Commas Until You Cry !

No handbook says to use commas where you pause while speaking! X Blah blah blah [pause = ,] blah blah blah [pause = ,] blah blah blah . . .

As carefully as architects plan skyscrapers, you must create successful sentences by learning when and where to place commas.

Read this example: That tasty poodle went over my tongue, down my throat, and into my stomach!

Participle Phrase Begins with a present or past participle. A present participle always ends in ing. A past participle frequently ends in ed.

Read this example: Ground like hamburger, boiling in swamp water, seasoned with garlic, the tasty poodle simmered in a pot!

Appositive An appositive is a noun phrase that renames another noun. An appositive comes either right before or right after the noun it describes. Check out this example: The poodle, a yapping fur ball, was not as tasty as the human foot I snagged last week.

Compare this sentence … I have already eaten Marvin. B u r p ! Burp

No thank you! I have already eaten, Marvin. … to this sentence. No thank you! I have already eaten, Marvin.

Adverb Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Many adverbs end in ly ; many others, however, do not. In terms of comma placement, worry about those adverbs that act as transitions between sentences or between paragraphs.

Read these examples: Unfortunately, poodles give me indigestion. That fact, however, will not keep me from eating them.

Subordinate Clause Begins with a subordinate conjunction, such as although, because, if, when, while, etc. Click here for a complete list. Includes a subject and a verb. Does not, however, express a complete thought.

Read these examples: If you ever fall off a boat . . . While I am swimming nearby . . .

Then my doctor said, “Poodles are bad for your health!” Speaker/Writer Tag Introduces a direct quotation. Includes a subject and verb. Check out this example: Then my doctor said, “Poodles are bad for your health!”

Comma Tip 1 All introductory elements require a comma when they are connected to a main clause that follows. The pattern looks like this: Introductory element main clause. + , +

1.  Because she is short, Francine loves to go food shopping with Rachel, a tall friend. Strolling down the aisles, Francine asks Rachel to grab packages of imported crackers and boxes of high-fiber cereal, items that are always too high to reach. 1.  Because she is short, Francine loves to go food shopping with Rachel, a tall friend. Strolling down the aisles Francine asks Rachel to grab packages of imported crackers and boxes of high-fiber cereal, items that are always too high to reach. 1.  Because she is short Francine loves to go food shopping with Rachel, a tall friend. Strolling down the aisles Francine asks Rachel to grab packages of imported crackers and boxes of high-fiber cereal, items that are always too high to reach.

2.   On top of the computer monitor in the bedroom, a collection of stuffed unicorns supervises the work Lori completes at the keyboard below. 2.   On top of the computer monitor in the bedroom a collection of stuffed unicorns supervises the work Lori completes at the keyboard below.

3.  Akram has a problem hitting the snooze button on his alarm over and over. To get to his first class on time, Akram frequently eats a donut in the car, getting crumbs all over the seat of his new vehicle. 3.  Akram has a problem hitting the snooze button on his alarm over and over. To get to his first class on time Akram frequently eats a donut in the car, getting crumbs all over the seat of his new vehicle.

4.  Pablo walked all the way across campus before he noticed the lightness of his book bag. Suddenly, he realized that his heavy chemistry text was on the backseat of his car. 4.  Pablo walked all the way across campus before he noticed the lightness of his book bag. Suddenly he realized that his heavy chemistry text was on the backseat of his car.

5.  In English class, no one wants to sit next to Eli because he is always smacking his gum loudly. Moreover, he nervously swings his leg, kicking people in the thighs, shins, and ankles. 5.  In English class, no one wants to sit next to Eli because he is always smacking his gum loudly. Moreover he nervously swings his leg, kicking people in the thighs, shins, and ankles. 5.  In English class no one wants to sit next to Eli because he is always smacking his gum loudly. Moreover he nervously swings his leg, kicking people in the thighs, shins, and ankles.

Only one more sentence part to learn!

