Commas and Other Usage

Commas and Other Usage Writing Workshop Wednesday, April 2nd

Before We Get to Commas What is a sentence? S V O Ilove this flavor.

Before We Get to Commas You can extend it with a prepositional phrase. S V O Ilove this flavor of ice cream.

Before We Get to Commas You can extend it with a subordinated clause. S V O conj. S V Ilove this flavor of ice cream because it is delicious.

Before We Get to Commas And you can extend it with a coordinate clause. S V O conj. S V Ilove this flavor of ice cream because it is conj.S V delicious, and it reminds me of home.

Comma Rules There is no limit on how many commas you can use in a sentence, as long as each comma is following a rule. Commas are only wrong when a rule is broken or when they are applied incorrectly.

Rule 1 Use commas to separate words, phrases, or clauses in a list or series.

Rule 1 Use commas to separate words, phrases, or clauses in a list or series. • A worthwhile philosophy includes honesty, industry, and kindness. • John, David, and Mark left the store. • Maria bought flowers, drove to Alejandra’s house, and gave her the flowers.

Rule 2 Use a comma to set off introductory words, phrases, and clauses from the sentence.

Rule 2 Use a comma to set off introductory words, phrases, and clauses from the sentence. • After the storm was over, we went home. • In 1516, soldiers were hired as mercenaries. • Yes, I will be there. • Having eaten dinner, Juan fell asleep.

Rule 3 Use commas to set off interrupting words, phrases, and clauses.

Rule 3 Use commas to set off interrupting words, phrases, and clauses. • Jane, who is my best friend, has asked me to be a bridesmaid. • Jonathan will, in fact, serve on the committee. • I, for one, love learning about grammar.

Rule 4 Use commas before afterthoughts.

Rule 4 Use commas before afterthoughts. • She kept leaving money in my jar, not that I had a problem with it. • Can we meet up sometime, maybe after class? • Joanna stayed at home, never realizing what was outside.

Rule 5 Use a comma with a conjunction (and, but, or, so, for, yet) to make a compound sentence.

Rule 5 Use a comma with a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to make a compound sentence. • David is talking, but no one is listening. • Protestors continue to march, yet nothing changes. • I hate reading, so I’m bad at writing.

Rule 6 Use commas in addresses and dates.

Rule 6 Use commas in addresses and dates. • Hal lives at 222 Joy Street, Dayton, Ohio. • He was born on December 22, 1967. • On December 7th, 1941, the Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor.

Rule 7 Use commas with direct quotations.

Rule 7 Use commas with direct quotations. • “I have to study for the math test,” my sister complained. • “I wish,” commented Andrea, “that you wouldn’t call me so early in the morning.” • David Mulroy argues, “Grammar is rarely taught these days.”

Rule 8 Use commas with words of direct address.

Rule 8 Use commas with words of direct address. • Maria, come over here. • I wish, Xiomara, that you would come over later. • Are you ready, Gerardo?

Rule 9 Use a comma to set off contrasting expressions or to show emphasis.

Rule 9 Use a comma to set off contrasting expressions or to show emphasis. • Not only is the food good, but the music is fantastic. • The book was Frank’s, not Hal’s. • The bigger they are, the harder the fall.

Other Usage Rules • Form the possessive singular of nouns with 's. David’s presentation; the dog’s bone • Do not break sentences in two. (Don’t use periods for commas.) I tend to get sick a lot. Especially when it’s cold. I like her. But not him.

Other Usage Rules • A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence must refer to the grammatical subject. (Dangling Modifier) *Walking home, my backpack fell. Walking home, I dropped my backpack. • The number of the subject determines the number of the verb. (SV Agreement) I walk, You walk, We walk, They walk He walks, She walks, It walks

Common Mistakes • There, Their, They’re I saw him there. Have you met the Robinsons? Their house is amazing. Help Joe and Claudia with the chores. They’re having trouble.

Common Mistakes • Who/Whom Address the letter to whomever it concerns. I don’t know anyone who would like that movie. • To, Two, Too I want to go to the beach. I would like tworaspas. This raspa has too much ice and not enough syrup.

Common Mistakes • Lay/Lie Everyday, I lie down on my bed. Yesterday, I lay on my bed. Emilio, lay that book down on the table, please. • A, An, The I have a book; she has an apple. Give me the book; give me the apple.

Common Mistakes • This, These, That, Those Grab this book (close by). Grab these books (close by). Grab that book (over there). Grab those books (over there).

Common Mistakes • Adverbial Conjunctions (however, therefore, moreover, furthermore, consequently, etc.) NOT although or though I enjoy classic movies; therefore, I go on Sunday evenings. I enjoy classic movies. Therefore, I go on Sunday evenings.

Commas and Other Usage