Comma Rules - Fischer

Comma Usage

Objective • To learn how to use commas accurately and effectively.

Comma Concept #1: Series Comma Concept 1a: Series List

• Use commas to separate

three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series.

Examples of 1a • I read the articles, extracts, and books for my final exam. • Mexico had been ruled by the Spanish, by the Mexicans, and by the French.

Examples of 1a • The bank filled quickly with people who transferred their accounts, who cashed checks, and who opened safe-deposit boxes.

Try these: • The shirt came in small medium and large. • Please wash the dishes fold the laundry and rake the leaves. • I’m going to the movies with Angela Vanessa Mike and Sarah. • I don’t like squash eggplant or zucchini because of their squishy textures.

Answers: • The shirt came in small, medium, and large. • Please wash the dishes, fold the laundry, and rake the leaves. • I’m going to the movies with Angela, Vanessa, Mike, and Sarah. • I don’t like squash, eggplant, or zucchini because of their squishy textures.

Comma Concept 1 b: Series Adjective

The Yes-Yes Rule

• Use commas to separate adjectives of equal rank.

Examples of 1b • Wild, beautiful scenery • Detailed, precise instructions

What are “adjectives of equal rank”?

To determine if commas are needed, ask yourself two questions: 1. Can you put the word “and” between the adjectives and still have the sentence retain its exact meaning?

2. Can you switch the adjectives and still have a sentence that sounds grammatically correct? If the answer to both questions is yes, then YES, a comma is needed to separate the adjectives.

• The teacher left detailed and precise instructions for the substitute. • Yes, this works!

• The teacher left precise, detailed instructions for the substitute. • Yes, this works!

• If the answer to both questions is no, then no comma is needed. This is Concept 1c.

Comma Concept 1c: Series Adjective

The No-No Rule

• Do not use commas to separate adjectives that must stay in a specific order.

Examples of 1c • Rigid social classes • Few short hours

How do I know if adjectives must stay in a specific order?

To determine if commas are needed, ask yourself two questions: 1. Can you put the word “and” between the adjectives and still have the sentence retain its exact meaning?

2. Can you switch the adjectives and still have a sentence that sounds grammatically correct? If the answer to both questions is no, then NO, a comma is not needed to separate the adjectives.

• Ancient Rome had rigid and social classes. • This does not work!

• Ancient Rome had social rigid classes. • This does not work!

• The adjectives must go in a certain order, therefore, no comma is needed. • Rome had rigid social classes.

Try these: • • • • •

Plump healthy wife Great raging river New red sports car Third mid-life crisis Thick black hair

• Lofty dignified woman • Raging howling rivers • Loud whining voice • Experienced subway rider • Five tiny wafers

Answers: • • • • •

Plump, healthy wife Great, raging river New, red sports car Third mid-life crisis Thick, black hair

• Lofty, dignified woman • Raging, howling rivers • Loud, whining voice • Experienced subway rider • Five, tiny wafers

Comma Concept #2: Compound Sentence FANBOYS For And Nor But Or Yet So (but not so

that)

Comma Concept #2: Compound Sentence • Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) to separate two independent clauses in a compound sentence.

Examples of Concept 2 • We went to the store, and we went to the movies. • We started to feel raindrops, so we went inside. • I am studying so (that) I can graduate. *No comma needed

Try these:

Make a compound sentence by adding a comma and a conjunction (FANBOYS)

• He is studying psychology. He really enjoys it. • She doesn’t like going to the gym. She doesn’t like running. • George didn’t want to see the movie. He went anyway.

Answers:

Make a compound sentence by adding a comma and a conjunction (FANBOYS)

• He is studying psychology, and he really enjoys it. • She doesn’t like going to the gym, nor does she like running. • George didn’t want to see the movie, but he went anyway.

More Practice: Commas in a series

• I like red green and blue.

• I have to walk the dog feed the fish and cook dinner. • The dinner he prepared included spicy Indian food rice bread and hot tea.

More Practice: Yes-Yes / No-No Rule • big broken desk • large teacher desk • ugly bald puppies • three ugly puppies

• summer theater troupe • snowy cold winter day

More Practice:

Compound sentences w/ FANBOYS • We sat. We waited. • I’m six feet tall. I can’t reach the top shelf. • I can’t stand people who litter. I can’t stand people who don’t recycle. • I ate too much ice cream. I feel sick to my stomach.

Words listed in a series:

Rule #1a Exception • If the items have commas within them, then commas are no longer enough to separate those items; now you’ll need a semicolon to satisfy rule 2 • I asked Mr. Hardy, the art teacher; Mrs. Jefferson, the math teacher; and Ms. Gout, the crazy lady in the cafeteria. – Use semicolons between the individual people or this will look like a list of six people, not three.

Rule 3: Introductory Elements • Use a comma after an introductory phrase or clause at the beginning of a sentence. • Separates unnecessary info from main sentences

• Introductory Words – No, yes, thankfully, finally, however, well, oh, etc. Examples: Thankfully, Joe studied hard. No, I will not order the magazine from you.

Rule 3: Introductory • Introductory phrases / clauses: How do you know if the phrase / clause is unessential? • Check: Cover any part of the sentence w/ your finger. If the sentence no longer makes sense, then what you’re covering is essential!

