Three Key Situations While there are many different ways to use commas in writing most comma use falls into three situations If you know the basic rule for these three cases you should be set for comma usage ID: 606216
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Slide1
Missing (but Necessary) CommasSlide2
Three Key Situations
While there are many different ways to use commas in writing, most comma
use falls
into three situations. If you know the basic rule for these three cases, you should be set for comma usage.
Put a comma before a coordinating conjunction
(for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
that separates two independent clauses.
Example: I wanted to drive to the mall
, but
my car wouldn't start.
Put a comma after introductory words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence.
Example:
Although
it was a good offer
,
I felt that I needed to explore other options.
Use commas to set off elements that interrupt or add information in a sentence.
Example: Tommy
, my older brother,
loved to punch me for telling his secrets.Slide3
Another Way to Put It…
C
ommas
serve three main actions:
Join
Emphasize
S
eparate
.Slide4
Another Way to Put It…
commas serve three main actions:
join, emphasize, contain
, and
separate
.
They work with a coordinating conjunction to
join two independent clauses
within a sentence.
They
emphasize introductory elements
at the beginning of a sentence or clause.
They
set off cumulative elements
at the end of a sentence or clause
.Slide5
Another Way to Put It…
commas serve three main actions:
join, emphasize, contain
, and
separate
.
They
separate a dependent clause at the beginning of a sentence
from the independent clause following it.
They work in pairs to
contain restrictive modifiers
within a sentence.
They work in pairs to
contain parenthetical expressions
within a sentence.
They
separate two or more adjectives
that independently describe the same noun.
They
separate quotations
from their attributions.
They
separate items in a list.
They
separate elements in dates, numbers, personal titles, and addresses.Slide6
Another Way to Put It…
commas serve three main actions:
join, emphasize, contain
, and
separate
.
They work with a coordinating conjunction to
join two independent clauses
within a sentence.
They
emphasize introductory elements
at the beginning of a sentence or clause.
They
set off cumulative elements
at the end of a sentence or clause.
They
separate a dependent clause at the beginning of a sentence
from the independent clause following it.
They work in pairs to
contain restrictive modifiers
within a sentence.
They work in pairs to
contain parenthetical expressions
within a sentence.
They
separate two or more adjectives
that independently describe the same noun.
They
separate quotations
from their attributions.
They
separate items in a list.
They
separate elements in dates, numbers, personal titles, and addresses.Slide7
When you begin a sentence with a word or group of words that provides some background, introductory, or otherwise preliminary information, put a comma between this word or phrase and the rest of your sentence. The comma here tells your reader to pause, take the background information into consideration, and get ready to move on to the main part of the sentence.
To help you recognize places in your sentences where you are missing commas after introductory clauses, read your writing out loud. Chances are good you'll naturally pause after introductory phrases. You can also check the beginning of each sentence to look for words or phrases that add information about time, place, or manner or for words that serve as transitions; these are all common introductory elements.
EXAMPLES
Incorrect:
Before the budget passed several lawmakers filibustered to stop it.
Correct:
Before the budget passed, several lawmakers filibustered to stop it.
Incorrect:
However supporters saw the legislation through.
Correct:
However, supporters saw the legislation through.Slide8
Commas After Introductory Phrases
An introductory phrase is like a clause, but it doesn’t have its own subject and verb; it relies on the subject and verb in the main clause. Unless the phrase is very short (fewer than 5 words) and begins with a preposition (to, for, at, etc.), there should be a comma between the introductory phrase and the main clause. You can use your own judgment here: if you were saying the sentence out loud, would you pause after the introductory phrase?
Fighting against reason, Martha decided to pull an all-nighter in hopes of passing the exam.
Without understanding why, Annie woke from a deep sleep with an urge to check on her children.
Between March and April, the little boy grew three inches.
By flashlight we made our way along the path.
Because the introductory phrase
by flashlight
is short and begins with a preposition, a comma is not required; regardless, it wouldn’t be considered incorrect if there were a comma after
flashlight
.Slide9
Comma After Introductory Clauses
Introductory clauses are dependent clauses which are found at the beginning of the sentence (although they can be moved to the end of the sentence, too, without confusing the meaning of the sentence). After a dependent introductory clause, we use a comma to separate the introductory clause from the independent clause. The dependent introductory clause may start with an adverb or conjunction like although, if, or when.
As the man was walking into the store, he came face-to-face with his childhood sweetheart.
Because the rain was torrential, the day’s Little League games were postponed.
Grabbing her umbrella, Kate raced out of the house.
Now then, we should head back home because the baby needs a nap.Slide10
Missing Comma After Introductory Clause With Date
Dependent introductory clauses which include a date should be offset by a comma. The date can be a year or the date of the month.
In 1989, he graduated from high school.
By the 1960s, most households had a television set.
During the 1800s, canned foods were becoming popular.
Since November 15th, we’ve raised more than a thousand dollars for charity.Slide11Slide12Slide13Slide14Slide15