1. © 2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Ch Comma
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2. © 2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Opening Activity
In each of the following sentences, identify whether commas have been used correctly or incorrectly. Hint: Two sentences contain errors.
My dog, Sophie, loves to lay outside in the heat and humidity.
She also enjoys rolling around, in the brown smelly mulch by the side of the house.
Every time, Sophie gets into the mulch I have to give her a bath.
She hates the shampoo, but loves the water.
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3. © 2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Answers
In each of the following sentences, identify whether commas have been used correctly or incorrectly. Hint: Two sentences contain errors.
My dog, Sophie, loves to lay outside in the heat and humidity. CORRECT
She also enjoys rolling around in the brown, smelly mulch by the side of the house. INCORRECT
Every time Sophie gets into the mulch, I have to give her a bath. INCORRECT
She hates the shampoo, but loves the water. CORRECT
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4. © 2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Learning Outcomes
By the time you finish reading and studying this chapter, you should be able to:
Understand comma usage…
LO1 In Compound Sentences and After Introductory Clauses
LO2 With Introductory Phrases and Equal Adjectives
LO3 Use the traits for reading and writing
L04 With Appositives and Other Word Groups
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© Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

5. In Compound Sentences and After Introductory Clauses
Use commas in compound sentences
Use a comma before the coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) in a compound sentence.
Hundreds of students visit The Writing Center each year, but Leon hasn’t sought help yet.
Use commas after introductory clauses
While The Writing Center offers thirty minute sessions, some students need more time and attention from tutors
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© Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

6. With Introductory Words and Equal Adjectives
Use commas after introductory phrases
While walking, Ryan calculated the distance between his apartment and the apartment complex’s gym.
Use commas to separate adjectives
Use commas to separate adjectives that equally modify the same noun.
Rush noticed a noxious, stringent, detergent smell when he entered the gym.
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© Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

7. With Introductory Words and Equal Adjectives
Use commas to determine equal modifiers
To determine whether adjectives modify a noun equally, use these two tests.
1. Reverse the order of the adjectives; if the sentence is clear, the adjectives modify equally.
2. Insert and between the adjectives; if the sentence reads well, use a comma when and is omitted.
Nicole noticed the piles of smelly, rotting, trash sitting next to the dumpster behind the restaurant.
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8. Between Items in a Series and Other Uses
Use commas between items in series
Use commas to separate individual words, phrases, or clauses in a series. (A series contains at least three items.)
Rosa rushed to the store to pick-up bananas, fat free milk, flour, and vanilla.
Use commas to set off transitional expressions
Use a comma to set off conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases.
First and foremost, marriage equality is a complicated issue.
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9. Between Items in a Series and Other Uses
Use commas to set off dialogue
Use commas to set off the words of the speaker from the rest of the sentence. Do not use a comma before an indirect quotation.
“Put your cell phone away,” said Dr. Miers.
Use commas to enclose explanatory words
Use commas to enclose an explanatory word or phrase.
Dr. Miers explained that texting, in her opinion, was disrespectful to her and the other students.
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© Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

10. With Appositives and Other Word Groups
Use commas to set off some appositives
A specific kind of explanatory word or phrase called an appositive identifies or renames a preceding noun or pronoun.
The mayor, who served in Iraq, is wearing a patriotic ribbon.
Use commas with some clauses and phrases
Use commas to enclose phrases or clauses that add information that is not necessary to the basic meaning of the sentence.
The mayor’s staff, who all began work last fall, arrived late for the fundraiser.
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© Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

11. With Appositives and Other Word Groups
Use commas with "that" or "which"
Use that to introduce necessary clauses; use which to introduce unnecessary clauses.
The blanket that kept me warm needs to be washed.
The blanket, which is going into the washer, is my favorite.
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12. © 2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Closing Activity
Add commas as needed in the following sentences.
Earlier today I wrote a belated personal check to the electric company.
I felt annoyed by the large flashy reminder notices they kept sending me.
Next month I will pay my electricity water and gas bills on time.
© Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
© Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

13. © 2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Answers
Add commas as needed in the following sentences.
Earlier today, I wrote a belated personal check to the electric company.
I felt annoyed by the large, flashy reminder notices they kept sending me.
Next month, I will pay my electricity, water, and gas bills on time.
© Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
© Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.