Commas and Semicolons

Commas and Semicolons

Commas with Non-Essentials A Non-essential (non-restrictive) clause or phrasecontains info that isn’t needed to understand the main idea of the sentence. Non essentials are set off by commas. • Lydia Cabrera, who was born in Cuba, wrote many books about African-Cuban culture. Lydia Cabrera wrote many books about African-Cuban culture.

Commas with Non-Essentials • Lee rephrased the question. Lee, noticing my confusion, rephrased the question. • Did the Senate hearings have a large viewing audience? Did the Senate hearings, which were televised, have a large viewing audience?

Commas with Non-Essentials An essential (restrictive) clause or phrasecontains info that is needed to clearly understand the main idea of the sentence. These are NOT set off by commas • The students who won the electionwere called to the office. • Those participating in the blood driveshould eat a good breakfast. • Material that is quoted verbatimmust be cited in a Works Consulted page.

Essentials vs. Non-Essentials Think of essentials as “need to know” info; Non-essentials include “nice to know” info. My brother Mike lives in Seven Pines. essential - if I have multiple brothers, then I need to know which one My brother, Mike, lives in Seven Pines. non-essential – if I only have one brother, his name isn’t needed

That vs. Which • That is used when essential information is included in a sentence: • The side of the house that faces north needs to be painted. (The side of the house is essential.) • That phrases are NOT set off with commas • Which is used with non-essential or extra information is presented in the sentence. • The front of the house, which faces south, needs to be painted. • Which phrases ARE set off with commas.

Dan’s car that is parked on the street has a flat tire. (which of Dan’s cars?) Dan’s red car, which is parked in the garage, has a flat tire. (We know which car – the red one.) The computer that I take with me when travelling is very light. My new computer, which I take with me when travelling, is really easy to use. The master bedroom, which is on the first floor, has several windows. The bedroom that is on the first floor has many windows.

Practice with Non-Essentials The White River Bridge which closed today for resurfacing will reopen in the fall. The White River Bridge, which closed today for resurfacing, will reopen in the fall. Non-essential: time/reason for closing not important The symphony that Beethoven called Eroica was composed to celebrate the memory of a specific person. The symphony that Beethoven called Eroica was composed to celebrate the memory of a specific person. Essential: need to know what symphony.

Practice with Non-Essentials The driver sitting on the side of the road had a flat tire. The driver sitting on the side of the road had a flat tire. essential: which driver of many? My car which is seven years old often doesn’t start on cold mornings. My car, which is seven years old, often doesn’t start on cold mornings. non-essential: age of the car doesn’t matter

Essentials Comma Practice , , • The dance which was on Friday was well attended. • Highways that have eight lanes are built for speed and safety. • The girl who is in the red sweater is our club president. • Mrs. Jones trying not to smile offered to help us with our stage make-up. • Their youngest daughter loved by everyone is actually not spoiled at all. • Every child enrolling in school for the first time must fill out medical forms. , , , , End Commas Day 1

Commas in a Series • A series is a group of 3 or more items. • Use a comma to separate items, including before and, to ensure clarity. • Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate were available. • We elected our class officers: president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. (3 or 4 officers?) • We elected our class officers: president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.

Commas in Series • If all items are joined by and/or, do not use commas • I bought a tie and a shirt and a hat. • Sam or Sally or Tom will call you. • Independent clauses (subject-verb groups) are usually joined by semi-colons, but if they are very short, commas are acceptable • The wind blew furiously through the trees; lightning flashed across the sky; thunder boomed and rolled; rain poured down. • The wind blew, lightning flashed, thunder boomed, and rain poured down.

Consecutive Adjectives • Use a comma to separate two consecutive adjectives describing the same noun. • That is a rough, narrow, dangerous road. • An arrogant, talkative announcer annoys me.

Comma Practice – other rules , , , • My favorite cousins are Bonnie Steph Billy Joe Calvin and Jim. • George Washington Carver derived from the peanut items such as ink coffee beauty cream and pigments. • She lowered her long curled dark eyelashes. • It was an unusual attractive floor lamp. • A wise monkey is supposed to see no evil hear no evil and speak no evil. • On the surface of the mountain are round deep craters and steep rugged mountains. , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Introductory Elements • Use a comma after “extra” words such as well, yes, no, why, etc. when they begin a sentence • No, I have not forgotten. • Well, you could have gotten the homework from teacherweb.

Introductory Elements • Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase • Participial phrase = description starting with an –ed or –ing word. • Pausing for a moment in the doorway, the mom waved to her son. • Frightened by the noise, the pigeons flew from the roof. Note that the phrase precedes the word it describes.