I can still eat poodle dinners, which I really enjoy, in moderation. Nonessential Clause Begins with who, whoever, whom, whomever, where, wherever, which, or whichever. Contains a subject and a verb. Check out this example: I can still eat poodle dinners, which I really enjoy, in moderation.

Comma Tip 2 All interrupters require a comma in front and behind when they break the flow of a complete sentence. The pattern looks like this: First part of the sentence + , + interrupter + , + rest of the sentence.

1. George used War and Peace, a heavy, thick, intimidating book, to smash the cockroaches he found crawling on the walls of his college dorm room. 1. George used War and Peace, a heavy, thick, intimidating book to smash the cockroaches he found crawling on the walls of his college dorm room. 1. George used War and Peace a heavy, thick, intimidating book to smash the cockroaches he found crawling on the walls of his college dorm room.

2. Take this soup bone, Joe, and give it to the puppy before he starts chewing on our shoes.

3. “When you get hungry,” my mother announced, “I want you to try a bowl of this squid eyeball stew.” 3. “When you get hungry,” my mother announced “I want you to try a bowl of this squid eyeball stew.” 3. “When you get hungry” my mother announced “I want you to try a bowl of this squid eyeball stew.”

4.  Prof. Finklestein, who assigns more papers than he has time to grade, keeps student essays half a semester before returning them. 4.  Prof. Finklestein, who assigns more papers than he has time to grade keeps student essays half a semester before returning them. 4.  Prof. Finklestein who assigns more papers than he has time to grade keeps student essays half a semester before returning them.

5.  January, the month Julie usually dreads because of its cold, dark mornings, was unusually warm this past year. 5.  January, the month Julie usually dreads because of its cold, dark mornings was unusually warm this past year. 5.  January the month Julie usually dreads because of its cold, dark mornings was unusually warm this past year.

Comma Tip 3 All concluding elements require a comma when they are connected at the end of a main clause. The pattern looks like this: Main clause concluding element. + , +

1. Jennifer tolerated the family reunion, slapping mosquitoes with a paper plate and drinking iced tea to combat the heat. 1. Jennifer tolerated the family reunion slapping mosquitoes with a paper plate and drinking iced tea to combat the heat.

No concluding element = no comma! 2. In a panic, Tony searched the interior of his car. He hoped to find his biology lab work under the front seat or among the clutter in the trunk.

3. At Tito’s Taco Palace, James tried to keep pace with Theodore, who can eat a burrito in thirty seconds flat. 3. At Tito’s Taco Palace, James tried to keep pace with Theodore who can eat a burrito in thirty seconds flat.

4. “Don’t bother to ask Mom,” warned Sue 4. “Don’t bother to ask Mom,” warned Sue. “She never extends curfew, especially if you tell her that you will be out with a guy.” 4. “Don’t bother to ask Mom,” warned Sue. “She never extends curfew especially if you tell her that you will be out with a guy.” 4. “Don’t bother to ask Mom” warned Sue. “She never extends curfew especially if you tell her that you will be out with a guy.”

5. At the West Oaks Mall food court, Aisha winked at Rodney, a cute young man in a tight T-shirt.

Comma Tip 4 Follow these rules when you use commas with and. Complete sentence + , + and complete sentence. item + Ø + and + item item + , + item + , + and + item

item + and + item = no comma! 1. Tony wanted to order a pizza from the Pizza Hutch and some shrimp fried rice from Wei-Wei's Cantonese Kitchen.

2. Debbie rushed to get the report typed, and Martha frantically answered the phones.

item + and + item = no comma! 3. I don't know when to leave my credit card at home and when to say no to a cheeseburger with fries.

4. When Mike took his truck to the dealership, the mechanics wanted to put in a new starter, replace his shocks, and overhaul the transmission. 4. When Mike took his truck to the dealership, the mechanics wanted to put in a new starter, replace his shocks and overhaul the transmission.

item + and + item = no comma! 5. Because George snores to wake the dead and because Fuzzball, the dog, barks at the slightest sound, Alice never gets a good night's sleep.

