Transcript Commas - Edmonds School District

End Comma Abuse!
…please…
No! Please!
I’m just one
comma…
First:

List all the reasons you would use a
comma.
Rule 1

Use commas to separate three or
more words, phrases, or clauses
written in a series.

Ex: We bought marshmallows,
graham crackers, and chocolate bars
for our camping trip.
Rule 2

Use commas to separate two or more
coordinate (interchangeable) adjectives that
describe the same noun. Be sure never to
add an extra comma between the final
adjective and the noun itself.

Ex: She often wore a gray wool shawl.
(can’t say “wool gray shawl”: no commas)
Ex: Your cousin has an easy, happy smile.
(can say “happy, easy smile”: commas)

Rule 3

Use a comma to shift between the
main narrative and a quotation.
Ex: John said without emotion, "I'll
see you tomorrow.“
 Ex: "I was able," she answered, "to
complete the assignment."

Rule 4

Use commas to set off all
geographical names, items in dates
(except the month and day),
addresses (except the street number
and name), and titles in names.
Examples of Rule 4




Geography: Birmingham, Alabama, gets
its name from Birmingham, England.
Date: July 22, 1959, was a momentous day
in his life.
Address: Please send all correspondence
to 1 Maple Terrace, Danvers, MA, 01908.
Title: Khaled Hosseini, MD, will read from
his new novel.
Rule 5
Use commas to separate independent
clauses when they are joined by any
of these seven coordinating
conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so,
yet.
 Ex: Yesterday was her brother's
birthday, so she took him out to
dinner.

Rule 6
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.
 Generally, they interrupt the sentence
to give new information or a side
thought.

Examples of Rule 6
Clause: That Tuesday, which
happens to be my birthday, is the only
day when I am available to meet.
 Phrase: This restaurant has an
exciting atmosphere. The food, on the
other hand, is rather bland.
 Word: I appreciate your hard work. In
this case, however, you seem to have
over-exerted yourself.

Rule 7

Use commas after introductory a)
clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that
come before the main clause.
Rule 7a



Common starter words for introductory
clauses that should be followed by a
comma include after, although, as,
because, if, instead of, since, when, while.
Ex: While I was eating, the cat scratched at
the door.
Ex: Sometimes when all has gone wrong
and there is nothing left for us, we run away
from our problems.
Rule 7b
Common introductory phrases should
be followed by a comma, including
long prepositional phrases (over four
words).
 Ex: Having finished the test, he left
the room.

Rule 7c

Common introductory words that
should be followed by a comma
include also, yes, however, well.

Ex: However, you may not be
satisfied with the results.
Rule 8
Do not use commas to set off
essential elements of the sentence,
such as clauses beginning with that
(relative clauses).
 Ex: The book that I borrowed from
you is excellent.
 Ex: She said that she will earn an A.

Rule 9

Use a comma near the end of a
sentence to separate contrasted
coordinate elements or to indicate a
distinct pause or shift.

Ex: The speaker seemed innocent,
even gullible.
Rule 10



Use commas to set off phrases at the end
of the sentence that refer back to the
beginning or middle of the sentence. (If the
placement of the modifier causes confusion,
then it is not "free" and must remain "bound"
to the word it modifies.)
Ex: Lisa waved at Nancy, laughing
joyously. (incorrect: Who is laughing, Lisa or
Nancy?)
Ex: Nancy waved enthusiastically at the
docking ship, laughing joyously. (correct)
Rule 11

Use commas wherever necessary to
prevent possible confusion or
misreading.

Ex: For Jennifer, Lopez was a
fantastic second-baseman.
Comma Abuse!

Don't use a comma to separate the
subject from the verb.
Ex: An eighteen-year old in
California, is now considered an adult.
(incorrect)
 Ex: Victor’s arrogance and sense of
becoming a god-like figure, eventually
led him to his demise.

Comma Abuse!

Don't put a comma between the two
verbs or verb phrases in a compound
predicate.

Ex: We laid out our music and
snacks, and began to study.
(incorrect)
Comma Abuse!

Don't put a comma between the two nouns,
noun phrases, or noun clauses in a
compound subject or compound object.

Ex: The music teacher from your high
school, and the football coach from mine
are married. (incorrect)
Ex: Jeff told me that the job was still
available, and that the manager wanted to
interview me. (incorrect)

Comma Abuse!

Don't put a comma after the main clause
when a dependent (subordinate) clause
follows it (except for cases of extreme
contrast).

Ex: She was late for class, because her
alarm clock was broken. (incorrect)
Ex: She was still quite upset, although she
had won the Oscar. (correct: extreme
contrast)

Comma Abuse!

Don’t avoid commas altogether.

Ex: When the creature saved the girl from
drowning instead of being grateful her
companion shot him. (incorrect)
Ex: Even though the creature seems to be
innocent based on his statements he really
should take responsibility for his actions.
(incorrect)

Evil Comma Splice!

Don’t use a comma by itself between
two independent clauses. You need a
semi-colon.

Ex: Oedipus wanted to know the
meaning of the prophecy, as a result,
tragedy struck his family. (incorrect)
Bottom Line:
Know the rules.
 Don’t just put commas where you
think there might be a pause.
