DIRECT ADDRESSDirect addresses – when you use the directly name of the

person to whom you’re talking

Jim, did you see that movie?Mr. H, I think I like your tie.

Yes, Jack, I will marry you.I think, Mr. H, that I like your tie.

Please be quiet, jerk. I think I like your tie, Mr. H.

INTRO WORDS, PHRASES, CLAUSES

INTRO WORDS that don’t fit with the rest of the sentence; some of these include adverbial conjunctions, mild interjections, and sequence words.

Oh no, I forgot to wear underwear! Coincidentally, I did yesterday as well.First, take a left at the Wawa; however, be careful because there are two Wawa stores nearby.Yes, I would love to go on a date to McDonald’s with you.

INTRO WORDS, PHRASES, CLAUSES

INTRO PHRASES that are longer, technically breaking sentence structure.

A moldy jar of mayo sat in the back of the refrigerator.In the back of the refrigerator, a moldy jar of mayo sat.

INTRO DC’s to separate them from the IC as you break sentence structure

Your teeth may rot if you eat a lot of candy and never floss or brush your teeth.If you eat a lot of candy and never floss or brush your teeth, your teeth may rot.

Essential Phrases and Clauses• An essential clause or phrase is used to

modify a noun.• It also adds information that is critical to the

meaning of the sentence.• It does not break or interrupt the sentence

because it’s part of the main IC.• Essential clauses are not set off by commas.

Nonessential Phrases & Clauses

• A nonessential phrase or clause adds “extra” information to a sentence.

• This information can be eliminated from the sentence without jeopardizing the meaning of the sentence.

• Because it’s extra, it often breaks or interrupts the sentence structure of the main IC.

• Always place commas around nonessential phrases and clauses.

ESSENTIAL VS. NONESSENTIAL

S essential phrase VThe people who work in my office are loud.

S non-essential V My brother who lives across town plans to

throw a party.

A couple more notes***These are often referred to as non-essential because they do not hold the

meaning that the sentence is trying to convey and may not quite fit with the rest of the sentence and/or break sentence structure

INTRO PHRASES/CLAUSESSoothed by the music, she fell asleep. (participial phrase)Packing hurriedly, Tommy forgot his toothbrush (participial phrase)

INTERRUPTING PHRASES/CLAUSESLamont, the kid who drives the pink car, walked to school. (appositive)Five times five, I believe, is twenty-five. (parenthetical/interjectory)Sam thought, though he was nervous, they’d win. (dependent clause)Andrea, leaping high in the air, caught the softball (participial phrase)

ENDING PHRASES/CLAUSESI love cookies, the kind with both raisins and nuts. (appositive)I want it now, by the way. (parenthetical/interjectory)He looked exhausted, throwing 100 pitches (participial phrase)

A couple more notes• The word “that” is almost always an indicator of an

essential phrase or clause.

S essential VThe pizza that I had at Joe’s was great.

• Be careful with “the stuff at end”, as most phrases and clauses that end sentences use transitional words that DO NOT break sentence structure thus DO NOT require commas.

Ex. I gave Joey a piece of gum because he ate onions for lunch,

making his breath rancid.