Comma Review

Today I will review commas and their uses, so I can be prepared for a minor assessment.

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Using correct punctuation makes you look smart.

​Commas:

8 Basic Uses

1. Use a comma to separate independent clauses.

​Make sure both clauses have a subject and a verb.

Rule: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, yet, so, or nor, for) when it joins two complete ideas (independent clauses).

1. He walked down the street, and then he turned the corner.

2. You can go shopping with me, or you can go to a movie alone.

3. She discussed the material and told the class to rub their tummies.

Look out for missing subjects!

Multiple Choice

Ms. McGlynn's class can eat grass, or they can smoke it.

• Correct

• Incorrect

Multiple Choice

Ms. McGlynn teaches with a birch switch and she swats sleeping students and those who are awake.

• Correct

• Incorrect

2. Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase.

​Look for who, what, when, where, why, and how.

Rule: Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase. These transitions provide background details.

1. When Evan was ready to iron, his cat tripped on the cord.

2. Near a small stream at the bottom of the canyon, park rangers discovered a gold mine.

Introductory words and phrases are always offset by a comma and are used to show that two ideas are connected, but not dependent.

3. Use a comma between ALL items in a series.

Rule: Use a comma to separate each item in a series.

1. We bought apples, peaches, and bananas today. (series of words)

2. Mary promised that she would be a good girl, that she would not bite her brother, and that she would not climb onto the television. (series of clauses)

3. The instructor looked through his briefcase, through his desk, and around the office for the lost grade book. (series of phrases)

A series is a group of three or more items having the same function and form in a sentence.

4. Use a comma to set off non-restrictive clauses.

Rule: Use commas to enclose clauses not essential to the meaning of a sentence.

1. Steven Strom, whose show you like, will host a party next week. (non-restrictive)

2. John, who spent the last three days fishing, is back on the job again. (non-restrictive)

3. The gentleman who is standing by the fireplace is a well-known composer. (restrictive)

Clauses which are essential are called restrictive. Both restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses may begin with a relative pronoun (such as who, whom, whose, that, which). A relative pronoun refers to the noun or pronoun that precedes it.

5. Use a comma after to set off appositives.

Rule: An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames a nearby noun.

1. Alexander Pope, the Restoration poet, is famous for his monologues. (appositive)

2. The poet Pope is famous for his monologues. (no appositive)

3. The New York Jets, the underdogs, surprised everyone by winning the Super Bowl. (appositive)

Appositives offer nonessential information.

6. Use a comma to indicate a direct address.

Look for a name!

Rule: Direct address is indicated by the use of a comma or commas, depending upon its placement within the sentence.

1. I think, John, you’re wrong.

2. John, I think you’re wrong.

3. I think you’re wrong, John.

When a speaker in a sentence names the person to whom he is speaking, this addressing of his audience is called direct address.

7. Use a comma to set off direct quotations.

Look for a name and verb related to the quoted speech.

Rule: A dialogue is a conversation between two or more people.

1. Mary said, “I dislike concerts because the music is too loud.”

2. “I dislike concerts because the music is too loud,” she said.

3. “I dislike concerts,” proclaimed Mary, “because the music is too loud.”

If the speaker (not the listener) in the conversation is identified, his name, (or the noun or pronoun used to refer to the speaker), and the verb that refers to his speaking are enclosed within commas.

8. Use commas with dates, addresses, titles, and numbers. (Part 1)

Europeans put the day first and need one less comma.

Rules for dates: In dates, the year is set off from the rest of the sentence with a pair of commas.

Ex: On December 12, 1890, orders were sent out for the arrest of Sitting Bull.

Don't forget the comma after the year!

Between town/city & state/country.

Rules for addresses: The elements of an address or place name are separated by commas. A zip code, however, is not preceded by a comma.

1. John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England, in 1940.

2. Please send the letter to Greg Carvin at 708 Spring Street, Washington, IL 61571.

No commas between state and zip.

8. Use commas with dates, addresses, titles, and numbers. (Part 2)

When a title comes BEFORE a name, no matter how long it is, never use a comma between the title and the name.

Rules for titles: If a title follows a name, separate the title from the rest of the sentence with a pair of commas.

1. Sandra Belinsky, MD, has been appointed to the board.

2. Robert Yeager, Professor of English, is chair of the Department of English and Foreign Languages.

Title before = no comma; tittle after = comma.

8. Use commas with dates, addresses, titles, and numbers. (Part 3)

Five or more digits, always use commas.

Rules for numbers: In numbers more than four digits long, use commas to separate the numbers into groups of three, starting from the right.

1. 3,500 [or 3500]

2. 100,000

3. 6,000,000

IRules for numbers: In numbers more than four digits long, use commas to separate the numbers into groups of three, starting from the right. In numbers four digits long, a comma is optional.

8. Use commas with dates, addresses, titles, and numbers. (Part 4)