Comma Usage 11 English Grammar Review

Commas with Introductory Elements Use a comma after mild interjections or introductory words such as oh, yes, no, and well. Ex: Yes, I will go with you to the movies. Use a comma after mild interjections or introductory words such as oh, yes, no, and well. Ex: Yes, I will go with you to the movies. Use a comma after an introductory prepositional phrase that contains additional prepositional phrases. Ex: At the end of the performance, the actors received roses. Use a comma after an introductory prepositional phrase that contains additional prepositional phrases. Ex: At the end of the performance, the actors received roses.

Commas with Introductory Elements cont’d. Use a comma after an introductory adverb or adverbial clause. Ex: Finally, the game is over. Use a comma after an introductory adverb or adverbial clause. Ex: Finally, the game is over. Use a comma after an infinitive or participial phrase that serves as an introductory elements. Ex: Laughing loudly, the student gained everyone’s attention. Use a comma after an infinitive or participial phrase that serves as an introductory elements. Ex: Laughing loudly, the student gained everyone’s attention.

Commas with Interrupters Use commas to set off nouns of direct address. Ex: John Ashley, please take off your hat. Use commas to set off nouns of direct address. Ex: John Ashley, please take off your hat. Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions, such as however, therefore, for example, I suppose, moreover, and by the way. Ex: Moreover, the dog will ruin my new furniture. Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions, such as however, therefore, for example, I suppose, moreover, and by the way. Ex: Moreover, the dog will ruin my new furniture.

Commas with Nonessential Clauses and Phrases Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and participial phrases. Ex: Laura Beth, who is SGA President, will be giving the invocation. Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and participial phrases. Ex: Laura Beth, who is SGA President, will be giving the invocation. Use commas to set off nonessential appositives and appositive phrases. Ex: My uncle, Tom Lakes, will watch the house while my parents are away. Use commas to set off nonessential appositives and appositive phrases. Ex: My uncle, Tom Lakes, will watch the house while my parents are away.

Commas with Compound Sentences Use a comma before the conjunction that joins the two independent clauses of a compound sentence. Ex: Mary hit a line drive, but Tom threw her out at first. Use a comma before the conjunction that joins the two independent clauses of a compound sentence. Ex: Mary hit a line drive, but Tom threw her out at first.

Commas with Series or Lists In a series of three or more items, use a comma after each item but the last one. Ex: I am taking English, Calculus, and Biology this semester. In a series of three or more items, use a comma after each item but the last one. Ex: I am taking English, Calculus, and Biology this semester. Use a comma between two or more adjectives of equal rank that modify the same noun. Ex: The most talented, graceful dancer will win tonight’s competition. Do not use a comma if one adjective modifies the other. Ex: The bright red car is mine. Use a comma between two or more adjectives of equal rank that modify the same noun. Ex: The most talented, graceful dancer will win tonight’s competition. Do not use a comma if one adjective modifies the other. Ex: The bright red car is mine.

Now You Try Complete Questions 1-15 on page 158 of your grammar workbook. Complete Questions 1-15 on page 158 of your grammar workbook.

Adding Commas for Clarity Use a comma to replace an omitted word or words. Ex: Some students prefer to complete tests in pen; other, pencil. Use a comma to replace an omitted word or words. Ex: Some students prefer to complete tests in pen; other, pencil. When making a contrast, use a comma with antithetical phrases that use words such as not and unlike. Ex: Eleventh grade English, unlike tenth grade English, focuses on literature. When making a contrast, use a comma with antithetical phrases that use words such as not and unlike. Ex: Eleventh grade English, unlike tenth grade English, focuses on literature.

Eliminating Comma Splices A comma splice occurs when you use a comma to separate two main clauses. To correct this error, you can replace the comma with a period or a semicolon, or you could add a coordinating conjunction, such as and, or, so, or but, after the comma. Ex: Early completion does not mean someone graduates early, it just means they finish classes early. Early completion does not mean someone graduates early. It just means they finish classes early. A comma splice occurs when you use a comma to separate two main clauses. To correct this error, you can replace the comma with a period or a semicolon, or you could add a coordinating conjunction, such as and, or, so, or but, after the comma. Ex: Early completion does not mean someone graduates early, it just means they finish classes early. Early completion does not mean someone graduates early. It just means they finish classes early.

Now You Try Complete questions 1-18 on page 160 of your grammar workbook. Complete questions 1-18 on page 160 of your grammar workbook.

Other Uses for Commas Use a comma: To set off a personal title or a business abbreviation To set off a personal title or a business abbreviation In the salutation of a personal letter and the closing of any letter In the salutation of a personal letter and the closing of any letter Between the day of the month and the year Between the day of the month and the year After the year in a complete date within a sentence After the year in a complete date within a sentence

Other Uses of Commas cont’d. Use a comma: To separate the street, city, and state in addresses and names of places To separate the street, city, and state in addresses and names of places In numbers of more than three digits to denote thousands In numbers of more than three digits to denote thousands To set off a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence. Ex: She said, “My birthday is the same as yours.” To set off a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence. Ex: She said, “My birthday is the same as yours.”

Now You Try Complete questions 1-15 on page 163 of your grammar workbook. Complete questions 1-15 on page 163 of your grammar workbook.