THE COMMA When in doubt, leave it out!

1. THE COMMAWhen in doubt, leave it out!

2. Use #1: Lists • Series, list In order for your application to be complete, you must submit a resume, a statement of interest and two references from former employers. *note that a comma before the and is not necessary – it’s not wrong either.

3. Use #1: Lists • Series of adjectives (description words) – use when there is a natural pause. If ‘and’ works between adjectives, it probably uses a comma. He was a tall, distinguished man. Sara was a smart, motivated young woman. She was a little old lady.

4. Use #1: Lists • Use commas to separate items in a list or series, including lists of adjectives that describe a noun: Some types of toothed whales are dolphins, orcas, and sperm whales. These are some of Saul's favorite activities: reading, cycling, eating, and napping. Ernest Hemingway's sentences are terse, direct, and uncomplicated.

5. Commas in series: • There are many ways to clean a chimney. Today, people use shovels rods brushes and flashlights. In the 1800s, people brushed the chimney with evergreens rattled chains against the chimney walls or sent boys up the chimney. The boys were poor small and helpless. Their work was dirty dangerous and difficult. They could be hurt by falling bricks burnt by hot ashes or choked by soot. They were badly paid badly fed and badly treated. The boys’ master, the chimney sweep, had an easier life. People thought he brought luck, so they wanted to touch his brushes shake his hand or kiss him.

6. Commas in series: • There are many ways to clean a chimney. Today, people use shovels, rods, brushes,and flashlights. In the 1800s, people brushed the chimney with evergreens rattled chains against the chimney walls or sent boys up the chimney. The boys were poor small and helpless. Their work was dirty dangerous and difficult. They could be hurt by falling bricks burnt by hot ashes or choked by soot. They were badly paid badly fed and badly treated. The boys’ master, the chimney sweep, had an easier life. People thought he brought luck, so they wanted to touch his brushes shake his hand or kiss him.

7. Commas in series: • There are many ways to clean a chimney. Today, people use shovels, rods, brushes,and flashlights. In the 1800s, people brushed the chimney with evergreens,rattled chains against the chimney walls,or sent boys up the chimney. The boys were poor small and helpless. Their work was dirty dangerous and difficult. They could be hurt by falling bricks burnt by hot ashes or choked by soot. They were badly paid badly fed and badly treated. The boys’ master, the chimney sweep, had an easier life. People thought he brought luck, so they wanted to touch his brushes shake his hand or kiss him.

8. Commas in series: • There are many ways to clean a chimney. Today, people use shovels, rods, brushes,and flashlights. In the 1800s, people brushed the chimney with evergreens,rattled chains against the chimney walls,or sent boys up the chimney. The boys were poor, small,and helpless. Their work was dirty dangerous and difficult. They could be hurt by falling bricks burnt by hot ashes or choked by soot. They were badly paid badly fed and badly treated. The boys’ master, the chimney sweep, had an easier life. People thought he brought luck, so they wanted to touch his brushes shake his hand or kiss him.

9. Commas in series: • There are many ways to clean a chimney. Today, people use shovels, rods, brushes,and flashlights. In the 1800s, people brushed the chimney with evergreens,rattled chains against the chimney walls,or sent boys up the chimney. The boys were poor, small,and helpless. Their work was dirty, dangerous,and difficult. They could be hurt by falling bricks burnt by hot ashes or choked by soot. They were badly paid badly fed and badly treated. The boys’ master, the chimney sweep, had an easier life. People thought he brought luck, so they wanted to touch his brushes shake his hand or kiss him.

10. Commas in series: • There are many ways to clean a chimney. Today, people use shovels, rods, brushes,and flashlights. In the 1800s, people brushed the chimney with evergreens,rattled chains against the chimney walls,or sent boys up the chimney. The boys were poor, small,and helpless. Their work was dirty, dangerous,and difficult. They could be hurt by falling bricks,burnt by hot ashes,or choked by soot. They were badly paid badly fed and badly treated. The boys’ master, the chimney sweep, had an easier life. People thought he brought luck, so they wanted to touch his brushes shake his hand or kiss him.

