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Comma usage rules

Comma usage rules. Chapter 14. Commas. End marks are generally used to separate complete thoughts or ideas. COMMAS are generally used to separate words or groups of words within a complete thought. Rule 14f. Use commas to separate items in a series (pg. 336)

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Comma usage rules

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  1. Comma usage rules Chapter 14

  2. Commas • End marks are generally used to separate complete thoughts or ideas. COMMAS are generally used to separate words or groups of words within a complete thought.

  3. Rule 14f. • Use commas to separate items in a series (pg. 336) • A series is a group of three or more items in a row. Words, phrases, or clauses may appear in a series, • EXAMPLES • January, February, and March are all summer months in the Southern Hemisphere. • Cut into pieces, aged for a year, and well dried, the wood was ready to burn. • We sang, we danced, and we played trivia games. • *Only SHORT independent clauses in a series may be separated by commas-long ones should be separated by semi-colons.*

  4. Commas (continued) • When all the items in the series are joined by and or or, do not use commas to separate them. • Examples- • Take water and food and matches with you. • Stephen will take a class in karate or judo or aikido next year.

  5. Quick Check • Quickly complete Exercise 3 on pg. 337 with you group. • Everyone should complete this exercise IN THEIR NOTES. • Follow the book directions & examples (no sentences.)

  6. Rule 14g. • Use commas to separate two or more adjectives that come before a noun (pg. 338) • EXAMPLES • A white dwarf is a tiny, white star. • Venus Williams played a wonderful, powerful game.

  7. Rule 14g (continued) • Do not place a comma between an adjective and the noun that follows it. • Examples • My spaniel is a fat, happy, puppy. WRONG • My spaniel is a fat, happy puppy. CORRECT • *If you are unsure as to whether or not to use a comma, try using the word “AND” where you would place a comma. If it sounds ok, use the comma. If it doesn’t fit, do not use the comma.

  8. Rule 14h. • Use a comma before for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so when it joins two independent clauses together to form a compound sentence (pg. 339-340) • Examples • Tamisha offered me a ticket, and I accepted. • They had been working very hard, but they didn’t seem especially tired.

  9. Rule 14h. (continued) • When independent clauses are very short and joined by AND, BUT, or OR, sometimes the comma is omitted. • Examples- • It rained and it rained. • Come with us or meet us there. • *ALWAYS USE A COMMA WITH FOR, NOR, YET, & SO WHEN JOINING INDEPENDENT CLAUSES. • I was tired, yet I stayed.

  10. Rule 14i. • Use commas to set off an expression that interrupts a sentence (pgs. 341-346) • Two commas are needed if the expression to be set off comes in the middle of the sentence. • EXAMPLES • Ann Myers, our neighbor, is a fine golfer. • Naturally, we expect to win. • My answer is correct, I think.

  11. Types of interrupters (14i) • 1. Nonessential phrases and clauses. • 2. Nonessential appositives & nonessential appositive phrases. • 3. Words that are used in a direct address. • Examples • 1. Paul, thrilled by the applause, took a bow. • 2. Jamaica, a popular island for tourists, is in the Caribbean sea. • 3. Ben, please answer the door bell.

  12. Interrupters (continued) • 4. Parenthetical expressions • A parenthetical expression is a side remark that adds information or shows the relationship between ideas. • EXAMPLE • Carl, on the contrary, prefers to play baseball. • To tell the truth, Jan is one of my best friends.

  13. Rule 14J. • Use a comma after certain introductory elements (pg. 347) • 1. Use a comma after yes, no, or any MILD exclamation such as well or why at the beginning of a sentence. • 2. Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase. • 3. Use a comma after two or more introductory prepositional phrases. • 4. Use a comma after an introductory adverb clause (signal words).

  14. Rule 14k. • Use commas in certain conventional situations. (pg. 348-349) • 1. Use commas to separate items in dates and addresses. • 2. Use a comma after the salutation of a personal letter and after the closing of a letter.

  15. Comma Usage Group Review • Review B, pg. 338-339. Write sentences & add commas. At the end of each sentence, write which RULE applies to your sentence. Some sentences may be correct. • Exercise 5 pgs. 342-343. Write sentences & add commas. At the end of each sentence, write which RULE applies to your sentence. Some sentences may be correct. • Exercise 7, pg. 344. Write sentences & add commas. At the end of each sentence, write which RULE applies to your sentence

  16. Comma Usage review (continued) • Review C, pg. 350. Write sentences & add commas. At the end of each sentence, write which RULE applies to your sentence (none correct). • Review D, pgs. 350-351. Write sentences & add commas. At the end of each sentence, write which RULE applies to your sentence (none correct).

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