, or we can go out for breakfast.

Independent Clauses (cont.)Independent Clauses (cont.)

These can be punctuated as sentences. But that These can be punctuated as sentences. But that is not the only way to punctuate independent is not the only way to punctuate independent clauses.clauses.

Two independent clauses that are closely Two independent clauses that are closely related, especially if they have parallel related, especially if they have parallel structure, can be punctuated with a semicolon.structure, can be punctuated with a semicolon.

Contrasts between two statements can also be Contrasts between two statements can also be highlighted by using a semicolon. highlighted by using a semicolon.

Variation is the Spice of Writing Variation is the Spice of Writing Independent clauses can be punctuated or combined Independent clauses can be punctuated or combined in various ways:in various ways: The sky darkened, but it did not rain.The sky darkened, but it did not rain. The sky darkened, yet it did not rain.The sky darkened, yet it did not rain. The sky darkened, and it rained. The sky darkened, and it rained. The sky darkened; it rained.The sky darkened; it rained. The sky darkened, the wind howled, and it rained.The sky darkened, the wind howled, and it rained. The sky darkened, so we knew it would rain.The sky darkened, so we knew it would rain. The sky darkened, for it was going to rain.The sky darkened, for it was going to rain. All last week, it either rained, or it snowed. All last week, it either rained, or it snowed. All last week, it rained or snowed. All last week, it rained or snowed.

Examples of Semicolon UseExamples of Semicolon Use

Yogurt is a nutritious dairy product; it often Yogurt is a nutritious dairy product; it often has added fruit or flavoring.has added fruit or flavoring.

Yogurt is a nutritious dairy product; it is a Yogurt is a nutritious dairy product; it is a good, light snack. good, light snack.

Yogurt is nutritious; however, ice cream tastes Yogurt is nutritious; however, ice cream tastes better.better.

Yogurt is a dairy product; thus, it must be kept Yogurt is a dairy product; thus, it must be kept refrigerated. refrigerated.

Subordinating ConjunctionsSubordinating Conjunctions The following words make the clause The following words make the clause

dependent; it thus has to have an independent dependent; it thus has to have an independent clause to lean onclause to lean on. .

After, although, as, as if, as long as, as though, After, although, as, as if, as long as, as though, because, before, even though, if, if only, in because, before, even though, if, if only, in order that, now that, once, provided, rather order that, now that, once, provided, rather than, since, so that than, that, though, unless, than, since, so that than, that, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, whether, while.wherever, whether, while.

Dependent ClausesDependent Clauses

Although a dependent clause may look like a Although a dependent clause may look like a complete sentencecomplete sentence, it is not one., it is not one.

Because a dependent clause starts with Because a dependent clause starts with particular wordsparticular words, it needs an independent , it needs an independent clause to lean on.clause to lean on.

If a dependent clause were a personIf a dependent clause were a person,, it could it could be used as a tax exemption by an independent be used as a tax exemption by an independent clause clause because dependent clauses need to be because dependent clauses need to be supportedsupported. .

Why Use Commas?Why Use Commas?• To separate main clauses linked by a coordinating To separate main clauses linked by a coordinating

conjunctionconjunction• To set off most introductory elementsTo set off most introductory elements• To set off nonessential elementsTo set off nonessential elements• To separate items in a seriesTo separate items in a series• To separate coordinate adjectivesTo separate coordinate adjectives

• Other usesOther uses• To set off absolute phrasesTo set off absolute phrases• To set off phrases expressing contrastTo set off phrases expressing contrast• To separate parts of dates, addresses, long numbersTo separate parts of dates, addresses, long numbers• To separate quotations and signal phrasesTo separate quotations and signal phrases• To prevent misreadingTo prevent misreading

Simple RuleSimple Rule For phrases, clauses, groups of words in a sentence:For phrases, clauses, groups of words in a sentence:

DO NOT USE COMMAS, if it is an essential part of DO NOT USE COMMAS, if it is an essential part of the meaning of the sentence.the meaning of the sentence.

USE COMMAS, if you can take a phrase, clause, or USE COMMAS, if you can take a phrase, clause, or words out of a sentence without changing the basic words out of a sentence without changing the basic meaning.meaning.

In other words, commas often mark off added In other words, commas often mark off added information. information.

If you can leave part of a sentence If you can leave part of a sentence out….out….

The man, The man, who is a teacher,who is a teacher, wore a long black wore a long black cloak. cloak.

The movie, The movie, which got rave reviewswhich got rave reviews, is still , is still playing at the mall. playing at the mall.

My son’s high school principal, My son’s high school principal, James SmithJames Smith, , lives next door. lives next door.

