Transcript Conquering commasx

CONQUERING
COMMAS
WHEN TO USE A
COMMA
RULE #1
 Place
a comma before coordinating
conjunctions (FANBOYS) that join
two independent clauses.
 We were late for class, so we missed the
quiz.
 The conflict was over, but the mood was
still tense.

(note that if you use a comma without a
coordinating conjunction, you create a comma
splice)
RULE #2
Use a comma after introductory words,
phrases, and clauses.
 Introductory word:
 Finally, the plane arrived at its destination.
 Nevertheless, her good mood prevailed.
 Introductory phrase: Riding in the car, Bob
saw several deer.
 Introductory clause: Because I studied for
three hours, I did well on the test.

RULE #3


Use commas to separate items in a series
("series" means more than two).
At the restaurant, I ordered a big steak, a fresh
salad, and a baked potato.
RULE #4
Use a comma between coordinate adjectives
only if you can put "and" between them or if
you can reverse the order of the adjectives
and they still make sense.
 Jeanne bought her husband a black leather
jacket for his birthday. (you wouldn’t say “a black
and leather jacket” OR “a leather, black jacket,”
so no comma is needed.
 The large, unruly crowd began to grow restless
when the concert was delayed for an hour. (You
could say “a large and unruly crowd” or “an
unruly and large crowd.”

RULE #5
Place commas around words that interrupt
the flow of a sentence or words that could
be deleted from the sentence without
radically changing its meaning
(nonessential elements).
 I told you, Joe, that we would leave at noon.
(interrupter)
 We will, of course, finish this work before we
leave. (interrupter)
 The report, which took two weeks to write,
earned Susan a high grade. (nonessential
element)

RULE #6
Use commas to set off the name or title of
someone being spoken to directly.
 Nancy, where are you going?
 Where are you going, Nancy?

RULE #7
Use commas to set off direct quotations
from the rest of the sentence. (Note that
commas and periods always go inside the
quotation marks.)
 "The test is on Monday," she said.
 "The test," she said, "is on Monday."
 She said, "The test is on Monday."

RULE #8
Use commas for dates and addresses. (Do
not use a comma between the state and zip
code.)
 PSC classes were canceled Monday, September
28, because of the hurricane.
 I moved to Mobile, Alabama, last year.

WHEN NOT TO USE A
COMMA
Don’t use commas between the subject and
verb in a sentence.
 NO: The most important quality one should have,
is honesty.
 YES: The most important quality one should
have is honesty.

Don't put a comma between the two verbs
or verb phrases in a compound predicate.
 NO: We found our review sheets, and began to
study.
 YES: We found our review sheets and began to
study.
 NO: I turned the corner, and ran into an elderly
woman.
 YES: I turned the corner and ran into an elderly
woman.

Don't put a comma between the two nouns,
noun phrases, or noun clauses in a
compound subject or compound object.
 NO: (compound subject): Lynn’s drama
teacher from high school, and Tim’s old Army
buddy are married.
 YES: Lynn’s drama teacher from high school and
Tim’s old Army buddy are married.
 NO (compound object): Bill told me that the
job was still available, and that the supervisor
wanted to meet me.
 YES: Bill told me that the job was still open and
that the supervisor wanted to meet me.

Don't put a comma after the main clause
when a dependent (subordinate) clause
follows it (except for cases of extreme
contrast).
 NO: The case remains unsolved, because the
investigation included falsified evidence.
 NO: The mail carrier delivered the package,
while I was showering.
 YES: Sabrina was still quite upset, although she
had won first place.(This comma use is correct
because it is an example of extreme contrast)

Do not use commas to set off essential
elements of the sentence, such as clauses
beginning with that (relative clauses). That
clauses after nouns are always essential.
 NO commas needed: The cow that hangs back
from the herd is new to the pasture.
 NO commas needed: The students wished that
the holiday break would arrive soon.
