COMMA RULES Commas control meaning Learn the comma

COMMA RULES Commas control meaning. Learn the comma rules; control meaning. DR. ELAINE KROMHOUT, INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 1

COMMA RULE ONE Set off the year from the month and day in a date. n Examples: n On November 5, 1997, the American voters go to the polls. Judy signed the contract on July 26, 1992, a day she will always remember. NOTE: Always place a comma AFTER the year as well as before it. DR. ELAINE KROMHOUT, INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 2

COMMA RULE TWO n n Separate a state’s Examples: name from that of Jose hailed from the city with a Topeka, Kansas, not comma. from Mexico as many of Note: Always place a his friends thought! comma AFTER the Boston, Massachusetts, state’s name as well is more famous for its as before it. cheesecake that for its beans. DR. ELAINE KROMHOUT, INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 3

COMMA RULE THREE Set off three or more items in a list. Note: Always place a comma BEFORE the coordinator (and, but, or). Examples: John, Sara, and Bill came. Trini cycled, swam, and ran. n DR. ELAINE KROMHOUT, INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 4

COMMA RULE FOUR Set off the salutation of a letter. n Examples: My dear Mr. . Smith, Members of the committee, n Note: Capitalize only the first word any proper nouns in a salutation. n DR. ELAINE KROMHOUT, INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 5

COMMA RULE FIVE n n n Set off the closing of a letter. Examples: Very truly yours, As ever, your friend, NOTE: Capitalize only the first word of a closing. DR. ELAINE KROMHOUT, INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 6

COMMA RULE SIX Set off direct address. n NOTE: n Examples: Leaving out the commas can have I think, Mary, that we unexpected effect: should head home. I’m sorry Mr. Gomez. We’re sorry, Mr. . Gomez. (I wouldn’t say that about myself. Would you? ) n DR. ELAINE KROMHOUT, INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 7

COMMA RULE SEVEN Set off any introductory word or phrase, no matter how short. Examples: After school, Mitzy performs in public. Happily, the annoying noise ended. In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. DR. ELAINE KROMHOUT, INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 8

COMMA RULE EIGHT NOTE: An appositive is n Set off an appositive, a word or phrase which a word or phrase offers information which renames or which is interesting but clarifies a noun. NOT necessary It is n Example: NON-RESTRICTIVE Sophie, the lady with (We do not need to hear ten cats, bought a about the cats to learn new truck. that Sophie bought a new vehicle!) n DR. ELAINE KROMHOUT, INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 9

COMMA RULE NINE Set off words or phrases which interrupt the flow of the sentence. n Example: The truth, however, was hard to discover. Otis decided, in fact, to leave school. n NOTE: Avoid placing a sentence within a sentence. n Wrong: The tax papers were, I think, mailed on April 12. n Right: I think that the tax papers were mailed April 12. DR. ELAINE KROMHOUT, INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 10

COMMA RULE TEN Set off non-restrictive elements, clauses and phrases which offer information which is interesting but not necessary to the meaning of the sentence (an appositive is a special form of nonrestrictive element; see Comma Rule Eight). n Example: The manager, who has six children, changed the work schedule. n DR. ELAINE KROMHOUT, INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 11

COMMA RULE ELEVEN n Set off ALL introductory, subordinate clauses. Examples: When the storm hit, the power failed. Although he felt ill, he took the test. NOTES: 1. every clause has a verb. 2. every subordinate clause has a subordination conjunction or relative pronoun which prevents it from being a whole thought (sentence) on its own. DR. ELAINE KROMHOUT, INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 12

COMMA RULE TWELVE n Cojoin sentences with a comma and one of the coordinators (FANBOYS). Examples: Anna ate, for she was hungry. Harry will sing, and he will dance. Sonny needs no help, nor will he ask for any. Hank has the paint to finish, but he has no time Enos will carry the lead banner, or he will film the event. Most of the group received invitations, yet few will come. Everyone wanted the principal to resign, so she did. n DR. ELAINE KROMHOUT, INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 13