11. Commas in series: • There are many ways to clean a chimney. Today, people use shovels, rods, brushes,and flashlights. In the 1800s, people brushed the chimney with evergreens,rattled chains against the chimney walls,or sent boys up the chimney. The boys were poor, small,and helpless. Their work was dirty, dangerous,and difficult. They could be hurt by falling bricks,burnt by hot ashes,or choked by soot. They were badly paid,badly fed,and badly treated. The boys’ master, the chimney sweep, had an easier life. People thought he brought luck, so they wanted to touch his brushes shake his hand or kiss him.

12. Commas in series: • There are many ways to clean a chimney. Today, people use shovels, rods, brushes,and flashlights. In the 1800s, people brushed the chimney with evergreens,rattled chains against the chimney walls,or sent boys up the chimney. The boys were poor, small,and helpless. Their work was dirty, dangerous,and difficult. They could be hurt by falling bricks,burnt by hot ashes,or choked by soot. They were badly paid,badly fed,and badly treated. The boys’ master, the chimney sweep, had an easier life. People thought he brought luck, so they wanted to touch his brushes shake his hand or kiss him.

13. Commas in series: • There are many ways to clean a chimney. Today, people use shovels, rods, brushes,and flashlights. In the 1800s, people brushed the chimney with evergreens,rattled chains against the chimney walls,or sent boys up the chimney. The boys were poor, small,and helpless. Their work was dirty, dangerous,and difficult. They could be hurt by falling bricks,burnt by hot ashes,or choked by soot. They were badly paid,badly fed,and badly treated. The boys’ master, the chimney sweep, had an easier life. People thought he brought luck, so they wanted to touch his brushes,shake his hand,or kiss him.

14. Use #2: Introductory Words, Phrases, and Clauses (Subordination) Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or dependent clause.

15. Subordination – Sentences with a dependent and independent clause • 1. main (independent) clause: one that can stand alone and express a complete thought • 2. subordinate (dependent) clause: one that depends on another element for its complete meaning

16. A main clause is a complete sentence; a subordinate clause, because it depends on something else, isn't--even though it has a subject and a verb. • 1. I sit in front of the fireplace. • 2. We go for a walk. • 3.The man put tarps on the floor. • 4. Sara decided to dye her hair blue. • These are all main clauses because the ideas are complete.

17. The following are all subordinate clauses. • 1. When it is cold. • 2. After the dishes are put away. • 3. Before painting the walls. • 4. Because she liked the color. • The ideas are incomplete. These “sentences” standing alone would be what are called fragments. • Think about it: if I come into the room and haven't spoken to you, you'll be a little puzzled if all I say is "When it is cold." You're going to be waiting for more information.

18. Some clue words that (at the beginning of a sentence) might indicate a dependent clause: • after, although, as, because, before, if, since, though, until, when, even though One way to put these examples together clearly and correctly is called subordination: When it is cold, I sit in front of the fireplace. or: I sit in front of the fireplace when it is cold.

19. After the dishes are put away, we go for a walk. or: We go for a walk after the dishes are put away.

20. Before painting the walls, the man put tarps on the floor. • or The man put tarps on the floor before painting the walls.

21. Because she liked the color, Sara decided to dye her hair blue. • or Sara decided to dye her hair blue because she liked the color. • Notice the punctuation. When a subordinate clause begins a sentence, always put a comma after it. If the subordinate clause comes after the main clause, you usually need no comma.

22. Don’t use a comma when the main clause comes before the dependent clause. • Incorrect: She was late for class, because her alarm clock was broken. • Incorrect: The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating.

23. Introductory elements Sometimes, it’s just one word: * Fortunately, no one in the bridal party was in that car. * Sadly, the old school was completely destroyed. Sometimes, it’s a phrase: * On the other hand, some people like eggplant. * Running for third base, Jane slipped and broke her ankle. * Once in awhile, a whole group of people imagines the same thing.

