Intro to Commas

1
Intro to Commas

• Chapter 30, Scott, Foresman Handbook

2
Introductions

• Use commas after introductory phrases of 3 words
• To appreciate the pleasures of driving in snow,
  you have to live in Michigan or Wisconsin.
• Over the loud objections of my passengers, I
  turned off the main road.
• Use after introductory subordinate clauses
• Although the vote was close, we passed the
  motion.
• While the military band played taps, the flag was
  lowered.

3
Introduction Exercises

• Do these examples need commas?
• Next Monday well be in Arizona.
• Next Monday well be in Arizona.
• On your left you can see the Grand Canyon.
• On your left, you can see the Grand Canyon
• Despite your machinations our heroine vanquished
  her foe.
• Despite your machinations, our heroine vanquished
  her foe.

4
Ending Clauses

• Use a comma if the concluding subordinate clause
  is incidental or contrasting
• We will attend the judges lecture, which is
  scheduled to last half an hour.
• The restaurant was second-rate, though its prices
  were very steep.
• DO NOT use a comma if the concluding subordinate
  clause is closely related to the main idea of the
  sentence
• The flag was lowered while the military band
  played Taps.
• The police officers found the window broken when
  they arrived.

5
Ending Clause Exercises

• Insert commas where needed.
• We went to the movie although it received poor
  reviews.
• We went to the movie, although it received poor
  reviews.
• We went to the restaurant that Jack recommended.
• We went to the restaurant that Jack recommended.
• We went to France where everyone spoke English.
• We went to France, where everyone spoke English.

6
Conjunctive Adverbs Absolutes

• Use after conjunctive adverbs at the beginning of
  sentences or clauses
• Therefore, we took the long route.
• However, we found no bananas.
• Set off absolute phrases
• His head shaved, Martin was in the Marines now.
• The pioneers pressed on, their water supplies
  almost gone.

7
Exercises

• Nonetheless our hero forged ahead.
• Nonetheless, our hero forged ahead.
• Shorn of wool the sheep were cold.
• Shorn of wool, the sheep were cold.
• Consequently we went straight to sleep.
• Consequently, we went straight to sleep.
• We left the bazaar fleeced of all our money.
• We left the bazaar, fleeced of all our money.

8
Commas to Enhance Meaning

• Contrasts or transitions
• Owning a car is a necessity, not a luxury.
• Verb omissions
• Brad Pitt once worked as a giant chicken Rod
  Stewart, as a gravedigger Whoopi Goldberg, as a
  mortician.
• Clarity
• The motto of some critics seems to be that
  whatever is, is wrong.
• Conversational Expressions
• The dancers are full of themselves, arent they?

9
Exercises

• It isnt the Prime Minister but his
  Under-secretary who will address us.
• It isnt the Prime Minister, but his
  Under-secretary who will address us.
• Billie Holiday was called Lady Day Sarah
  Vaughn Sassy and Dinah Washington The Queen
  of the Blues.
• Billie Holiday was called Lady Day Sarah
  Vaughn, Sassy and Dinah Washington, The Queen
  of the Blues.
• Those who can do those who cant teach.
• Those who can, do those who cant, teach.

10
Non-Essential Modifiers

• Enclose in commas
• The chemistry building, which had been erected in
  1928, was scheduled for demolition.
• The chemistry building (which had been erected in
  1928) was scheduled for demolition.
• Diamonds that are synthetically produced are more
  perfect than natural diamonds
• Non-essential appositive phrases
• The Beatles song Yesterday remains one of the
  most popular tunes of all time.
• The Beatles final album, Let It Be, remains my
  favorite.

11
Non-essential Modifier Exercises

• The state capital which is on your left is made
  of Italian alabaster.
• The state capital, which is on your left, is made
  of Italian alabaster.
• The building that was recently re-roofed is the
  third on your left.
• The building that was recently re-roofed is the
  third on your left.
• The first man in space Yuri Gagarin was a
  Russian.
• The first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, was a
  Russian.
• The woman who lived in a shoe had so many
  children she didnt know what to do.
• The woman who lived in a shoe had so many
  children she didnt know what to do.

12
Linking Commas

• Use commas before (NOT AFTER) conjunctions that
  join independent clauses.
• Desert plants are fully adapted to their harsh
  environment, so they cant survive in more
  hospitable climates.
• Use them in lists of 3 items
• The tabloid failed to explain who had seen the
  aliens, where exactly they had landed, or why
  they had decided to visit New Orleans.

13
Linking Commas Exercises

• We packed drinks sandwiches and chips.
• We packed drinks, sandwiches , and chips.
• During the fire she ran to her childrens room
  grabbed the 2-year-old and the baby and picked up
  her photo album on her way out the door.
• During the fire she ran to her childrens room ,
  grabbed the 2-year-old and the baby , and picked
  up her photo album on her way out the door.
• The band played all our favorite songs and we
  stayed all night listening.
• The band played all our favorite songs , and we
  stayed all night listening.
• Dr. Golightly learned many languages but she
  never could grasp Japanese.
• Dr. Golightly learned many languages , but she
  never could grasp Japanese.

14
Coordinate Adjective v. Adjectivals

• Coordinate Adjectives
• Drew is a hapless, flustered, underappreciated
  manager.
• Mimi is a vindictive, sarcastic, and slightly
  frazzled secretary.
• Adjectivals
• The best supporting actor
• His customary good humor
• A long fly ball
• A large cardboard box

15
Adjectivals/Coordinate Adj.s and Commas

• The boss drove a red sports sedan.
• The boss drove a red sports sedan.
• We all sat down to a large Christmas dinner.
• We all sat down to a large Christmas dinner.
• We all sat down to a large cholesterol-laden
  dinner.
• We all sat down to a large, cholesterol-laden
  dinner.
• The boss drove a red gas-guzzling SUV.
• The boss drove a red , gas-guzzling SUV.

16
DONT USE COMMAS

• To separate a subject and a verb
• What happened to the team since last season,
  isnt clear
• To separate compound subjects, verbs, or objects
• Joe, and Fred went to the zoo.
• Joe jumped, and ran.
• Joe threw the ball, and the bat.
• To introduce a series
• States rich in natural beauty include, New York,
  Louisiana, California, and Oregon.

17
Correct any Comma misuses

• Ham, and eggs make a good breakfast.
• û
• Its funny that the big strong football player,
  is afraid of mice.
• û
• She bought earrings, a necklace, and a matching
  bracelet.
• ü
• He danced, and sang.
• û