Getting Ready for Next Year

Comma Rules Review: 1)Commas go between compound and complex sentences Ex: the little girl wiped a tear from her eye, yet her father continued to pack. Compound Ex: From the time he was a small boy, he always wanted to ride in a NASCAR race. Complex 2) Commas separate items in a series. Make sure the comma goes before the conjunction (FANBOYS) Ex: I like reading, listening to music, taking long walks, and visiting with my friends. 3) To separate clauses/phrases (this includes dependent and LONG prepositional phrases) Ex: In order to qualify for your certificate, you will need to take your TOEFL exam. Ex: Although he wanted to go, he wasn’t able to attend the course.

4) Separate independent clauses that are connected by a conjunction such as “but.” Ex: They wanted to purchase a new car, but their financial situation would not allow it. Ex: I’d really enjoy seeing a film this evening, and I’d like to go out for dinner. 5) Introduce a direct quote (as opposed to indirect speech, e.g., He said he wanted to go.). Ex: The boy said, “My father is often away on business trips.” 6) Separate appositives (a noun, or noun phrase), or non-defining relative clause Ex: Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, comes from Seattle. Ex: My only sister, who is a fantastic tennis player, is in great shape.

More Comma Info. 7) nonrestrictive clauses (uses a relative pronoun- who, whom, that, which, whose, where, when, why) Ex: The science fair, which lasted all day, ended with an awards ceremony. 8) Conjunctive Adverbs: modify by creating logical connections in meaning; words such as however, also, furthermore, therefore, etc: The American Midwest, therefore, is the world's breadbasket. California and Florida are important food producers, for example. 9) Parenthetical Expressions: "asides," additions to sentences that the writer thinks of as extra: American farmers, according to U. S. government figures, export more wheat than they sell at home. A major drought, sad to say, reduces wheat crops drastically. 10) Expressions of Contrast: describe something by stating what it is not and setting it off by commas: Feeding the world's population is a serious problem, but not an intractable one. We must work against world hunger continuously, not just when emergencies develop.

11) Words of Direct Address: indicate the person or group spoken to and are set off by commas: Join me, brothers and sisters, to end hunger. Your contribution, Steve, will help us greatly. 12)Tag Questions: consist of a helping verb, a pronoun, and often the word not, generally contracted: Worldwide response to the Ethiopian famine was impressive, wasn't it?

13) Commas in names, dates, and addresses When you write dates, names, and numbers, be sure to use commas according to accepted practice. Commas with dates: Between the date and the year: July 20, Between the day and the date: Sunday, July 20, Within a sentence, after the day and year in a full date: Everyone wanted to be near a television set on July 20, 1969, to watch Armstrong emerge from the lunar landing module. 14) Commas with names, places and addresses: When an abbreviated title comes after a person's name: Rosa Gonzales, M.D. When you invert a name: Troyka, David. 15)Between a city and state: Lawton, Oklahoma. 16) Commas with letters: After the letter's opening: Dear Betty, After the letter's closing: Sincerely, John or Best regards, John

17) Commas to Clarify Meaning Sometimes you will need to use a comma to clarify the meaning of a sentence, even though no other rule calls for one: NO: Of the gymnastic team's twenty five were injured. YES: Of the gymnastic team's twenty, five were injured. NO: Those who can practice many hours a day. YES: Those who can, practice many hours a day. NO: George dressed and performed for the sellout crowd. YES: George dressed, and performed for the sellout crowd. 18) Odds and Ends I love you, too. Yes, I do want that Coach purse. No, I do not want that purse from the dollar store.