Eng1

Commas 1

Quick Comma Reference Sheet For more information, visit the following links or the book listed below.

A Pocket Style Manual http://pages.mail.bfwpub.com/hackerhandbooks/handbooks/ Hacker, Diana. A Writer’s Reference. 7th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011. 259-269. (or the most current edition)

You may also consult https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/02/ , a free website, for comma information.

Here is an overview of the rules: 1. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses.

The Thanksgiving meal was delicious, and nearly everyone had a second helping.

Do not use a comma before a coordinating conjunction if one clause is dependent. I hope you can come but will understand if you cannot. 2. Use a comma after an introductory word group. When I am hungry, I like to eat chips and salsa. 3. Use a comma between all items in a series. I went to the store to buy eggs, milk, and cheese. 4. Use a comma between coordinate adjectives. (Adjectives are coordinate if they can be joined with the word and. Mary is a strong and beautiful woman.) Mary is a strong, beautiful woman. Do not use commas between cumulative adjectives. (Adjectives are cumulative if they cannot be joined with the word and. Three and large and dark figures moved toward us.)

Three large dark figures moved toward us. 5. “Certain word groups that modify nouns or pronouns can be restrictive or nonrestrictive—that is, essential or not essential to the meaning of a sentence. These word groups are usually adjective clauses [defined below], adjective phrases [phrase = less than a complete sentence, like ‘being one’s own boss’], or appositives [defined below]” (Hacker 262).

Commas 2

RESTRICTIVE ELEMENTS Do not use commas to set off restrictive elements (essential to the meaning of a sentence).

The clothes that the children were asked to purchase for gym class were expensive.

Doctors who specialize in eyes are called ophthalmologists.

NONRESTRICTIVE ELEMENTS Use commas to set off nonrestrictive elements (those that are not necessary to the meaning of the sentence). Nonrestrictive or parenthetical elements can be removed from a sentence, and the sentence will still have the same meaning. Most parents buy their children new school clothes, which can be expensive.

The doctors, who worked as a team in defining her eye problems, were very informed.

ADJECTIVE CLAUSES “Adjective clauses are patterned like sentences, containing subjects and verbs, but they function within sentences as modifiers of nouns or pronouns. They always follow the word they modify, usually immediately. Adjective clauses begin with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that) or a relative adverb (where, when)” (Hacker 263). The same restrictive or non-restrictive rules apply with these. Restrictive (no commas) The house that is located at 300 Brownsferry Street is for sale. Non-restrictive (use commas) Jody’s house, which he bought several years ago, is for sale. As a general rule, you can remember to use a comma before the word which but not before the word that in these types of sentences.

ADJECTIVE PHRASES Restrictive:

I went into the attic of the historical home and found records proving that the home was once used as a hotel. (no comma before proving)

Commas 3

Non-restrictive:

The airplane, with its loud engine roaring, took off.

APPOSITIVES Use commas to set off nonrestrictive appositives (words that rename a nearby noun).

Darwin’s most important book, Origin of Species, was a revolutionary contribution to science. (nonrestrictive) The song “God Bless America” was played at the parade. (restrictive, no commas)

6. Use commas to set off (a) transitional expressions; (b) parenthetical expressions; (c) absolute phrases; and (d) contrasted elements.

(a) “Transitional expressions serve as bridges between sentences or parts of sentences” (Hacker 265).

However, they needed more help than they received.

I received fifty dollars in cash; however, that was not enough to buy the gift. (“However” is used as a conjunctive adverb in this sentence and requires a semicolon and a comma.) Teaching is a wonderful profession; the sad truth for some, though, is that the pay is not enough.

(b) The cat weighed seven pounds, give or take a few ounces. Parenthetical- type expressions provide supplemental/additional information.

(c) Absolute phrases are phrases that modify the whole sentence.

Her course requirements at last completed, Heather graduated from college.

(d) (beginning with not, never, or unlike) Unlike Nicole, Stephanie loves to dance.

7. Use commas to set off nouns of direct address: Forgive me, Mom, for I accidentally broke your vase.

Commas 4

For yes and no: Yes, I like the house very much. No, you may not go outside. For interrogative tags: The house is blue, isn’t it? For mild interjections: Man, I can’t believe that I made an A on the exam. For quotations: Mr. Brown said, “I am an engineer.” “This a worthwhile program,” said the president of the company. With dates: On June 19, 1982, my sister was born. The plan went into effect on 19 October 2001. (no commas) October of 2000 was a particularly hot month. (no commas) With addresses: John Smith was born in Liverpool, England, in 1970.

Please send the package to me at 800 East Street, Decatur, Alabama 35601. (Notice there is no comma between the state and zip code.)

With titles that FOLLOW a name: Dana White, M.D., performed the surgery. Numbers:

In numbers of more than four digits, use commas to separate the numbers into groups of three, starting from the right. In numbers that are four digits long, the comma is optional.

3,500 or 3500 100,000 5,000,000 8. Use a comma to prevent confusion. Patients who can, walk up and down the halls throughout the day.

To err is human; to forgive, divine. The word “is” has been omitted in this sentence, so a comma makes the omission clear (Hacker 269).