Cooperative Online Writing Lab

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Cooperative Online Writing Lab
Overcoming the Comma
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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What is a Comma
?

• ,

A comma is a punctuation mark that indicates a
pause is needed in a sentence.
Commas help to clarify meaning to a reader.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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Where do you use a comma?
Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and,
but, nor, for, yet, so) to separate two
independent clauses.
The television program was dull, but the
commercials were entertaining.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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How to Remember Coordinating Conjunctions

• To remember the seven coordinating conjunctions,
  think of the phrase fan boys

for
and
nor
but
or
yet
so
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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Other Uses for Commas

• Use a comma to set off introductory elements.
• Anxious about the upcoming winter, settlers began
  to bicker among themselves about supplies.
• Use a comma to set off the elements of a series
  (three or more things), including the last two.
• My favorite uses of the Internet are sending
  e-mail, surfing the Web, and using chat rooms.

Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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Even More Uses for Commas

• Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives.
• Coaches grew weary of running practices in the
  drafty, dreary, run-down gym.
• Use a comma to set off elements that express a
  contrast or a turn in a sentence.
• The house was cute, but too expensive for the
  newlyweds.

Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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Common Error Comma Splice
A comma splice is an error in which two
independent clauses are joined by a comma.
We had a nice time, I hope we can meet again
soon. The Internet has revolutionized the
business world, online sales have increased
dramatically this year.
WRONG!
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To Correct A Comma Splice

• Insert a conjunction between the two independent
  clauses.
• Start a new sentence.
• Insert a semi-colon between the two independent
  clauses (only in cases where the independent
  clauses are closely related in topic).
• We had a nice time, and I hope we can meet again
  soon.
• We had a nice time. I hope we can meet again
  soon.
• The Internet has revolutionized the business
  world online sales have increased dramatically
  this year.

Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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Unnecessary Commas

• Dont separate a subject from its verb
• The eighteen-year-old in most states, is now
  considered an adult.
• Dont put a comma between two verbs
• We laid out our music and snacks, and began to
  study.
• Dont put a comma in front of every and or but.
• We decided that we should not lend her the money,
  and that we should explain our decision.

Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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Its Your Turn!Correct the following sentences
This semester I am taking calculus physics and
economics.
This semester I am taking calculus, physics, and
economics.
Calculus is my best subject, I am certain I will
get an A.
Calculus is my best subject, and I am certain I
will get an A.
Although I am very busy I still find time to have
fun.
Although I am very busy, I still find time to
have fun.
Last weekend my brother visited me and we went to
a football game a party and a rock concert.
Last weekend my brother visited me, and we went
to a football game, a party, and a rock concert.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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More Practice Would you place commas in these
sentences?
The place that I would most like to see is the
Eiffel Tower.
No comma is needed. The sentence is correct.
Pierre who is one of my business contacts will
meet me at the airport.
Pierre, who is one of my business contacts, will
meet me at the airport.
I am planning a trip to Paris which is one of the
greatest cities in the world.
I am planning a trip to Paris, which is one of
the greatest cities in the world.
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Now you can Overcome the Comma!
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Need More Assistance?

• Stop by the Writing Center

Come back to COWL again and again!
or
We Mooove fast to help you!
Bluefield College COWL, 2005