Punctuation, Part 1

1
Punctuation, Part 1

• Basic Comma Applications

2
What Will You Learn?

• To separate items in a SERIES with commas
• To set off PARENTHETICAL words and phrases with
  commas
• To use commas in DIRECT ADDRESS
• To set off APPOSITIVES with commas
• To set off parts of DATES with commas
• To use commas with parts of ADDRESSES
• To use commas with CONJUNCTIONS
• To set off INTRODUCTORY phrases and clauses with
  commas

3
Comma, Series
Separate three or more equally ranked words, phrases, or short clauses with commas. Place a comma between each item and before the conjunction and, but, or nor.
words Please order stationery, envelopes, and laser printer paper.
phrases Ask the insurance agent to notify his client, obtain the necessary information, and process the papers before April 10.
short clauses Mr. Harris wrote the report, I edited it, and Chris prepared the final copy.
4
Comma, Parenthetical
Set off with commas any words that are unnecessary for the grammatical completeness of the sentence and that interrupt its natural flow. A partial listing of these parenthetical expressions is given below and on the following slide.
accordingly after all also as a matter of fact as a result in the meantime in other words indeed nevertheless no
5
Comma, Parenthetical
as a rule of course
consequently on the contrary
for example on the other hand
fortunately perhaps
furthermore secondly
hence therefore
however too
in addition under the circumstances
in fact without a doubt
in the first place yes
6
Comma, Parenthetical
beginning of a sentence In the meantime, we will hold your order until we hear from you.
middle of a sentence You may, however, wish to convert interest earnings to premiums for additional insurance coverage.
end of a sentence You may apply for a grant, of course.
no interruption Perhaps you would be able to share an office temporarily with one of our accountants.
7
Comma, Direct Address
Set off with commas nouns used in direct address. Capitalize only proper nouns.
beginning of a sentence Mr. Lee, will you be able to obtain additional copies of this report for our staff?
middle of a sentence We are pleased, Dr. James, that you will be a guest speaker at our annual convention.
end of a sentence I certainly agree with you, ladies and gentlemen.
8
Comma, Appositive
An appositive renames or explains the noun that appears directly before it. Set off with commas appositive expressions.
within a sentence We believe that our manager, John Goldman, will be promoted to vice president.
end of a sentence We feature Sinclair office furniture,the most popular line nationwide.
9
Comma, Appositive
When appositive expressions are needed to identify the nouns they rename or explain, omit the commas. Also, omit the commas with one-word appositives.
indicates which one My student Lauren Scott was offered a position with Field Enterprises.
one-word appositive When will your brother Erik be eligible for promotion?
10
Comma, Appositive
Another appositive form is a college degree that follows directly after the name of an individual. Set off the degree in commas.
degree abbreviated Karen Lawton, MD, is credited with having made the discovery.
degree written in full The invocation was delivered by The Reverend Donald L. Forbes, Doctor of Divinity.
11
Comma, Appositive
Abbreviations after company or individual names are another form of appositives. Use commas to set off these abbreviations.
after name of individual Please make your check payable to Brenda C. Ingram, CPA, to ensure payment credit for the preparation of your income tax return. Refer the patient to Michael Bennett, MD.
after name of company Club Travel, Ltd., made all the arrangements for our European tour.
12
Comma, Appositive
Omit the commas with Jr., Sr., and Roman numerals in the names of individuals unless an individual chooses to use them. Omit the commas with Inc. or Ltd. when the companies themselves do not use them.
omission of commas Please ask Robert L. Bailey Sr. to sign the contracts.
omission of comma We sent the order directly to Majestic Linens Inc.
13
Comma, Dates
Separate combinations of weekday, calendar date, and year with commas. No commas are used, however, with a calendar date expressed alone.
calendar date- no commas After April 1 all plant tours will be discontinued.
calendar date and year-commas After April 1, 2012, all plant tours will be discontinued.
weekday and calendar date-commas After Tuesday, April 1, all plant tours will be discontinued.
weekday, calendar date, year-commas After Tuesday, April 1, 2012, all plant tours will be discontinued.
14
Comma, Dates
Expressions of month and year are written without commas.
without commas In March 2012 our company will move its operations to Atlanta.
without commas Digital Discoveries' annual sales had peaked to more than 90 million by December 2011.
15
Comma, Addresses
Use commas to set off a state name following the name of a city.
within a sentence Will you visit the Portland, Oregon, branch before you return to Chicago?
end of a sentence All our dividend checks are issued from Dayton, Ohio.
16
Comma, Addresses
In the body of a document, spell out and separate with commas the parts of an address.
name and complete address We sent the contract to John Morgan, Plant Manager, Winston Furniture Manufacturing Company, 1853 Fountain Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30314-1101.
complete address only Mrs. Green's new address is 9653 Third Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43203-2034.
17
Comma, Coordinating Conjunction
When two complete independent thoughts are joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor), place a comma before the conjunction.
two independent clauses joined by and Three members of our Research Department have analyzed consumer demands, and they concluded there is no market for this product.
two independent clauses joined by but Our plant tours have been discon-tinued, but you may wish to show your class our film on developing and manufacturing robotic devices.
18
Comma, Coordinating Conjunction
no second independent clause-no comma Three members of our Research Department have analyzed consumer demands and concluded there is no market for this product. I believe that you will like the location and that the house will suit your needs perfectly.
19
Comma, Introductory Phrases and Clauses
A sentence appearing in normal order follows a subject-verb-object pattern. However, when a sentence is inverted, it contains an introductory phrase or clause.
normal order Ellen will take Mr. Smith's place for the next few months. Dr. Hoffman left early because you canceled your appointment.
inverted order For the next few months, Ellen will take Mr. Smith's place. Because you canceled your appointment, Dr. Hoffman left early.
20
Comma, Introductory Phrases and Clauses
Place a comma after an introductory expression that contains any verb form OR four or more words.
verb form attend If you attend the meeting, be sure to take notes for Mr. Todd.
verb formsee ing Seeing her chance for success, Ms. White accepted the assignment immediately.
verb form locate ing Upon locating the information, please forward it to our office.
21
Comma, Introductory Phrases and Clauses
verb form startle d Startled by the news, Mr. Kahn refused to make any prediction about future deliveries.
infinitiveto improve To improve our computer system, we hired a team of consultants.
introductory with four or more words At the last department meeting, two members were absent.
introductorywith fewer than four words During this week we expect to submit formal bids on these three contracts.
22
Comma, Introductory Phrases and Clauses
In some cases an introductory expression may be preceded by a clause. Disregard this clause in determining whether or not to place a comma after the introductory expression.
verb form We believe that if Mr. Martin accepts the position, he will move to Dallas in September.
no verb form-four or more words Ms. Rose explained that in view of the current situation, we will be forced to close operations in our Toledo plant.
no verb form-fewer than four words He indicated that after next month he would be able to accept additional responsibilities.
23
Comma, Introductory Phrases and Clauses
Occasionally the verb form in a short introductory expression may be understood. Place a comma after such introductory expressions.
verb form understood If (it is) necessary, call Mrs. Rollins for further instructions. Although (it is) short, this report contains all the information we need.
Template courtesy of PresentersUniversity.com,sponsored by InFocus Corporation.