Comma Rule 2 After Introductory PhrasesClauses Add this

Comma Rule #2 After Introductory Phrases/Clauses

Add this to last week’s notes Comma Rule #1 • You DO use a comma before FANBOYS conjunctions • You DON’T use a comma before the subordinating conjunctions. • AAAWWUBBIS (Although, after, as, while, when, until, before, because, if, since) • There’s more but these are the most common

Grammar Notes Comma Rule #2: Place a Comma After Introductory Phrases/Clauses Rule: Incomplete, complete = OK! (Complete, complete = still wrong; incomplete, incomplete = wrong) Introductory phrase=group of words that INTRODUCES the main sentence/complete thought. Usually +3 words. Main sentence phrase E. g. Introductory COMPLETE thought INCOMPLETE thought When he was a young warthog, Pumbaa was lonely.

Strategy for punctuating an intro phrase: 1. Add a comma. 2. Underline what’s right of the comma. Read and label if it’s complete or incomplete. 3. Underline what’s left. Read and label if it’s complete or incomplete. 4. If you have “incomplete , complete, ” stop. The comma is correct. YAY! 5. If not, start over. Example: Although scientists know hiccups occur they don’t know why.

Examples 1. Over a month ago school began. 2. Bright-eyed and bushy tailed we eagerly returned. 3. After five weeks we feel our energy start to flag. 4. Quite rapidly and astutely the scholars at CHS have adjusted to their classes and teachers. 5. Studying and carefully preparing some are already thinking about being top ten percent. 6. Because we are all sleep deprived at this point I propose we invent a new holiday. (Yes, you can start a sentence with “because”) 7. Since hard work means sacrifice we know we should carry on.

Comma Rules 3/4 CR #3: Use a comma after each item (except the last) in a series/list. , • To learn is to cry sweat , , bleed and succeed. • All items in a list need to be similar. • Bad example: I like cooking, baking, and to eat. CR #4: Use a comma to separate two equal adjectives: , • My intelligent kind brother is my best friend. • If you can switch the adjs, then put a comma between them. • E. g. you CAN say “My kind, intelligent brother” • Three yellow balloons floated by. • If you CAN’T switch the adjs, then no comma. • E. g. , you CAN’T say “Yellow three balloons”

Exercises • Complete pages 9 -12 in pairs. • On pages 9 -10, you’re looking for CR #3 and #4. • Insert commas where needed. • On pages 11 -12, you’re looking for CR #2 • Do the “incomplete, complete” test. Underline and label each side of the comma as either complete or incomplete. It will help you!

Intro phrase triggers Technically, you can identify an intro phrase because it • Gives introductory info like when, where, why, how • Adverbs, prepositional phrases • Gives introductory info about a noun • -ed or –ing phrases • Sometimes uses a subordinating conjunction (non-FANBOYS) • AAAWWUBBIS: • Although, after, as, when, while, until, before, because, if, since • Is usually lengthy ( 4+ words)