Examples: • When World War II ended, shopping centers became popular.

.

Try these:

Introductory Elements • Of course we can get that printed! • Because she likes cheese she moved to Wisconsin.

• Well I think we should ask for help. • At night in the desert the temperature falls rapidly. • To keep strong bones make sure to eat calcium rich foods.

Rule #4: Interrupters (aka parenthetical expressions)

• Separate extra, non-essential material from the main sentence that is interrupting the flow of the sentence. Like speed bumps – you have to slow down for them, then you can go back to normal speed afterwards.

• These are the kinds of words, phrases etc. that could be put into parentheses • If item is removed, make sure you still have a complete sentence. • Put a comma on either end of the interrupter, unless at the beginning of the sentence.

Try these: Interrupters Example: My jacket, Bob, is on the couch. Person you are talking to is not necessary to sentence.

• That however is not my problem. • And my fingernails as a result are still sticky. • It was my brother not me who painted the cat. • I went with my cousins even though I knew better to play in the junkyard. • The car lost one wheel therefore it went into the ditch.

Rule #6: Essential/Non-essential Elements 1. When a noun or pronoun is followed immediately by a description, you must ask if it is necessary or extra info. - If it is ESSENTIAL, then you do NOT need commas - If it is NOT ESSENTIAL, then you NEED commas Check: Test if it is essential by taking the phrase out. If the sentence makes sense, then the phrase is NOT essential. 1. No Comma- The car that is parked across the street is ready. 2. Yes Comma – My new car, which is parked across the street, is ready.

2.

Rule #6: Essential/Non-essential Elements 2. If the noun/pronoun is fairly specific, then description is probably NOT essential. 3. If the noun/pronoun is fairly general, then the description is probably essential, and no commas should be used. a. The girl who is sitting near the window laughed at me. b. Martha, who is sitting near the window, laughed at me.

Try these… 1. My friend do you know how malls are run? 2. After World War II ended American became obsessed with the shopping center. 3. Attracting businesses of all kinds the shopping center industry is very profitable. 4. We will go Marge as soon as your father arrives.

Answers 1. My friend, do you know how malls are run? 2. After World War II ended, American became obsessed with the shopping center. 3. Attracting businesses of all kinds, the shopping center industry is very profitable. 4. We will go, Marge, as soon as your father arrives.

Rule 7: Dates, Places, and Titles 1. Date a. b. c. d.

After the day of the week After date After year if sentence continues Example: Monday, October 27, 2008

2. Geographical Name a. Between the city and a state - Albuquerque, NM - Seattle, WA b. Between the state and the rest of the sentence - Bothell, Washington, is the town that I grew up in.

Rule 7: cont. 3. Name with a Title a. after the name, before the title - John Smith, M.D.

b. after the title if the sentence continues - John Smith, M.D., discussed safe ways to lose weight c. Other titles - Sr., Inc., III, IV, etc.

Rule 8: Miscellaneous 1.

Address (if in a sentence) a. after the street # and name b. after the city c. after the zip code if the sentence continues Example: I used to live at 611 N. 50th St., Seattle, Washington, 98103.

2. Address on an Envelope Ms. Fischer 611 N. 50th St. Seattle, WA 98103

Salutations/Closings, Numbers • Letters – Use comma after the salutation • Dear Mom, Dear Aunt Sally,

• Use commas after the closing – Sincerely, Yours truly, Your friend,

• Numbers – After every three numbers if more than 3 – Example: 31, 654 envelopes, 1, 759, 234 people in the country

Quotes • Separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence. Examples: • The guest asked, “Do you know of any nearby supermarkets that are open all night?” • “If you don’t mind a little drive,” the host said, “you will find one about three miles down the road.”

Try these… 1. “In a few minutes” laughed Julio “you’ll know the surprise. 2. Dear Peter 3. John Briggs Jr. inherited his father’s business. 4. In spring planting begins. 5. On June 20 1793 Eli Whitney applied for a patent for his cotton gin.

Answers 1. “In a few minutes,” laughed Julio, “you’ll know the surprise.” 2. Dear Peter, 3. John Briggs, Jr., inherited his father’s business. 4. In spring, planting begins. 5. On June 20, 1793, Eli Whitney applied for a patent for his cotton gin.

Review Exercise 1. Entry-level salaries at that factory are $14000 a year. 2. There are five houses on that street now not that the two of you remember. 3. I shoveled snow all morning and now I am tired. 4. What time is dinner Mom? 5. Don’t you think Ellen that we need more punch?

Cont. 6. Jeremy a somewhat retiring person surprised us all by winning the debate. 7. “In the south wing” the guide continued “were the family’s private living quarters.” 8. Phil’s new address is 17026 Parker Court Dover Delaware 19901. 9. You must nevertheless do the assignments.

Homework • Write a letter to a friend of yours or an imaginary friend (12-15 sentences) – Address you are writing from (heading w/date) – Salutation and Closing – 3 Sents. – one sentence each for rules 1-3 (compound sent, series, adjectives) – 3 Sents. – introductory material, parenthetical or nonessential expressions (any combo of the three) – 3 examples of any of these comma uses: dates, geographic names, names with titles, direct quotations, large numbers