Comma Rules - Fischer

8/14/2019 Comma Rules - Fischer

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Comma Usage


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Objective

To learn how to use commasaccurately and effectively.


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Comma Concept #1: Series

Comma Concept 1a: SeriesList

Use commas to separatethree or more words,

phrases, or clauses in aseries.


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Examples of 1a

I read the articles, extracts,and books for my final exam.

Mexico had been ruled bythe Spanish, by the

Mexicans, and by the French.


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Examples of 1a

The bank filled quickly withpeople who transferred their

accounts, who cashed checks,and who opened safe-deposit

boxes.


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Try these:

The shirt came in small medium and large.

Please wash the dishes fold the laundry and

rake the leaves.

Im going to the movies with Angela VanessaMike and Sarah.

I dont like squash eggplant or zucchinibecause of their squishy textures.


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Answers:

The shirt came in small, medium, and large.

Please wash the dishes, fold the laundry, and

rake the leaves.

Im going to the movies with Angela, Vanessa,Mike, and Sarah.

I dont like squash, eggplant, or zucchinibecause of their squishy textures.


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Examples of 1b

Wild, beautiful scenery

Detailed, precise instructions


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What are adjectives of equalrank?

To determine if commas areneeded, ask yourself two

questions:1. Can you put the word and

between the adjectives andstill have the sentenceretain its exact meaning?


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The teacher left detailed

and precise instructions forthe substitute. Yes, this works!

The teacher left precise,detailed instructions for the

substitute. Yes, this works!


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If the answer to bothquestions is no, then no

comma is needed. This isConcept 1c.


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Comma Concept 1c: Series

AdjectiveThe No-No Rule

Do not use commas toseparate adjectives thatmust stay in a specific order.


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Examples of 1c

Rigid social classes

Few short hours


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How do I know if adjectives muststay in a specific order?

To determine if commas areneeded, ask yourself two

questions:1. Can you put the word and

between the adjectives andstill have the sentenceretain its exact meaning?


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2. Can you switch theadjectives and still have asentence that sounds

grammatically correct?If the answer to bothquestions is no, then NO, acomma is not needed toseparate the adjectives.


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Ancient Rome had rigid andsocial classes.

This does not work! Ancient Rome had social rigid

classes.

This does not work!

The adjectives must go in a

certain order, therefore, nocomma is needed. Rome had rigid social classes.


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Try these:

Plump healthy wife

Great raging river

New red sports car

Third mid-life crisis

Thick black hair

Lofty dignifiedwoman

Raging howling rivers

Loud whining voice Experienced subway

rider

Five tiny wafers


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Answers:

Plump, healthy wife

Great, raging river

New, red sports car

Third mid-life crisis

Thick, black hair

Lofty, dignifiedwoman

Raging, howling rivers

Loud, whining voice Experienced subway

rider

Five, tiny wafers


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Comma Concept #2:

Compound SentenceFANBOYSFor

AndNorButOrYet

So (but not so that)


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Comma Concept #2:

Compound Sentence Use a comma before a

coordinating conjunction(FANBOYS) to separate two

independent clauses in acompound sentence.


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Examples of Concept 2

We went to the store, andwe went to the movies.

We started to feelraindrops, so we went inside.

I am studying so (that) I cangraduate. *No comma needed

h


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Try these:Make a compound sentence by adding a comma

and a conjunction (FANBOYS)

He is studying psychology. He reallyenjoys it.

She doesnt like going to the gym. Shedoesnt like running.

George didnt want to see the movie. Hewent anyway.


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Answers:Make a compound sentence by adding a comma

and a conjunction (FANBOYS)

He is studying psychology, and he reallyenjoys it.

She doesnt like going to the gym, nordoes she like running.

George didnt want to see the movie,but he went anyway.


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More Practice:Commas in a series

I like red green and blue.

I have to walk the dog feed the fish andcook dinner.

The dinner he prepared included spicyIndian food rice bread and hot tea.


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More Practice:Yes-Yes / No-No Rule

big broken desk

large teacher desk

ugly bald puppies

three ugly puppies

summer theater troupe

snowy cold winter day


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W d li d i i


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Words listed in a series:

Rule #1a Exception

If the items have commas within them, thencommas are no longer enough to separate thoseitems; now youll need a semicolon to satisfy rule

2 I asked Mr. Hardy, the art teacher; Mrs.

Jefferson, the math teacher; and Ms. Gout, thecrazy lady in the cafeteria.

Use semicolons between the individual people or thiswill look like a list of six people, not three.


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Rule 3: Introductory Elements

Use a comma after an introductory phrase

or clause at the beginning of a sentence.

Separates unnecessary info from mainsentences

Introductory Words No, yes, thankfully,finally, however, well, oh, etc.

Examples:Thankfully, Joe studied hard.

No, I will not order the magazine from you.


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Rule 3: Introductory

Introductory phrases / clauses: How do

you know if the phrase / clause isunessential?

Check: Cover any part of the sentence w/

your finger. If the sentence no longermakes sense, then what youre covering isessential!

Examples: When World War II ended, shopping centers

became popular.

.


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Try these:Introductory Elements

Of course we can get that printed!

Because she likes cheese she moved toWisconsin.

Well I think we should ask for help.

