Transcript RULE 4: Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and

GRAMMAR LESSONS
RULE 1:
Use
commas to
separate
items in a
series.
RULE 1. Use commas to separate items in a series.
Items may take the form of words, phrases and/or clauses
To understand punctuation, it is helpful to understand the
difference between a phrase and a clause.
A phrase is a collection of words that may have nouns or verbals, but it
does not have a subject doing a verb. The following are examples of
phrases:
leaving behind the dog
smashing into a fence
before the first test
after the devastation
between ignorance and intelligence
broken into thousands of pieces
because of her glittering smile
In these examples above, you will find nouns (dog, fence, test, devastation, ignorance,
intelligence, thousands, pieces). You also have some verbals (leaving, smashing), but in no case
is the noun functioning as a subject doing a predicate verb. They are all phrases.
RULE 1: Use commas to separate items in a series.
Items may take the form of words, phrases and/or clauses
To understand punctuation, it is helpful to understand the
difference between a phrase and a clause.
A clause is a collection of words that has a subject that is actively doing
a verb. The following are examples of clauses:
since she laughs at diffident men
I despise individuals of low character
when the saints go marching in
Obediah Simpson is uglier than a rabid raccoon
because she smiled at him.
RULE 1: Use commas to separate items in a series.
(A)Do not place a comma before or after a
series.
INCORRECT
and
CORRECT
,
I enjoy, gymnastics basketball, wrestling,
football.
I enjoy gymnastics, basketball, wrestling, and
football.
EXCEPTION The abbreviation etc. is always
followed by a comma unless it
occurs at the end of a sentence.
EXAMPLE
Randy bought hamburger, buns, onions, etc.,
for the cookout.
RULE 1: Use commas to
separate items in a series.
(B) When the word and, or,
or nor joins the last two
items in a series, the
comma before the
conjunction is sometimes
omitted. Never omit the
final comma, however, if
such an omission would
make the sentence
unclear.
(OXFORD COMMA)
RULE 1: Use commas to separate items in a series.
(B) OXFORD COMMA
UNCLEAR
CLEAR
Mother, Father and Uncle Matt went to town.
[How many people went to town, two or three? Is
Mother being addressed or enumerated?]
Mother, Father, and Uncle Matt went to town.
Note: Words customarily used in pairs are set off
as one items in a series: pancakes and syrup, bread and
butter, profit and loss, hand and coat, pork and beans, etc.
EXAMPLE
Breakfast at the inn consists of orange juice, ham
and eggs, toast, and coffee.
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RULE 2 : Use commas to separate two or more
adjectives that modify the same noun.
EXAMPLE
Lana is an intelligent, responsible, sensitive director.
NOTE A comma is unnecessary before a
modifier so closely associated with the noun that
the two words are thought of as a single concept.
EXAMPLE
She is an intelligent, sensitive young woman.
RULE 2: Use commas to separate two or more
adjectives that modify the same noun.
To determine whether two adjectives modify the noun
equally, substitute and for the possible comma:
intelligent (and) sensitive young woman. If this can
be done, a comma is necessary. Also, if the order of
the adjectives can be reversed, a comma is needed:
She is a sensitive, intelligent young woman.
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RULE 3: Use a comma before and, but, or, nor,
for, so or yet when they join independent
clauses.
EXAMPLE
,
The Drama Club will be putting on Macbeth and I
can hardly wait to audition.
,
Amy was nervous about computer programming but
after two weeks in the class she was doing very
well.
,
I had to follow the recipe very carefully for I had
never tried to bake a cake before.
RULE 3: Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for,
so or yet when they join independent clauses.
This rule only apples to compound sentences — not compound
verbs, compound subjects, and the like.
NOTE While rule 3 is always correct, writers are
allowed freedom in its application if two independent clauses
joined by a conjunction are very short and closely connected in
thought. In this case, the comma between them may be
omitted.
EXAMPLE
The phone rang and I answered it.
You can take the bus or you can walk home.
RULE 3: Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for,
so or yet when they join independent clauses.
The comma should never be omitted if a sentence would be
confusing or unclear without it.
NOT CLEAR
The teacher called on Maria and John began to
answer. [Most readers would have to go over this
sentence twice before realizing that the writer is not
saying The teacher called on Maria and John.]
CLEAR
The teacher called on Maria, and John began to
answer.
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Pick up the handout entitled
“Commas Practice 1”
from the tray on the bookcase. Please
complete ON YOUR OWN. You may use
your commas notes.
