Punctuation mistakes

Punctuation mistakes

The importance of punctuation

Let's avoid "oopsies"

Oopsie...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI6z1Tk7D6U

Open Ended

Write an example of an "oopsie"

Let's learn about the type of oopsies

And avoid them at all costs!

Adding A Comma Before “That” In A Clause

Oopsie #1

Why is it wrong?

We use that to introduce a restrictive clause, Therefore we do not need a comma.

Open Ended

Write an example of the previous mistake

Commas before coordinating conjunctions

Oopsie #2

Why is it wrong?

If the coordinating conjuctions are not being used to connect 2 independent clauses, there really is no reason for you to use a comma

The cavalry charged forward, and attacked the retreating column

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence with an inappropriate use of a comma before a coordinator.

• He was tired, but he kept going

• She was dancing, and she liked it

• They were fine, yet they could not let the incident go

Comma splices

Oopsie #3

Why is it wrong?

Don’t use a comma to connect two independent clauses without also using a coordinating conjunction. If you do, it’s called a comma splice, which is one of the most common errors we encounter.

I ran down the street, he followed after me.

How do we fix this?

You can...

1. Use a coordinator

2. Usea a semi-colon

3. Start a new sentence

Open Ended

Fix the sentence

I ran down the street, he followed after me.

Run-on sentences

Oopsie #4

Why is it wrong?

Run-on sentences are extremely long, to the point where you sometimes get lost. Shorter run-on sentences have the chance of being misunderstood.

Do you want to hunt pederastians?

Or eat your grandma?

Of course you don't! so, how do we fix this problem?

1. Use a comma

2. Use a coordinator

3. Use a suboordinator

4. Use a semi-colon

5. Make them 2 separate sentences.

Open Ended

Fix the following run-on sentence:

At school I would erase words on the board and then after that I would go to the mall and get in the movies and then after that I would play soccer I scored four goals!

Restrictive vs. non-restrictive clauses

Oopsie #5

First, what are they?

Non-restrictive: Adds extra information

Restrictive: The information is necessary

How do they look?

Non-restrictive: Her dear brother Robert, who she hadn’t seen for months, would soon come home from the front

Restricitve: The man who cooked this steak should get a medal.

Multiple Choice

His dog, whom he loved very much, was 14 years old

• Restrictive

• Non-restrictive

Multiple Choice

Her neighbour, who he met when she was just a child, passed away last month

• Restrictive

• Non-restricitve

Multiple Choice

The neighbour who left the door open should learn some manners

• Restrictive

• Non-restrictive

So... What's the oopsie?

Using commas for essential information. The only information that should go between commas is the one we can ommit. For essential information however, commas are NOT used.

Open Ended

Fix the following sentence:

The neighbour, who left the door open, should learn some manners

Open Ended

Fix the following sentence:

Her grandfather who had been in the vietnam war still has flashbacks.

Oxford comma

Oopsie #6

What is it?

 When you have a list of three or more items, you have the option of ending with a comma. For example: “The necklace, the pearls, and the diamond ring.” Or you can avoid it. For example: “The necklace, the pearls and the diamond ring.” 

What's the deal?

It can clariyf things.

For example: “I love my sons, Andrew and Edward.” Are you saying that you love your sons and they’re called Andrew and Edward or that you love your sons AND you love Andrew and Edward? An Oxford comma would clear things up.

Open Ended

Write an sentence using the oxfor comma