UWF WRITING LAB RULES OF THUMB FOR COMMA

UWF WRITING LAB RULES OF THUMB FOR COMMA USAGE from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon NOTE: Comp I students are responsible for only the rules covered on the first two slides. Created by April Turner

USE A COMMA: § with a coordinating conjunction to connect two independent clauses. § Betty is the homecoming queen, and Bill is the king. § to separate introductory phrases, words, or clauses from the main part of the sentence. § After the Vietnam War ended, a number of veterans were hospitalized.

USE A COMMA: § to separate nonrestrictive clauses, phrases, and appositives from the rest of the sentence. § The scout leader, overweight and out of shape, trudged up the hill. § DO NOT set off restrictive information with commas. § Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn is on the censored list.

USE A COMMA: § to separate direct quotations from the phrase identifying the speaker. § John said, "The fishing is great in Bear Lake. “ § to separate the names of smaller geographic units from the names of larger units. § Denver, Colorado, is called the Mile High City.

USE A COMMA: § to separate items in a date. Omit the comma when just the month and year or month and day are given. § Kennedy was assassinated November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. § to separate names of titles or degrees that follow the name. § Harold Johnson, Ph. D. , will speak in the Commons on Tuesday.

USE A COMMA: § to separate short, tightly, interrelated clauses in a series. § John phoned, Mary stopped by, and Phil left a message. § to mark allowable omissions of repeated words, especially verbs. § Your analysis is superb; your execution, appalling.

USE A COMMA: § to provide clarity and prevent misreading, even if none of the other rules apply. § We left him, assured that he would fail. § (We were sure that he would fail. ) § We left him assured that he would fail. § (He was sure that he would fail. ) § to separate three or more items or phrases in a series. § Golfing, swimming, and bowling are my favorite activities.

USE A COMMA: § to separate a series of two or more adjectives not connected by a conjunction if the order of the adjectives can be reversed and still retain the same meaning. § Your friend is a clever, sensitive person. § to separate interrupters or parenthetical and transitional words from the rest of the sentence. § Most of them, however, do try to act friendly and courteous.

USE A COMMA: § to separate contradictory phrases from the rest of the sentence. § It was Betty, not Joan, who was elected queen of the prom. § to separate names used in direct address or other isolates such as yes, no, and thank you from the rest of the sentence. § Tell me, John, did you vote for Joan? § No, I am not voting for myself.

USE A COMMA: § to separate tag questions from the rest of the sentence. § You did that on purpose, didn't you? § to separate words and abbreviations that introduce an example or an illustration, including namely, that is, to wit, i. e. , e. g. , for example, and for instance. § Many of my friends, for example, Fred, Dean, and Pete, like to golf.

Questions and Answers § Does anyone have a question about the rules of comma usage? § PLEASE ASK!!!

LET’S PRACTICE!!! § I have told one million lies in my life and that is the Gospel truth. § …life, and that… § As a child I was the kind of kid my mother told me not to play with. § As a child, I was… § Denver which is the capital of Colorado has an altitude of one mile. § Denver, which is the capital of Colorado, has… § The city which is the capital of Colorado has an altitude of one mile. § No commas (restrictive)

LET’S PRACTICE A LITTLE MORE!!! § Linda asked “Do you think she’ll ever speak to him again? ” § Linda asked, “Do you… § Paxton Florida is the home of the mighty Bobcats. § Paxton, Florida, is the… § The No Child Left Behind Act was signed in on January 2 2002. § …January 2, 2002. § July 1990 is the date for the Progress “ 90” celebration. § No comma (2 items in the date)

LET’S KEEP GOING!!! § The commencement speaker was Juliet Brown Ph. D. § …Juliet Brown, Ph. D. § He shot pool he drank Anchor Steam beer and he rarely went home. § He shot pool, he drank Anchor Steam beer, and he rarely went home. § To the winners we give prizes; to the losers consolation; and to the spectators a good show. § …to the loser, consolation; and to the spectators, a good show.

ALMOST THERE!!! § The morning after a policeman came to the door. § The morning after, a policeman… § Jeff collected a change of clothing shoes and golf gear before he set off for the day. § …a change of clothing, shoes, and golf gear… § A large green bug settled on the torn autumn leaf. § A large, green bug…

WE’RE IN THE HOME STRETCH!!! § The order however was not filled that day. § The order, however, was not… § Pneumonia begins with a p not an n. § …with a p, not an n. § Thank you Susan. § Thank you, Susan.

LAST ONES!!! § You’re going aren’t you? § You’re going, aren’t you? § Many of my friends for example Rachel, Jennifer, and Allen, enjoy going to the movies. § Many of my friends, for example, Rachel, …