RULE 4: Use commas to set off nonessential
clauses and nonessential phrases.
A nonessential clause or phrase is exactly that: not
essential. Such a clause may be used to describe
something, to explain something, or to add extra
information, but it can be omitted without changing
the basic (essential) meaning of the sentence.
RULE 4: Use commas to set off nonessential
clauses and nonessential phrases.
NONESSENTIAL
,
Margaret Mead who was a disciple of Ruth
,
Benedict was a noted anthropologist.
The basic meaning of this sentence is Margaret Mead was a noted
anthropologist. The subordinate clause who was a disciple of
Ruth Benedict can be dropped without changing this basic
meaning in any way because it simply adds a bit of information
to the sentence. We call this latter clause nonessential because it
does not restrict of limit the words that it modifies (Margaret
Mead). Most clauses that modify proper nouns are nonessential.
RULE 4: Use commas to set off nonessential
clauses and nonessential phrases.
Now consider the effect of the clause in the sentence that you just read.
ESSENTIAL
Most clauses that modify proper nouns are
nonessential.
Notice what happens to the meaning of the sentence if we omit the
subordinate clause: we are left with Most clauses are
nonessential. Obviously, this is not the meaning intended by the
writer. In this sentence, omitting the subordinate clause does
change the meaning, since the clause (that modify proper nouns)
is essential to the meaning. We call this clause essential because
it restricts or limits the word that it modifies; that is, it tells us
that clauses that modify proper nouns — and only those clauses
—are almost always nonessential.
RULE 4: Use commas to set off nonessential
clauses and nonessential phrases.
NONESSENTIAL
ESSENTIAL
Margaret Mead, who is the author of
Blackberry Winter, wrote several books on
anthropology. [Margaret Mead wrote several
books on anthropology is the basic meaning
of the sentence; therefore commas are
appropriate.]
The early experiences that Margaret Mead
had as an anthropologist are recorded in her
book Blackberry Winter. [ The early
experiences are recorded in her book
Blackberry Winter is not the basic meaning of
the sentence; therefore, no commas should
be used.]
RULE 4: Use commas to set off nonessential
clauses and nonessential phrases.
NONESSENTIAL
The Homecoming Parade, which is sponsored
by the student council, will feature twentythree floats this year.
ESSENTIAL
Anyone who appreciates the color and
movement will enjoy seeing Alexander Calder’s
mobiles.
RULE 4: Use commas to set off nonessential
clauses and nonessential phrases.
Understanding the difference between essential and nonessential
clauses can be a valuable help in expressing the exact meaning that
you have in mind. If commas were never used, some clauses could
often be interpreted as either essential or nonessential.
EXAMPLE
Science fiction writers (,) who are concerned about
machines dominating people (,) frequently write
about computer-controlled societies.
RULE 4: Use commas to set off nonessential
clauses and nonessential phrases.
EXAMPLE
Science fiction writers (,) who are concerned about
machines dominating people (,) frequently write
about computer-controlled societies.
Notice the commas in parentheses. If these commas are included in the
sentence, we have one meaning; if they are omitted, we have another,
and very different, meaning. When commas are used, the writer is
saying that science fiction writers write about computer-controlled
societies; the information in the subordinate clause merely explains
why they do so. Without the commas, however, the subordinate
clause is essential, and the meaning of the sentence is that only writers
who are concerned about machines dominating people would write
about computer-controlled societies.
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RULE 4: Use commas to set off nonessential
clauses and nonessential phrases.
A participle is a verb form that can be used as an adjective.
EXAMPLES
The waving campers boarded the bus.
Waving, the campers boarded the bus. [In these
sentences, waving, like the verb wave, expresses
action; like an adjective, it modifies the noun
campers.]
We could hear the wind howling. [Here howling
expresses action, like a verb; it also modifies the
wind.]
RULE 4: Use commas to set off nonessential
clauses and nonessential phrases.
A participle phrase is a phrase containing a participle and any
complements or modifiers it may have.
The participle introduces the phrase, and the entire phrase acts as
an adjective to modify a noun or pronoun.
EXAMPLES
Nodding his head, the defendant acknowledged his
guilt.
Convinced by his family, he submitted his book for
publication.
RULE 4: Use commas to set off nonessential
clauses and nonessential phrases.
Practice identifying Participial Phrases.
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RULE 4: Use commas to set off nonessential
clauses and nonessential phrases.