Introductory Elements • Use a comma after 2 or more prepositional phrases. • Near the gate at the end of the lane, Jenny set up her lemonade stand. • Use a comma with one prep phrase as needed for clarity. • In this state taxes are comparatively low. • In this state, taxes are comparatively low

Interrupting Elements • Use a comma to separate interrupters or parentheticals: • He, of course, won’t be there. • Everyone, even his enemies, respects him. • To tell the truth, I don’t really like that show. • Use a comma for direct address: • Mrs. B-T, may I go to my locker? • That question, Jeff, was already answered. • Let’s go eat, Grandma. End here 3/12

More Practice

CLAUSES • CLAUSE – a word group that contains a verb and its subject and is used as part of a sentence • INDEPENDENT CLAUSE – contains a subject & a verb and a complete thought. This means it can stand alone as a sentence. • The bell rings to start class every day at school. • He stood straight and tall with confidence on the day of his competition.

CLAUSES SIMPLE SENTENCE – contains one independent clause. Mrs. B-Tloves her job most of the time. I want to see Sweeney Todd next week but don’t have a babysitter. (1 clause – 1 subject) John and Iwant to see a movie and go to dinner. (1 clause – compound subject and compound verb)

CLAUSES – Compound Sentence COMPOUND SENTENCE – contains two or more independent clauses Iwant to see Sweeney Todd, but Ihave to find a babysitter first. I want to see Sweeney Todd but have to find a babysitter first. (only 1 subject=1 clause)

Forming Compound Sentences Coordinating Conjunctions – used to connect independent clauses For And Nor But Or Yet So S + V , CC S + V

Compound Sentences The freshmen are reading Jekyll & Hyde. The juniors are starting The Great Gatsby. The freshmen are readingJekyll & Hyde, and the juniors are startingThe Great Gatsby. Josh and Parker look a lot alike. Parker wears glasses. Josh and Parker look a lot alike, butParker wears glasses.

Compound Sentences I’m going to work at the library this weekend. I need more evidence for my argument paper. I’m going to work at the library this weekend, forI need more evidence for my argument paper. I need more evidence for my argument paper, soI’m going to work at the library this weekend.

Compound Sentences Josh didn’t do his homework. The boys didn’t pick up their rooms. They may not watch tv. The boys didn’t pick up their rooms, nordid Josh do his homework. Josh must do his homework, orhe may not watchtv. The boys didn’t pick up their rooms, nordid Josh do his homework, sothey may not watchtv. End 3/28

Semi-Colon in Compound Sentences Another option to combine 2 independent clauses is the semi-colon. Use a semi-colon WITHOUT one of the FANBOYS The musical begins at 7:30 on Friday; we will meet for dinner at 5:30.

Semi-Colons • Sometimes you may want to add a transition word with you semi-colon. • Sally does great with her homework and class discussions; however, she has trouble with tests. • I made other plans for Friday night; anyway, I’ve already seen that movie. • I made other plans for Friday night; I’ve already seen that movie anyway. • You decide if you need a comma after the transition word depending on if you hear a pause. End 3/28

Complex Sentences COMPLEX SENTENCE – contains an independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. The subordinate clause is made less important (dependent) with the use of a subordinate conjunction.

Complex Sentences I got a 3.0 first semester. I was invited to the PNH dessert bar. Because I got a 3.0 first semester, I was invited to the PNH dessert bar. I was invited to the PNH dessert bar because I got a 3.0 first semester.

Subordinate Conjunctions Punctuation rules: SCS + V , S + V. If the subordinate clause precedes the independent clause, a comma is needed between the clauses. S + VSCS + V. You add no punctuation when the subordinate clause follows the independent clause.

Subordinate ConjunctionsNOTE that this list is NOT exhaustive. • For cause & effect  • Because • Since • For intention  • In order that • So that • For condition  • Although • As if • As though • Even though • If • Unless

For location  Where wherever Subordinate ConjunctionsNOTE that this list is NOT exhaustive. For time relation  • As • While • As soon as • When • Before • Until • Whenever • After • Since

Sample Sentences The curtain call began. The audience broke into applause. As soon as the curtain fell, the audience broke into applause. The audience broke into applause when the curtain fell. REMINDER: EITHER a subordinate conjunction OR a comma will go between the clauses – but not both!

Sample Sentences Sam is happy to babysit for the Smith kids. Mrs. Smith always has a full fridge. Since Mrs. Smith always a has a full fridge, Sam is happy to babysit for the Smith kids. Sam is happy to babysit for the Smith kids since Mrs. Smith always has a full fridge.

Sample Sentences He is always broke at the end of the month. He makes over a thousand dollars a week. Even though he makes over a thousand dollars a week, he is always broke at the end of the month. He is always broke at the end of the month even though he makes over a thousand dollars a week.

Commas and Semicolons