Comma Tip 5 Follow these rules when you use commas with nonessential clauses. The student + ø + essential clause + ø + ran to his class. Robert + , + nonessential clause + , + ran to his class.

Essential clause = no commas! 1. People who know their grammar rules shouldn't always correct those of us who don't.

2. My brother James, who cannot please Dad, has decided to move to Michigan.

Essential clause = no commas! 3. The basketball players whom I admire the most play for teams other than the Orlando Magic.

4. The movie Aliens, which I have seen twenty-seven times, contains too much violence for my nephews to watch. 4. The movie Aliens, which I have seen twenty-seven times contains too much violence for my nephews to watch. 4. The movie Aliens which I have seen twenty-seven times contains too much violence for my nephews to watch.

5. We watched a crazy kid on a skateboard weave through the heavy traffic on Orange Avenue. The kid, who had no fear of death or litigation, leaped a curb and crashed into a lawyer walking along the sidewalk. 5. We watched a crazy kid on a skateboard weave through the heavy traffic on Orange Avenue. The kid, who had no fear of death or litigation leaped a curb and crashed into a lawyer walking along the sidewalk. 5. We watched a crazy kid on a skateboard weave through the heavy traffic on Orange Avenue. The kid who had no fear of death or litigation leaped a curb and crashed into a lawyer walking along the sidewalk.

noncoordinate adjective noncoordinate adjective Comma Tip 6 Follow these rules when you use commas with a series of adjectives. coordinate adjective coordinate adjective + , + noncoordinate adjective noncoordinate adjective + ø +

1. Two cluttered computer tables and an unmade, sagging bed fill Antonio’s small bedroom.

2. The cute, soft, frisky ferret will bite your fingers if you try to pick him up.

3. Michael's faded, ragged New York Jets jacket was an inappropriate choice of clothing for his second interview at the bank. 3. Michael's faded ragged New York Jets jacket was an inappropriate choice of clothing for his second interview at the bank.

4. The hot, spicy, appetizing bowl of squid eyeball stew steamed on the clean, shiny kitchen counter. 4. The hot, spicy, appetizing bowl of squid eyeball stew steamed on the clean shiny kitchen counter. 4. The hot, spicy appetizing bowl of squid eyeball stew steamed on the clean shiny kitchen counter. 4. The hot spicy appetizing bowl of squid eyeball stew steamed on the clean shiny kitchen counter.

5. A strange smell emanated from Barbara's blue, disorganized book bag, which lay on the floor beside her desk. 5. A strange smell emanated from Barbara's blue disorganized book bag, which lay on the floor beside her desk.

Comma Tip 7 Follow these rules with so and so that or so [that implied]. Complete sentence + , + so + complete sentence. Complete sentence + ø + so that + subordinate clause.

Implied that after so = no comma! 1. Robbie bought a small microwave for his first apartment so he could cook popcorn and macaroni and cheese, the only meals he could afford. Implied that after so = no comma!

Implied that after so = no comma! 2. Sylvia wore flat shoes on her date with Tony so she wouldn’t intimidate this short young man with her height.

Implied that after so = no comma! 3. Yuko bought a small aquarium and some goldfish so her apartment wouldn’t feel so lonely.

The comma is for the interrupter, not the so that. 4. Patrick always carries an English handbook with him, even to basketball games so that he can check other people’s grammar wherever he goes. 4. Patrick always carries an English handbook with him, even to basketball games, so that he can check other people’s grammar wherever he goes. The comma is for the interrupter, not the so that.

5. Rachel neglected to make her car payment three months in a row, so she must hide her car in friends’ garages in an attempt to foil the repo man. 5. Rachel neglected to make her car payment three months in a row so she must hide her car in friends’ garages in an attempt to foil the repo man.

The END.