Punctuation Marks & Commas(Coordinating Conjunctions) Mechanics Punctuation Marks & Commas(Coordinating Conjunctions)

Punctuation marks To use punctuation marks, a sentence must have an independent clause. Independent clause: a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and that can stand alone. E.g. New Year (subject) is celebrated (verb) every year. [independent clause] New Year is celebrated. [independent clause] New Year is celebrated, and they have a party. [independent clause] E.g. When New Year is celebrated in every year. [dependent clause] (we do not know what happens when New Year is celebrated.) Celebrating a New Year eve. [dependent clause] (Celebrating is not a verb, it’s a gerund or participle)

Using commas: Coordinating Conjunctions Are words that establish a relationship between two independent clauses. There are 7 : FANBOYS F – for A – and N – nor B – but O – or Y – yet S – so

If it doesn’t have a subject and verb, do not use comma. E.g. They know a lot about nutrition, yet they eat unhealthy food. If it doesn’t have a subject and verb, do not use comma. Annie got up late and forgot to call her mother on Mother’s day. However, it is not a good academic style of using the coordinating conjunctions for begin the sentence. Non – academic style We were going to go to the movie. But, we didn’t know what time it started. Academic style We were going to go to the movie. However, we didn’t know what time it started. However is a transitional word.

subordinating conjunctions after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, till, until, when, where, whether, while, etc) No comma is used after subordinating conjunctions. A subordinating conjunction joins a subordinate (dependent) clause to a main (independent) clause E.g. Ram went swimming (independent clause) although it was raining.(dependent clause)

Comma splices & run-on sentences Mechanics Comma splices & run-on sentences

Comma Splices Is an error that occurs when a comma by itself is used between two independent clauses. A comma is correct between two independent clauses, but only when it is followed by a coordinating conjunction. E.g. : My dad hung a bird feeder in the backyard, he loves to watch the birds eat from it. (error)

4 ways to correct comma splices: Put a period in the place of the comma and capitalize the first word of the next sentence. My dad hung a bird feeder in the backyard. He loves to watch the birds eat from it. Put a semicolon in the place of the comma. My dad hung a bird feeder in the backyard; he loves to watch the birds eat from it. Insert a coordinating conjunction. My dad hung a bird feeder in the backyard, and he loves to watch the birds eat from it. Change one of the clauses into a dependent clause by starting it with a subordinating conjunction Since my dad hung a bird feeder in the backyard, he loves to watch the birds eat from it.

Run-on Sentences Two or more independent clauses follow each other without any punctuation. E.g. : Cutting down the rain forests leads to the extinction of plants and animals their habitats are destroyed. (error)

3 common ways to correct run-on sentences Make two separate sentences. Cutting down the rain forests leads to the extinction of plants and animals. Their habitats are destroyed. Add extra words. When their habitats are destroyed due to cutting down the rain forests, many plants and animals become extinct. Add a subordinating conjunction. Cutting down the rain forests leads to the extinction of plants and animals because their habitats are destroyed.