Commas Pages 259-272

1. Commas Pages 259-272 By Seth Murray and Garrett Thelen

2. Where Commas Should Be Used • Before coordinating conjunctions joining independent clauses. • After introductory word groups. • Between all items in a series. • Between coordinate adjectives not joined by and. • To set off nonrestrictive elements. • To set off nouns of direct address, yes and no, interrogative tags, and mild interjections. • With expressions to set off direct quotations. • With dates, addresses, titles, and numbers. • To set off transitional and parenthetical expressions, absolute phrases, and contrasted elements. • To avoid confusion.

3. Before Coordinating Conjunctions Joining Independent Clauses • Seven Coordinating Conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet. • EXAMPLE: I hate to waste a single drop of squid eyeball stew, for it is expensive and time-consuming to make.

4. After Introductory Word Groups • Introductory Word Groups – Word groups that usually tell when, where, how, why, or under what conditions the main action of the sentence occurred. • EXAMPLE: Since Tiger was going through a 24 hour period of erectile dysfunction, he decided not to join Amy to teach her how too golf in a secluded hotel room.

5. Between All Items in a Series • Series- A group with three or more items. • EXAMPLE: This morning I woke up, felt like P-Diddy, got dressed, brushed my teeth with a bottle of jack, and turned on Katy Perry.

6. Between coordinate adjectives not joined by and • Coordinate Adjectives- When two or more adjectives each modify a noun separately. • EXAMPLE: The poster depicted a brown-haired, blue-eyed child wearing a Canadian tuxedo.

7. To Set Off Nonrestrictive Elements • Nonrestrictive Elements- Word groups describing nouns or pronouns are restrictive or nonrestrictive. A nonrestrictive element describes a noun or a pronoun that has already been clearly defined. • EXAMPLE: Mr. Smith, who is a well-respected lawyer, has just retired from active practice.

8. To Set Off Nouns of Direct Address, Interrogative Tags, and Mild Interjections • Nouns of Direct Address- the name of the person (normally) who is being directly spoken to. Also applies to words like Sir, Ma’am, and Son. • EXAMPLE: Karen, you are looking mighty fine tonight. • Interrogative Tags- A phrase in the form of a question that is a spin off from the original statement.

9. To Set Off Nouns of Direct Address, Interrogative Tags, and Mild Interjections Continued • EXAMPLE: Honey, that was great, wasn’t it? • Mild Interjections- Usually treated as parenthetical elements. (Words like oh and well) • EXAMPLE: Well, at least you enjoyed it.

10. With Expressions To Set Off Direct Quotations • Direct Quotations- Something that is word for word the same as the source. • EXAMPLE: Former President Bill Clinton remarked, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky.”

11. With Dates, Addresses, Titles, and Numbers • DATE EXAMPLE: On June 5, 1989, a little boy started his journey through life. • ADDRESS EXAMPLE: Garrett Thelen was born in St. Johns, Michigan, in 1989 • TITLE EXAMPLE: Seth Murray, Ph.D, is being sued for malpractice. • NUMBERS EXAMPLE: 1,000,000

12. To Set Off Transitional and Parenthetical Expressions, Absolute Phrases, and Contrasted Elements • Transitional Expressions- Serve as bridges between sentences or parts of sentences. • EXAMPLE: They are real as a matter of fact, I have had them since I was in Middle School. • Parenthetical Expressions- A phrase that provides supplemental information but interrupts the flow of a sentence or is at the end of a sentence as an after thought. • EXAMPLE: Bill, as far as we know, enjoys the touch of a man on his skin.

13. To Set Off Transitional and Parenthetical Expressions, Absolute Phrases, and Contrasted Elements Continued • Absolute Phrases- Modifies the independent clause as a whole. • EXAMPLE: Their slender bodies sleek and black against the orange sky, the storks pooped above us. • Contrasted Elements- Sharp contrasts with words like not, never, and unlike. • EXAMPLE: Unlike Darth Vader, Bill is from the planet Earth.

14. To Avoid Confusion • EXAMPLE: Everything that would thought might happen, happened. • EXAMPLE: Patients, who can walk up and down the halls, walk several times a day.

15. Where Commas Should NOT Be Used • Between compound elements that are not independent clauses. • To separate a verb from its subject or object. • Before the first or after the last item in a series. • Between cumulative adjectives, between an adjective and a noun, or between an adverb and an adjective. • To set off restrictive elements. • To set off a concluding adverb clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence.

16. Between Compound Elements that are not Independent Clauses. • Independent Clause- A sentence that can stand by itself containing a subject and a predicate. • EXAMPLE: John Smith discovered the meaning of life, and later jumped off a cliff.

17. To Separate a Verb from its Subject or Object • EXAMPLE: Julie explained to him, that she was tired and he would have to wait until a different night.

18. Before the First or After the Last Item in a Series • Series- A group with three or more items. • EXAMPLE: Bode Miller’s medals at the Olympics are, gold, silver, and bronze, but he is hoping for iron.

19. Between Cumulative Adjectives, Between an Adjective and a Noun, or Between an Adverb and an Adjective. • Cumulative Adjectives- Two or more adjectives that do not modify the noun separately. • EXAMPLE: The former, overweight woman told us how she lost fifty-five pounds. • ADJECTIVE AND NOUN EXAMPLE: It was a scary, pointless, game. • ADVERB AND ADJECTIVE EXAMPLE: The old High School is not suitable for teaching our severely, deprived children.

20. To Set Off Restrictive Elements • Restrictive Elements- Word groups describing nouns or pronouns are restrictive or nonrestrictive. A restrictive element defines or limits the meaning of the word it modifies making it essential to the meaning of the sentence. • EXAMPLE: William Faulkner's novel,Light in August, is my favorite book.

21. To Set off a Concluding Adverb Clause that is Essential to the Meaning of the Sentence. • Adverb Clause- Adverb clauses show relationships such as time, cause and effect, contrast, and condition. • EXAMPLE: Don’t visit Mexico right now, unless you know some powerful drug lords.

22. TRY AND EDIT THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES (HINT: Pay attention to comma use.)

23. I hate going to that pointless class yet I end up going everyday. • CORRECT: I hate going to that pointless class, yet I end up going everyday. • WHY: Because it’s a coordinating conjunctions joining independent clauses!

24. Harry Bottom’s new novel, Monkey Love, is so amazing. • CORRECT: Bottom’s new novel Monkey Love is so amazing. • WHY: Because Monkey Love is a restrictive element!

25. Antonio’s siblings back home in Mexico are named Maria, Jose, and George Lopez but he is hoping for a Paco. • CORRECT: It is already CORRECT! • WHY: You don’t need a comma before the First or After the Last Item in a Series.

26. Garrett Thelen also known as White Lightening used to be the lead singer of White Snake. • Incorrect: This is a Nonrestrictive Element. • The correct way is: Garrett Thelen, also known as White Lightening, used to be the lead singer of White Snake.