24. Some common introductory words & phrases: Also For instance For example Instead First Last Furthermore In addition However Otherwise Afterward In fact

25. Commas with subordination and introductory phrases: • In San Jose, California there is a house known as the Winchester Mystery House. After Sarah Winchester's husband died she inherited his fortune. Sadly the inheritance was not an unmixed blessing. Because the fortune came from the sales of the popular Winchester rifle she felt guilty. Afraid of being haunted by the ghosts of people killed with the rifle she built a house to protect herself. To fool the spirits who might be after her she built rooms with no doors. High up the walls of beautiful rooms windows look only into other rooms. At the top of grand staircases doors open onto walls. Because she believed that she would stay alive as long as the house was unfinished Mrs. Winchester kept adding on to it. When she died the house had 160 rooms, 200 doors and 10,000 windowpanes. Furthermore it had 47 fireplaces. Today you can visit the Winchester Mystery House and take a guided tour.

26. Commas with subordination and introductory phrases: • In San Jose, California,there is a house known as the Winchester Mystery House. After Sarah Winchester's husband died she inherited his fortune. Sadly the inheritance was not an unmixed blessing. Because the fortune came from the sales of the popular Winchester rifle she felt guilty. Afraid of being haunted by the ghosts of people killed with the rifle she built a house to protect herself. To fool the spirits who might be after her she built rooms with no doors. High up the walls of beautiful rooms windows look only into other rooms. At the top of grand staircases doors open onto walls. Because she believed that she would stay alive as long as the house was unfinished Mrs. Winchester kept adding on to it. When she died the house had 160 rooms, 200 doors and 10,000 windowpanes. Furthermore it had 47 fireplaces. Today you can visit the Winchester Mystery House and take a guided tour.

27. Commas with subordination and introductory phrases: • In San Jose, California,there is a house known as the Winchester Mystery House. After Sarah Winchester's husband died,she inherited his fortune. Sadly the inheritance was not an unmixed blessing. Because the fortune came from the sales of the popular Winchester rifle she felt guilty. Afraid of being haunted by the ghosts of people killed with the rifle she built a house to protect herself. To fool the spirits who might be after her she built rooms with no doors. High up the walls of beautiful rooms windows look only into other rooms. At the top of grand staircases doors open onto walls. Because she believed that she would stay alive as long as the house was unfinished Mrs. Winchester kept adding on to it. When she died the house had 160 rooms, 200 doors and 10,000 windowpanes. Furthermore it had 47 fireplaces. Today you can visit the Winchester Mystery House and take a guided tour.

28. Commas with subordination and introductory phrases: • In San Jose, California,there is a house known as the Winchester Mystery House. After Sarah Winchester's husband died,she inherited his fortune. Sadly,the inheritance was not an unmixed blessing. Because the fortune came from the sales of the popular Winchester rifle she felt guilty. Afraid of being haunted by the ghosts of people killed with the rifle she built a house to protect herself. To fool the spirits who might be after her she built rooms with no doors. High up the walls of beautiful rooms windows look only into other rooms. At the top of grand staircases doors open onto walls. Because she believed that she would stay alive as long as the house was unfinished Mrs. Winchester kept adding on to it. When she died the house had 160 rooms, 200 doors and 10,000 windowpanes. Furthermore it had 47 fireplaces. Today you can visit the Winchester Mystery House and take a guided tour.

29. Commas with subordination and introductory phrases: • In San Jose, California,there is a house known as the Winchester Mystery House. After Sarah Winchester's husband died,she inherited his fortune. Sadly,the inheritance was not an unmixed blessing. Because the fortune came from the sales of the popular Winchester rifle,she felt guilty. Afraid of being haunted by the ghosts of people killed with the rifle she built a house to protect herself. To fool the spirits who might be after her she built rooms with no doors. High up the walls of beautiful rooms windows look only into other rooms. At the top of grand staircases doors open onto walls. Because she believed that she would stay alive as long as the house was unfinished Mrs. Winchester kept adding on to it. When she died the house had 160 rooms, 200 doors and 10,000 windowpanes. Furthermore it had 47 fireplaces. Today you can visit the Winchester Mystery House and take a guided tour.