At night in the desert the temperature

falls rapidly. To keep strong bones make sure to eat

calcium rich foods.

Rule #4: Interrupters


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Rule #4: Interrupters(aka parenthetical expressions)

Separate extra, non-essential material from the main

sentence that is interrupting the flow of the sentence.Like speed bumps you have to slow down for them, then youcan go back to normal speed afterwards.

These are the kinds of words, phrases etc. that couldbe put into parentheses

If item is removed, make sure you still have acomplete sentence.

Put a comma on either end of the interrupter, unless atthe beginning of the sentence.

T th


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Try these:Interrupters

Example: My jacket, Bob, is on the couch.Person you are talking to is not necessary to sentence.

That however is not my problem.

And my fingernails as a result are still sticky. It was my brother not me who painted the cat.

I went with my cousins even though I knew better

to play in the junkyard.

The car lost one wheel therefore it went into theditch.


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Rule #6: Essential/Non-essential Elements

1. When a noun or pronoun is followed immediately

by a description, you must ask if it is necessary orextra info.

- If it is ESSENTIAL, then you do NOT need commas

- If it is NOT ESSENTIAL, then you NEED commasCheck: Test if it is essential by taking the phrase out.

If the sentence makes sense, then the phrase isNOT essential.

1. No Comma- The car that is parked across the street isready.

2. Yes Comma My new car, which is parked across thestreet, is ready.

2.


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Rule #6: Essential/Non-essential Elements

2. If the noun/pronoun is fairly specific, thendescription is probably NOT essential.

3. If the noun/pronoun is fairly general, thenthe description is probably essential, and

no commas should be used.

a. The girl who is sitting near the windowlaughed at me.

b. Martha, who is sitting near the window,laughed at me.


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Try these1. My friend do you know how malls are

run?2. After World War II ended American

became obsessed with the shopping

center.3. Attracting businesses of all kinds the

shopping center industry is very

profitable.4. We will go Marge as soon as your father

arrives.


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Answers1. My friend, do you know how malls are

run?2. After World War II ended, American

became obsessed with the shopping

center.3. Attracting businesses of all kinds, the

shopping center industry is very

profitable.4. We will go, Marge, as soon as your

father arrives.


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Rule 7: Dates, Places, and Titles1. Date

a. After the day of the weekb. After datec. After year if sentence continuesd. Example: Monday, October 27, 2008

2. Geographical Namea. Between the city and a state

- Albuquerque, NM- Seattle, WA

b. Between the state and the rest of thesentence- Bothell, Washington, is the town that I grew

up in.


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Rule 7: cont.

3. Name with a Title

a. after the name, before the title

- John Smith, M.D.

b. after the title if the sentence continues

- John Smith, M.D., discussed safe ways

to lose weight

c. Other titles

- Sr., Inc., III, IV, etc.

R l 8 Mi ll


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Rule 8: Miscellaneous1. Address (if in a sentence)

a. after the street # and nameb. after the city

c. after the zip code if the sentence continues

Example: I used to live at 611 N. 50

th

St., Seattle,Washington, 98103.

2. Address on an Envelope

Ms. Fischer

611 N. 50th St.

Seattle, WA 98103


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Salutations/Closings, Numbers

Letters

Use comma after the salutation

Dear Mom, Dear Aunt Sally,

Use commas after the closing

Sincerely, Yours truly, Your friend,

Numbers

After every three numbers if more than 3

Example: 31, 654 envelopes, 1, 759, 234people in the country


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Quotes

Separate a direct quotation from the rest

of the sentence.

Examples:

The guest asked, Do you know of anynearby supermarkets that are open allnight?

If you dont mind a little drive, the hostsaid, you will find one about three milesdown the road.

T th


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Try these

1. In a few minutes laughed Julio youll

know the surprise.2. Dear Peter

3. John Briggs Jr. inherited his fathers

business.

4. In spring planting begins.

5. On June 20 1793 Eli Whitney applied fora patent for his cotton gin.

Ans ers


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Answers

1. In a few minutes, laughed Julio, youll

know the surprise.

2. Dear Peter,

3. John Briggs, Jr., inherited his fathers

business.

4. In spring, planting begins.

5. On June 20, 1793, Eli Whitney appliedfor a patent for his cotton gin.

R i E i


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Review Exercise1. Entry-level salaries at that factory are

$14000 a year.2. There are five houses on that street now

not that the two of you remember.

3. I shoveled snow all morning and now Iam tired.

4. What time is dinner Mom?

5. Dont you think Ellen that we need morepunch?

Cont


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Cont.

6. Jeremy a somewhat retiring person

surprised us all by winning the debate.7. In the south wing the guide continued

were the familys private living quarters.

8. Phils new address is 17026 Parker CourtDover Delaware 19901.

9. You must nevertheless do the

assignments.


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Homework

Write a letter to a friend of yours or an imaginaryfriend (12-15 sentences)

Address you are writing from (heading w/date)

Salutation and Closing

3 Sents. one sentence each for rules 1-3(compound sent, series, adjectives)

3 Sents. introductory material, parenthetical ornonessential expressions (any combo of the three)

3 examples of any of these comma uses: dates,geographic names, names with titles, directquotations, large numbers

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Comma Rules - Fischer