Wednesday, April 29, 2015 PREPARED BY ITH ESARA 1 COMMAS [, ]

Tuesday, April 18, 2023 PREPARED BY ITH ESARA 1

COMMAS [,]


The Uses and Non-uses of Commas

Points to remember

There are twelve ways to use a comma in an English sentence.

There are six ways of unnecessary to use a comma in an English sentence.


The Uses The Uses

Of Of

CommasCommas

PART ONE


The Uses of Commas

1) A comma is used before coordinating conjunction (FAN BOYS) in a compound sentence

E.g. George does not eat, nor does he drink.Moline loves Noreen, so he always

misses her


The Uses of Commas

2. A comma is used immediately after a dependent clause that comes first in a sentence.

E.g. Although the laptop is expensive, I have to buy it for my job.


The Uses of Commas

3. Commas are used to separate three or more items in a series.

E.g. I like playing football, watching TV, and reading books.


The Uses of Commas

4. A comma is used immediately after an introductory word or phrase from the rest of the sentence.

E.g. Yes, I’ll do as I am told.

Having been studying at HRU, I feel proud of myself.


The Uses of Commas

5. A comma is used to separate coordinate adjective – the two or more adjectives that have the same qualities or types.

E.g. The lovely, pretty girl has sweet voice.

[means the lovely and pretty girl]


The Uses of Commas

6. A comma is used immediately after a transition (conjunctive adverb) from the clause that the transition modifies.

E.g. Moreover, noise is a mental pollution.

Finally, people may be sick of noise


The Uses of Commas

7. A comma is used immediately after an introductory clause of a quotation or inside the quotation if the quotation comes first.

E.g. She said, “I don’t know.”

“You are an idiot,” she cursed.


The Uses of Commas

8. A comma or commas are used to separate dates, place names or address, and long number

E.g. Friday, July 21, 2006

US$ 1,000,000My address is No. 72 H, st 271,

Sangkat Toek Laak 3, Khan Tuol Kok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.


The Uses of Commas

9. Commas are used to separate the parenthetical expression from the rest of the clause it modifies

E.g. HRU, I think, is the best university.

Cambodian people, I hope, will have good living in the future by our leaders.


The Uses of Commas

10. Commas are used to separate the non-restrictive phrase or clauses from the main clause.

E.g. Sorn Vun, who is my best friend, is very talented in teaching.Arnold, the actor in most American

films, is very intelligent.Our teacher, wearing blue shirt, carries

heavy bag.


The Uses of Commas

11. Commas are used to separate phrases expressing contrast.

E.g. Maria’s family, usually faced bad luck, has a good living now.

Economic Growth, not growing up, helps by foreign aids.

Parents’ marriage arrangement, not usually giving real happiness to their children, is generally carried out.


The Uses of Commas

12. A comma is used after opening or closing words or phrases of a formal letter.

E.g. Open: Dear Sir or Madam,

close: Your sincerely,


The Non-Uses The Non-Uses

Of Of

CommasCommas

PART TWO


The Non-Uses of Commas

1. Commas are not used between subject and verb, verb and complement, or adjective and the word the adjective modifies.

E.g. We, study English. (wrong)We study English. (correct)There is an ugly, man. (wrong)There is an ugly man (correct)I have, a car. (wrong)I have a car. (correct)



2. Commas are not used to separate only two items in compound such as subjects, verbs, complements, …

E.g. I wash the clothes, and clean the house on weekends. (wrong)

I wash the clothes and clean the house on weekends. (correct)



3. Commas are not used after question marks (?), Exclamation point (!), Dash () or before an opening parenthesis.

E.g. “What do you mean?,” he asked. (wrong)

“What do you mean?” he asked. (correct)‘Oh dear!,’ he exclaimed. (wrong)‘Oh dear!’ he exclaimed. (correct)The method, (how to cook) is copied right. (wrong)The method (how to cook) is copied right. (correct)



4. A comma is not used when it joins two dependent clauses.

E.g. What you say, and what you do are different. (wrong)What you say and what you do are

different. (correct)



5. Commas are not used to separate the restrictive phrase or clauses.

E.g. A man, who she loves, is handsome. (wrong)A man who she loves is handsome.

(correct)



6. Commas are not used after than, like, and such as.

E.g. I have some stories to tell you such as, folktales, novel, etc. (wrong)

I have some stories to tell you such as folk tales, novel, etc. (correct)


End of Unit 13End of Unit 13Thank you!Thank you!

Documents

Wednesday, April 29, 2015 PREPARED BY ITH ESARA 1 COMMAS [, ]