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Why was the comma invented?. The comma was invented to help readers. Without the comma a sentence can cause confusion. Confusing: While we were eating a rattlesnake approached our campsite.
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Why was the comma invented? • The comma was invented to help readers. • Without the comma a sentence can cause confusion. • Confusing: While we were eating a rattlesnake approached our campsite. • By adding a comma, the sentence is no longer confusing and we are no longer eating the rattlesnake. • Correct: While we were eating, a rattlesnake approached our campsite.
Let’s eat Grandpa! Let’s eat, Grandpa! Commas can save lives…
Examples • Jane claimed John made the mess. • "Jane,” claimed John, “made the mess.” • A pretty tall girl • A pretty, tall girl
Examples • Birds that migrate occasionally fly high. • Birds that migrate occasionally, fly high. • Birds that migrate, occasionally fly high. • The year before John went away (fragment) • The year before, John went away.
Important • Put a comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) that separates two independent clauses. My friend is gone , but he will return soon.
Coordinating Conjunction • Coordinating conjunctions are used to connect equal elements in one sentence. • Coordinating conjunction are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so • Examples: • Josée is ill, but she will still go to school. • Luc will play hockey this weekend, and he will still go see a movie Sunday night.
Independent clauses. • Definition: An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence. • Example: • Julien studied at Starbucks for his Math quiz.
Where to place the comma? • Do not forget that you must put a comma before a coordinating conjunction that separates two independent clauses. • Example: • We washed the dog and cleaned up his mess. Independent clause Not an independent clause (cannot stand alone) • We washed the dog, and we cleaned up his mess. Independent clause Independent clause
Put a comma after introductory words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. • The introductory words usually tell when, where, how, why, or under what conditions the main action of the sentence occurred. • Examples: • When Dally was ready to iron,his cat tripped on the cord. • Near a small stream at the bottom of the canyon, the park rangers discovered an abandoned mine. • While we were eating, a huge delivery truck drove right onto our front lawn.
DO NOT use commas • AFTER a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) I have an Ipod, but, I do not have a sound dock. • AFTER such as or like Many shade-loving plants, such as, begonias, impatiens, and coleus, can add colour to a shady garden. • BEFORE than Touring Crete was more thrilling for us, than visiting the Greek islands frequented by rich Europeans. • AFTER although Although, the air was balmy, the water was too cold for swimming.