Commas, Ellipses, and Dashes By: Zenia Lakhani

Commas A comma is a punctuation mark. It looks like (,). This mark indicates a pause between parts of a sentence. It is also used to separate items in a list and to mark the place of thousands in a large number.

Commas Rule #1: You can use a comma to separate the elements in a series. (three or more things). When using a comma to separate the elements in a series, you should use a comma between all items in a series including the last two. Ex. 1.“He swung the bat, hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to first base. 2.She bought a sweater, a watch, and a jacket from the mall.

Commas Rule #2 Use a comma and a conjunction to connect two independent clauses. (Independent clauses are sentences that can stand by themselves. You can remember these conjunctions by FANBOYS (For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).) Ex. 1.He failed his test, but he put on a brave face anyways. 2.They smell really bad, so they will be easy to find.

Commas Rule #3 You are supposed to use a comma to set off parenthetical elements. A parenthetical element, is a part of a sentence that can be removed, without hurting the actual sentence. These elements are sometimes called “ added information ”. Ex. The case is officially closed, but the detective’s feelings for the missing man’s wife grow, along with his suspicions.

Practice Time!! For these 5 sentences put the comma where it is supposed to go. Warning: There may be more than 1. 1.Anna wanted to buy a jacket but she didn ’ t have any money. 2.I bought pens pencils and led. 3.My dog loves to play so I bought him a ball. 4.Looking at my dog’s grave which is on Suwannee Dam Road I felt a pang of sadness. 5.Christina Sue and Samantha went to the skating rink.

Answers 1.A comma comes before but. 2.A comma comes after pens and pencils. 3.A comma comes before so. 4.A comma comes before which and after road. 5.A comma commas after Christina and after Sue.

Dashes A mark of punctuation (-) used to set off a word or phrase after an independent clause or to set of words, phrases, or clauses that interrupt a sentence (parenthetical remark)

Dashes: Rule #1: Dashes indicate an interruption, or an abrupt change or thought. Ex. Without dash: You are the friend, the only friend, who offered to help me. With dash: You are the friend – the only friend – who offered to help me.

Dashes Rule #2 Words and phrases between dashes are not generally part of the subject. Ex. Joe – and his adorable puppy – was always welcome.

Dashes: Rule#3 Dashes replace otherwise required punctuation. Ex. Without dash: The woman from Atlanta, Georgia, arrived. With dash: The woman – she was from Atlanta, Georgia– arrived.

Practice time!!! Replace the comma, semicolon, etc., with a dash at the appropriate place. Warning: Some commas might not need a dash! 1.I work really hard; she has all the fun. 2.Nettie, her chin held high, walked out into the storm. 3.I wish you would…oh, never mind. 4.The January 1, 2013 edition, of the Ames Sentinel arrived in June. 5.The mall parking lot, cold and wet in the October rain, were deserted

Answers 1.I work really hard– she has all the fun. 2.Nettie – her chin held high – walked out into the storm. 3.I wish you would – oh, never mind. 4.The January 1, 2013 edition--of the Ames Sentinel – arrived in June. 5.The mall parking lot– cold and wet in the October rain – were deserted.

Ellipsis The ellipsis looks like this: “….”. Some people say, “Dot, Dot, Dot.” The plural of an ellipsis is ellipses. It can be found in the middle of the sentence or at the end.

Ellipsis It is a pause that indicates the passage of time. Ex. Elise cried and cried…and then cried some more.

Ellipsis Another reason to use an ellipsis is because you have an unfinished thought or utterance in dialogue. Ex: “ I ’ ve been thinking…”Sandra said, distantly.

Ellipsis Before using an ellipsis in a sentence, think of these questions and see if they apply to the situation. 1. Will my pause show the passage of time or some unfinished thought? 2. Will the pause appear in the middle of a sentence or at the end of an unfinished thought? 3. Insert the ellipsis leaving spaces on either side of the ellipsis in mid-sentence or just before the ellipsis at the sentence end.

Practice problems Add the ellipsis where it is supposed to go. Hint: don ’ t forget to remember the questions in the last slide! 1.Days later we finally heard back from the office. 2.“ I was wondering. ” stammered Phillip. 3. If only she had oh it doesn ’ t matter now. 4.I didn ’ t mean to ” said Sally 5.She walked and walked and walked some more.

Answers 1.Days later … we finally heard back from the office. 2.“ I was wondering … ” stammered Phillip. 3. If only she had … oh it doesn ’ t matter now. 4.I didn ’ t mean to … ” said Sally 5.She walked and walked…. and walked some more.