30. Commas with subordination and introductory phrases: • In San Jose, California,there is a house known as the Winchester Mystery House. After Sarah Winchester's husband died,she inherited his fortune. Sadly,the inheritance was not an unmixed blessing. Because the fortune came from the sales of the popular Winchester rifle,she felt guilty. Afraid of being haunted by the ghosts of people killed with the rifle,she built a house to protect herself. To fool the spirits who might be after her she built rooms with no doors. High up the walls of beautiful rooms windows look only into other rooms. At the top of grand staircases doors open onto walls. Because she believed that she would stay alive as long as the house was unfinished Mrs. Winchester kept adding on to it. When she died the house had 160 rooms, 200 doors and 10,000 windowpanes. Furthermore it had 47 fireplaces. Today you can visit the Winchester Mystery House and take a guided tour.

31. Commas with subordination and introductory phrases: • In San Jose, California,there is a house known as the Winchester Mystery House. After Sarah Winchester's husband died,she inherited his fortune. Sadly,the inheritance was not an unmixed blessing. Because the fortune came from the sales of the popular Winchester rifle,she felt guilty. Afraid of being haunted by the ghosts of people killed with the rifle,she built a house to protect herself. To fool the spirits who might be after her,she built rooms with no doors. High up the walls of beautiful rooms windows look only into other rooms. At the top of grand staircases doors open onto walls. Because she believed that she would stay alive as long as the house was unfinished Mrs. Winchester kept adding on to it. When she died the house had 160 rooms, 200 doors and 10,000 windowpanes. Furthermore it had 47 fireplaces. Today you can visit the Winchester Mystery House and take a guided tour.

32. Commas with subordination and introductory phrases: • In San Jose, California,there is a house known as the Winchester Mystery House. After Sarah Winchester's husband died,she inherited his fortune. Sadly,the inheritance was not an unmixed blessing. Because the fortune came from the sales of the popular Winchester rifle,she felt guilty. Afraid of being haunted by the ghosts of people killed with the rifle,she built a house to protect herself. To fool the spirits who might be after her,she built rooms with no doors. High up the walls of beautiful rooms,windows look only into other rooms. At the top of grand staircases doors open onto walls. Because she believed that she would stay alive as long as the house was unfinished Mrs. Winchester kept adding on to it. When she died the house had 160 rooms, 200 doors and 10,000 windowpanes. Furthermore it had 47 fireplaces. Today you can visit the Winchester Mystery House and take a guided tour.

33. Commas with subordination and introductory phrases: • In San Jose, California,there is a house known as the Winchester Mystery House. After Sarah Winchester's husband died,she inherited his fortune. Sadly,the inheritance was not an unmixed blessing. Because the fortune came from the sales of the popular Winchester rifle,she felt guilty. Afraid of being haunted by the ghosts of people killed with the rifle,she built a house to protect herself. To fool the spirits who might be after her,she built rooms with no doors. High up the walls of beautiful rooms,windows look only into other rooms. At the top of grand staircases,doors open onto walls. Because she believed that she would stay alive as long as the house was unfinished Mrs. Winchester kept adding on to it. When she died the house had 160 rooms, 200 doors and 10,000 windowpanes. Furthermore it had 47 fireplaces. Today you can visit the Winchester Mystery House and take a guided tour.

34. Commas with subordination and introductory phrases: • In San Jose, California,there is a house known as the Winchester Mystery House. After Sarah Winchester's husband died,she inherited his fortune. Sadly,the inheritance was not an unmixed blessing. Because the fortune came from the sales of the popular Winchester rifle,she felt guilty. Afraid of being haunted by the ghosts of people killed with the rifle,she built a house to protect herself. To fool the spirits who might be after her,she built rooms with no doors. High up the walls of beautiful rooms,windows look only into other rooms. At the top of grand staircases,doors open onto walls. Because she believed that she would stay alive as long as the house was unfinished,Mrs. Winchester kept adding on to it. When she died the house had 160 rooms, 200 doors and 10,000 windowpanes. Furthermore it had 47 fireplaces. Today you can visit the Winchester Mystery House and take a guided tour.

