The Three Is In addition to the most common uses for the comma separating items in a series separating adjectives that modify the same noun and conventional issues dates addresses salutations and closings in letters etc there are also three common uses for the comma that are often us ID: 367805
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Slide1
Fun with commasSlide2
The Three I’s
In addition to the most common uses for the comma (separating items in a series, separating adjectives that modify the same noun, and conventional issues ( dates, addresses, salutations and closings in letters, etc.), there are also three common uses for the comma that are often used incorrectly or not at all.
I
ndependent clauses
I
ntroductory elements
I
nterruptersSlide3
Commas in a series
Use a comma with items in a series (words, phrases, or clauses):
We have to buy eggs, milk, and squirrels.
He has to clean his room, watch
tv
, and groom his mullet.
We ate rusty nails, drank motor oil, and cried.
We discussed life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness.Slide4
Commas with quotations
Use a comma before a quotation (or after, if the attribution follows the quote).
Delores said, “I love ponies.”
“I love ponies,” Delores said.Slide5
Commas in conventional situations
Today is Monday, June 5.
Big Bird
123 Sesame Street
Plymouth, WI 53073
Dear Mr. Mella,
Blah blah blah blah blah.
Sincerely,
Mr. ClearySlide6
Commas between coordinate adjectives
Use a comma between two or more equal adjectives describing the same noun.
Think of the comma as replacing “and”
Brent has a long,
slim
face.
The large, shallow, polluted lake is also home to the mullet fish.
The little old lady
The little and old lady?
The old wooden bridge
The old and wooden bridge?Slide7
Commas between independent clauses
Use a comma between two independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction.
I no longer enjoyed my Swedish black metal band with Conan O’Brien, so I decided to become a ventriloquist.
He stole all the cookies from the cookie jar, and he will now spend life in prison.Slide8
Commas and introductory elements
Use comma after
beginning expressions
:
Yes, I ate the live crab.
Well, I didn’t know he would electrocute himself while using the toaster.
Meanwhile, I prepared to slice the head off the serpent.
However, I failed to completely eat the apple.
Oddly enough, he did seem pleased with his new mullet.Slide9
Use a comma after an introductory phrase:
After having lunch, he bought a new messenger bag.
Needing my shirt for the program tomorrow, I soiled myself when I realized the washing machine was broken.
Under the bed, you’ll find the dirt I “swept away.”
Commas and introductory elementsSlide10
Use a comma after an
introductory
dependent clause
:
Since I love to chill, I’m going to
Beechwood
.
Because I’m smooth, the ladies love me.
Commas and introductory elementsSlide11
Use a comma to offset parenthetical expressions:
My insurance will,
of course
, cover this bogus claim.
That clever Mr. Cleary was the fist to solve the puzzle,
naturally
.
Commas with interruptersSlide12
Use a comma to offset a direct address to someone:
Jerry
, please see us about your mullet.
You seem upset,
my friend
.
I can’t believe you shot that zombie,
dawg
!
Commas with interruptersSlide13
Commas with interrupters
Use a comma to offset appositive phrases:
I accidentally hit Florence Cohen,
the noted landscape architect
, on the head.
The story will appear in the The Press,
our local paper
.
Well, you’d probably get in trouble, and your parents would no longer trust you if you punched Bobby,
your little bro
, in the face.Slide14
Commas with interrupters
Check this out . ..
Grown men who watch the show, “My Little Pony,” are called “
bronies
” . . .
The commas here are incorrect - the commas mean there is one show, and it is called “My Little Pony.”
Another example:
My brother, Ben, ate an entire cake.
My brother Ben ate an entire cake.
The commas mean you have one brother, and his name is Ben.
Without commas, you have more than one brother, and you’re referring to one of them – Ben.Slide15
Hibernating snakes,
which often kill people
, enjoy hardcore rap. (
adjective clause
)
Amy,
reading The Help for the third time
, fell asleep. (
nonessential participial phrase
)
NOTE: When the meaning of the participial phrase or adjective clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence, do not offset with commas:
Any books
remaining after the end of the week
will be sold for half price. (
essential participial phrase
)
Commas to offset participial phrases and adjective clauses