Business English Overview Comma usage in written correspondence requires special attention If you learn and follow the rules in this presentation you can master comma usage in no time Direct Address ID: 344357
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Slide1
Basic Comma Rules
Business EnglishSlide2
Overview
Comma usage in written correspondence requires special attention.
If you learn and follow the rules in this presentation, you can master comma usage in no time!Slide3
Direct Address
What is a direct address?
Using a person’s name or the name of an object in a sentence to directly address the person or object.
Example: Good morning, Ms. Brandon.
Slide4
Direct Address
Comma Rule
Enclose a direct address in a sentence with a comma(s).
Click on ImageSlide5
Dates, Addresses, and Geographical Items
Why do these items require special attention?
Comma rules exist for these items.
These rules are often overlooked in written correspondence.Slide6
Dates, Addresses, and Geographical Items
Comma Rule
When these items contain more than one element, the second and subsequent elements must be set off by commas.
Watch this Video...Slide7
Introductory Phrases
A group of related words that lacks a subject and a verb
Verbal phrases
Introductory verbal phrases are always followed by a comma.
Prepositional phrases
These phrases require closer examination.Slide8
Introductory Prepositional Phrases
Comma Rule:
One or more introductory prepositional phrases containing five or more words require a comma.
Introductory prepositional phrases containing less than five words require no comma.
Click here for examples.Slide9
Introductory Clauses
A group of related words that contains a subject and a verb.
Two types of clauses
Independent clauses: contain a subject and a verb and can stand alone
Dependent clauses: contain a subject and a verb and cannot stand aloneSlide10
Introductory Clauses
Comma Rule:
Introductory dependent clauses are always followed by a comma.
When I sleep, I always dream of commas.
Dependent Clause Independent ClauseSlide11
Contrasting Statements
Statements that contrast or oppose each other
My favorite food is shrimp, not steak.
In this example, shrimp is in opposition with steak.Slide12
Contrasting Statements
Comma Rule
Opposing or contrasting statements should be set off by commas.
Josie, not Paul, was invited to the movie preview.Slide13
Clarity
Some sentences may be misread if proper punctuation is not used to add clarity.
Receiver may not interpret your message the way you intended.Slide14
Clarity
Comma Rule
Commas may be used to separate words, phrases, or clauses that may be misread if not separatedSlide15
Clarity
Examples:
No matter what you know, we still love you.
No matter what, you know we still love you.
Do the above examples have the same meaning?Slide16
Conclusion
Mastering comma rules takes practice, and practice makes perfect!
Practice, Practice, Practice!Slide17
References
Brookhouser, Keven. October 29, 2012. Retrieved from
https://youtu.be/7Kbze5U7PsM
EnglishatCrossCounty. October 24, 2014. Retrieved from
https://youtu.be/o9LVidbl2uA
English Plus. 2006. Retrieved from http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000074.htm
Guffey, Mary E
. Essentials of Business Communication, 9e. 2008.
Williams, Karen S.
Basic English Review, 9th Edition. 2008.