35. Commas with subordination and introductory phrases: • In San Jose, California,there is a house known as the Winchester Mystery House. After Sarah Winchester's husband died,she inherited his fortune. Sadly,the inheritance was not an unmixed blessing. Because the fortune came from the sales of the popular Winchester rifle,she felt guilty. Afraid of being haunted by the ghosts of people killed with the rifle,she built a house to protect herself. To fool the spirits who might be after her,she built rooms with no doors. High up the walls of beautiful rooms,windows look only into other rooms. At the top of grand staircases,doors open onto walls. Because she believed that she would stay alive as long as the house was unfinished,Mrs. Winchester kept adding on to it. When she died,the house had 160 rooms, 200 doors and 10,000 windowpanes. Furthermore it had 47 fireplaces. Today you can visit the Winchester Mystery House and take a guided tour.

36. Commas with subordination and introductory phrases: • In San Jose, California,there is a house known as the Winchester Mystery House. After Sarah Winchester's husband died,she inherited his fortune. Sadly,the inheritance was not an unmixed blessing. Because the fortune came from the sales of the popular Winchester rifle,she felt guilty. Afraid of being haunted by the ghosts of people killed with the rifle,she built a house to protect herself. To fool the spirits who might be after her,she built rooms with no doors. High up the walls of beautiful rooms,windows look only into other rooms. At the top of grand staircases,doors open onto walls. Because she believed that she would stay alive as long as the house was unfinished,Mrs. Winchester kept adding on to it. When she died,the house had 160 rooms, 200 doors and 10,000 windowpanes. Furthermore,it had 47 fireplaces. Today you can visit the Winchester Mystery House and take a guided tour.

37. Commas with subordination and introductory phrases: • In San Jose, California,there is a house known as the Winchester Mystery House. After Sarah Winchester's husband died,she inherited his fortune. Sadly,the inheritance was not an unmixed blessing. Because the fortune came from the sales of the popular Winchester rifle,she felt guilty. Afraid of being haunted by the ghosts of people killed with the rifle,she built a house to protect herself. To fool the spirits who might be after her,she built rooms with no doors. High up the walls of beautiful rooms,windows look only into other rooms. At the top of grand staircases,doors open onto walls. Because she believed that she would stay alive as long as the house was unfinished,Mrs. Winchester kept adding on to it. When she died,the house had 160 rooms, 200 doors and 10,000 windowpanes. Furthermore,it had 47 fireplaces. Today,you can visit the Winchester Mystery House and take a guided tour.

38. Use #3: Non-essential Words and Phrases (Interrupters) • Use commas to delineate words and phrases that are unnecessary to a reader's understanding of a sentence. The words and phrases often rename or tell more about the words they modify. • Carole King, a songwriter, helped pave the way for female musicians in the 1960s. • Desert Rose, a type of Franciscan dishware, is a popular seller at most antique malls.

39. Put commas before and after the name of a person, place, or thing named or addressed in a sentence: • My dog, Jerry, barks wildly when he hears the ice cream truck drive past our house. • How, Nurse Ratched, do you intend to explain this broken window?

40. Non-essential elements • If you leave out the clause, phrase, or word, does the sentence still make sense? Does the clause, phrase, or word interrupt the flow of words in the original sentence?

41. Non-essential elements • Fred, who often cheats, is just harming himself. • My niece, wearing a yellow jumpsuit, is playing in the living room. • Apples, which are my favorite fruit, are the main ingredient in this recipe. • Professor Benson, grinning from ear to ear, announced that the exam would be tomorrow. • Tom, the captain of the team, was injured in the game. • She was, however, too tired to make the trip. • Two hundred dollars, I think, is sufficient. • I’m going to two parties, Sara’s and then Rob’s.

42. Words of Direct Address • Mr. Sulu, go to Warp 5. • Beam me up, Scotty! • If it weren’t for you, Spock, there’d be no aliens aboard. • Fellow crewmembers, why do you think we have to wear these funny clothes?

43. Don't ever use a comma to separate the subject from the verb. • Incorrect: An eighteen-year old in California, is now considered an adult. • Incorrect: The most important attribute of a ball player, is quick reflex actions.