Like clauses, participial phrases may be nonessential or
essential. To differentiate nonessential from essential
phrases, use the same tests that you have applied to
clauses. When in doubt, read the sentence without the
phrase; if the sentence still has the same basic
meaning, the phrase is nonessential and should be set
off by commas.
RULE 4: Use commas to set off nonessential
clauses and nonessential phrases.
NONESSENTIAL
ESSENTIAL
The senator, wanting to be popular
with voters, did not support the
proposal for a tax increase.
[If wanting to be popular with voters is
omitted, the meaning of the sentence
is not changed.]
The many citizens paying already high
taxes will understand the senator’s
reluctance to favor any tax increase.
[The phrase paying already high taxes is
necessary to make the meaning clear.]
RULE 4: Use commas to set off nonessential
clauses and nonessential phrases.
NONESSENTIAL
ESSENTIAL
Rosemary Casals, known to many
Americans, plays an excellent
tennis game.
The tennis match played at Wimbledon
took over two hours.
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Pick up the handout entitled
“Commas Practice 3”
from the tray on the bookcase. Please
complete ON YOUR OWN. You may use
your commas notes.
#
RULE 5: Use a comma after certain introductory
elements.
(A) Use a comma after words such as well, yes, no, and why when
they begin a sentence.
EXAMPLES
Yes, I heard your question.
Well, I really haven’t thought about it.
No, I don’t think I’ll go to the movie.
Why, I can’t imagine where I left the keys.
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RULE 5: Use a comma after certain introductory
elements.
(B) Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase.
EXAMPLES
Looking poised and calm, Jill sauntered toward
the bus stop.
Exhausted after the five-mile hike, the scouts
finally sat down to rest.
NOTE Remember that verb forms ending in –ing
may also be verbal nouns, or gerunds. When a gerund phrase is
used as the subject of a sentence, do not mistake it for an
introductory participial phrase.
RULE 5: Use a comma after certain introductory
elements.
(B) Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase.
NOTE Remember that verb forms ending in –ing
may also be verbal nouns, or gerunds. When a gerund phrase is
used as the subject of a sentence, do not mistake it for an
introductory participial phrase.
A gerund is a word ending in –ing that is formed from a verb and is
used as a noun, thus a verbal noun.
EXAMPLES
swimming, dancing, studying, knitting, cooking
RULE 5: Use a comma after certain introductory
elements.
(B) Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase.
NOTE Remember that verb forms ending in –ing
may also be verbal nouns, or gerunds. When a gerund phrase is
used as the subject of a sentence, do not mistake it for an
introductory participial phrase.
EXAMPLES
Following directions is sometimes difficult. [The
gerund phrase Following directions is the subject of
the sentence.]
Following directions, I began to assemble the toy.
[Following directions is an introductory participial
phrase modifying I.]
RULE 5: Use a comma after certain introductory
elements.
(C) Use a comma after a succession of introductory
prepositional phrases.
EXAMPLES
In the first round of competition at the golf
tournament, I had to play one of the best golfers
in the state.
At the beginning of the second quarter of the
game, he scored a touchdown.
RULE 5: Use a comma after certain introductory
elements.
(C) Use a comma after a succession of introductory
prepositional phrases.
NOTE A single introductory prepositional phrase
need not be followed by a comma unless it is parenthetical (Rule
6) or the comma helps to make the meaning clear.
EXAMPLES
,
For some tests are always easy. [Without the
comma, this sentence could easily be
misunderstood.]
,
In fact some students actually enjoy taking tests.
[parenthetical expression]
RULE 5: Use a comma after certain introductory
elements.
(D) Use a comma after an introductory adverb clause.
An adverb clause is a subordinate or dependent clause that,
like an adverb, modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb.
Remember that an adverb tells how, when, where, or to
what extent (how often or how much) .
EXAMPLES
,
After my father had locked the car door he
remembered that the keys were still in the ignition.
,
If I hadn’t had a spare set of keys we would have
had to walk.
RULE 5: Use a comma after certain introductory
elements.
(D) Use a comma after an introductory adverb clause.
An adverb clause is a subordinate or dependent clause that,
like an adverb, modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb.
Remember that an adverb tells how, when, where, or to
what extent (how often or how much) .
An adverb clause that follows an independent clause is usually NOT
set off by a comma.
EXAMPLE
Acres of valuable timberland in the state of
Washington were destroyed when a volcano erupted
in 1980.
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