Mary, Mary, my oldest sistermy oldest sister, is a pediatrician. , is a pediatrician. The SUV, The SUV, which is at least twenty years oldwhich is at least twenty years old, was , was

parked illegally. parked illegally.

If part of a sentence is necessary….If part of a sentence is necessary….

The man wearing a long black cloak is a teacher. The man wearing a long black cloak is a teacher. The man wearing a long black cloak is a teacher, The man wearing a long black cloak is a teacher,

not a vampire. not a vampire. The woman standing by the door is my aunt. The woman standing by the door is my aunt. The movie playing at the mall is the one I want to The movie playing at the mall is the one I want to

see.see. The SUV with the Missouri license plates is parked The SUV with the Missouri license plates is parked

illegally.illegally. My sister Mary is a pediatrician.* My sister Mary is a pediatrician.*

Some uses for commas….Some uses for commas….

As I walked into the room, I saw the vase of As I walked into the room, I saw the vase of roses on the table.roses on the table.

Because it was my birthday, I thought the Because it was my birthday, I thought the flowers were for me.flowers were for me.

I picked up the card, thinking I knew who had I picked up the card, thinking I knew who had sent them. sent them.

Surprised and pleased, I smiled at my mother Surprised and pleased, I smiled at my mother and handed her the card.and handed her the card.

Other Examples

We went to the grocery and bought apples, oranges, bananas, and plums.

Many years ago, I started teaching English in Louisville, Kentucky, across the river from Indiana.

Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, on August 29, 1958.

Casually, the young man strolled into the room. BUT -- The young man strolled casually into the

room.

Punctuation Matters

The Panda StoryThe Panda Story

A panda walks into a café. He orders a sandwich, eats A panda walks into a café. He orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and fires two shots in the air.it, then draws a gun and fires two shots in the air.

““Why?” asks the confused waiter, as the panda makes Why?” asks the confused waiter, as the panda makes towards the exit. The panda produces a badly towards the exit. The panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over his punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over his shoulder.shoulder.

““I’m a panda,” he says, at the door. “Look it up.”I’m a panda,” he says, at the door. “Look it up.”

Punch Line

The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds an explanation.finds an explanation.

““Panda:Panda: Large black-and-white bear-like Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China. mammal, native to China. Eats, shoots Eats, shoots

and leaves.”and leaves.”What kind of words was the Panda saying these (the What kind of words was the Panda saying these (the

ones in yellow) were?ones in yellow) were?

What were they meant to convey?What were they meant to convey?

Punctuation Matters

A woman without her man is nothing.A woman without her man is nothing.A woman, without her man, is nothing.A woman, without her man, is nothing.A woman: without her, man is nothing.A woman: without her, man is nothing.

Be sure to distinguish between the semicolon Be sure to distinguish between the semicolon and the colon-- and the colon--

Semicolon Semicolon ; smile and a wink; smile and a winkColonColon : eyes for a smiley face: eyes for a smiley face

Colons and SemicolonsColons and Semicolons

Use colons when what is on either side is Use colons when what is on either side is balanced, as on a scale. The main clause balanced, as on a scale. The main clause below has a term (“groceries”) which is below has a term (“groceries”) which is general and matches up with the specifics that general and matches up with the specifics that follow the colon (“apples, oranges,” etc.)follow the colon (“apples, oranges,” etc.)

Example:Example: This morning, I bought a lot of groceries: This morning, I bought a lot of groceries:

apples, oranges, bananas, plums, and a apples, oranges, bananas, plums, and a pineapple. pineapple.

General: SpecificsGeneral: Specifics

Colons and SemicolonsColons and Semicolons For sentences with a series of items and internal For sentences with a series of items and internal

punctuation, use semicolons between units. punctuation, use semicolons between units. Example:Example:

The new contract will provide improvements The new contract will provide improvements for all hourly workers: recognition of seniority for all hourly workers: recognition of seniority in scheduling, as well as a flex time option; a in scheduling, as well as a flex time option; a better physical environment on the work floor, better physical environment on the work floor, even in break rooms and restrooms; and better even in break rooms and restrooms; and better health insurance.health insurance.

Punctuation Matters

Dear Jack,Dear Jack, I want a man who knows what love is all I want a man who knows what love is all

about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I can be forever whatsoever when we’re apart. I can be forever happy—will you let me be yours?happy—will you let me be yours?

JillJill

Punctuation Matters

Dear Jack,Dear Jack,

I want a man who knows what love is. All I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people who are not like you. Admit to being people who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men I yearn! For you I have no feelings other men I yearn! For you I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart I can be whatsoever. When we’re apart I can be forever happy. Will you let me be? Yours, Jillforever happy. Will you let me be? Yours, Jill