44. Commas with non-essential information: • My friends it is a little known fact that many famous people got their start in football. Eisenhower, Nixon and Ford three recent presidents played football in college. The young Nixon who was a reserve tackle sat on the bench most of the time. Ford a center at the University of Michigan even got pro offers from two teams the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions. Johnny Mack Brown a cowboy hero in the movies was an All-American halfback at the University of Alabama. “Whizzer” White a player with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Lions later became known as Byron White a Supreme Court justice. Kris Kristofferson the actor and country-western singer was right at home in Semi-Tough a movie about football. He had been while living in California a football star at Pomona College.

45. Commas with non-essential information: • My friends,it is a little known fact that many famous people got their start in football. Eisenhower, Nixon and Ford three recent presidents played football in college. The young Nixon who was a reserve tackle sat on the bench most of the time. Ford a center at the University of Michigan even got pro offers from two teams the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions. Johnny Mack Brown a cowboy hero in the movies was an All-American halfback at the University of Alabama. “Whizzer” White a player with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Lions later became known as Byron White a Supreme Court justice. Kris Kristofferson the actor and country-western singer was right at home in Semi-Tough a movie about football. He had been while living in California a football star at Pomona College.

46. Commas with non-essential information: • My friends,it is a little known fact that many famous people got their start in football. Eisenhower, Nixon and Ford,three recent presidents,played football in college. The young Nixon who was a reserve tackle sat on the bench most of the time. Ford a center at the University of Michigan even got pro offers from two teams the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions. Johnny Mack Brown a cowboy hero in the movies was an All-American halfback at the University of Alabama. “Whizzer” White a player with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Lions later became known as Byron White a Supreme Court justice. Kris Kristofferson the actor and country-western singer was right at home in Semi-Tough a movie about football. He had been while living in California a football star at Pomona College.

47. Commas with non-essential information: • My friends,it is a little known fact that many famous people got their start in football. Eisenhower, Nixon and Ford,three recent presidents,played football in college. The young Nixon,who was a reserve tackle,sat on the bench most of the time. Ford a center at the University of Michigan even got pro offers from two teams the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions. Johnny Mack Brown a cowboy hero in the movies was an All-American halfback at the University of Alabama. “Whizzer” White a player with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Lions later became known as Byron White a Supreme Court justice. Kris Kristofferson the actor and country-western singer was right at home in Semi-Tough a movie about football. He had been while living in California a football star at Pomona College.

48. Commas with non-essential information: • My friends,it is a little known fact that many famous people got their start in football. Eisenhower, Nixon and Ford,three recent presidents,played football in college. The young Nixon,who was a reserve tackle,sat on the bench most of the time. Ford,a center at the University of Michigan,even got pro offers from two teams,the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions. Johnny Mack Brown a cowboy hero in the movies was an All-American halfback at the University of Alabama. “Whizzer” White a player with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Lions later became known as Byron White a Supreme Court justice. Kris Kristofferson the actor and country-western singer was right at home in Semi-Tough a movie about football. He had been while living in California a football star at Pomona College.

49. Commas with non-essential information: • My friends,it is a little known fact that many famous people got their start in football. Eisenhower, Nixon and Ford,three recent presidents,played football in college. The young Nixon,who was a reserve tackle,sat on the bench most of the time. Ford,a center at the University of Michigan,even got pro offers from two teams,the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions. Johnny Mack Brown,a cowboy hero in the movies,was an All-American halfback at the University of Alabama. “Whizzer” White a player with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Lions later became known as Byron White a Supreme Court justice. Kris Kristofferson the actor and country-western singer was right at home in Semi-Tough a movie about football. He had been while living in California a football star at Pomona College.

50. Commas with non-essential information: • My friends,it is a little known fact that many famous people got their start in football. Eisenhower, Nixon and Ford,three recent presidents,played football in college. The young Nixon,who was a reserve tackle,sat on the bench most of the time. Ford,a center at the University of Michigan,even got pro offers from two teams,the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions. Johnny Mack Brown,a cowboy hero in the movies,was an All-American halfback at the University of Alabama. “Whizzer” White,a player with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Detroit Lions, later became known as Byron White,a Supreme Court justice. Kris Kristofferson the actor and country-western singer was right at home in Semi-Tough a movie about football. He had been while living in California a football star at Pomona College.