7/24/2019 Commas Made Simple

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Commas Made Simple

Rule 1

Use a comma when a sentence begins with an extra idea (in bold print below):

Because my grandmother has a swimming pool,I have always enjoyedswimming.

If an extra idea appears at the back of the sentence, do not se a comma:

I have always enjoyed swimming because my grandmother has a swimmingpool. NO COMMA

!xtra ideas begin with sbordinate conjnctions (i, when, because, although) and

prepositions (in, by, or, with, to, o).

"tdy these examples, noting which sentences have commas and which do not:

Although ! en"oy swimming,I never learned how to water#ski.

I never learned how to water#ski although ! en"oy swimming. NO COMMA

#hen ! approached the house,I saw an elderly man peering ot the window.I saw an elderly man peering ot the window when ! approached the house.NO COMMA

$or most students, this rle is easy to learn.

$his rle is easy to learn or most students.

It%s easy to tell the difference between an extra idea and a sentence. & sentence begins

with a person, place, or thing.

I will move to 'ew ork i ! can get a good "ob in the computer ield . sentence extra idea

! ! can get a good "ob in the computer ield, I will move to 'ew ork.

extra idea sentence

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7/24/2019 Commas Made Simple

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Rule %

nly seven words in the !nglish langage can be sed with a comma to join two

sentences. $hese are the -&'" words: for, and, nor, bt, or, yet, so. $hey are also

called coordinate conjnctions.

Use a comma with a coordinate conjnction (a $ANBO&S word) when there/s a sentence

in front and in back. And and but are the most important coordinate conjnctions. "tdythese examples:

I enjoyed the movie, andI want to see it again.I enjoyed the movie and want to see it again. NO COMMA

$he storm raged but didn/t spoil or fn. NO COMMA

$he storm raged, butit didn/t spoil or fn.

Rule '

Use two commas with a 0"perman1 sentence.

art "impson, who oten ma(es rude remar(s to his parents,is not a good role

model for children.

"perman, disguised as Clar( )ent, fights a never ending battle for the&merican way.

Other *ips+

Ne-er se a comma directly atera sbordinate or coordinate conjnction. "tdy theexamples above to see where commas are placed.

#$he seven coordinate conjnctions (-&'" words) are the onlywords that can besed with a comma to join two sentences. Use periods with other words:

ill washed his car. *hen he waxed it.$he job I/m interested in pays well. *hereore, I expect a lot of competition.

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