Commas and Their UseENGL 3100Dr. Shelley Thomas

Comma

Description The comma is used more often than any other

mark of punctuation because it has a variety of uses: it can link, enclose, separate, and show omission. Used with care, the comma can add clarity and emphasis to your writing; used carelessly, it can cause confusion. (520)

(from Alred, Brusaw, Oliu. Writing that Works. New York: St. Martin’s, 1984.)

Punctuation Saves Lives

from http://8.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kqjf13bgi41qzwmnbo1_400.jpg

Comma

“Do not follow the old myth that you should insert a comma wherever you would pause if you were speaking” (HTW 78).

Comma – To Link

Coordinating conjunctions and, but, for, or, so, nor, yet

Comma is placed BEFORE the coordinating conjunction to connect independent clauses

Example

Human beings have always prided themselves in their unique capacity to create and manipulate symbols.

Today computers are manipulating symbols.

Human beings have always prided themselves in their unique capacity to create and manipulate symbols, but today computers are manipulating symbols.

Comma – To Enclose

Nonrestrictive elements Provide additional, nonessential information

about things they modify

Example Our new Detroit factory, which began operations

last month, should add 25 percent to total output.

Comma – To Enclose

Parenthetical elements Also provide extra information Set off by commas to show a loose relationship

with the rest of the sentence

Example We can, of course, expect their lawyer to call us.

Comma – To Separate

Introductory commas Sets off introductory elements from the rest of

the sentence Indicates to the reader where the main part of

the sentence (the subject) begins

Example

Introductory Commas Since many rare fossils never occur free from

their matrix, it is wise to scan every slab with a hand lens.

During the first field-performance tests last year at our Colorado proving ground, the new motor failed to meet our expectations.

Comma – To Separate

Items from each other Commas should be used to separate words

in a series.

Example Basically, plants control the wind by

obstruction, guidance, deflection, and filtration.

It is well known that plants absorb noxious gases, act as receptors of dust and dirt particles, and cleanse the air of other impurities.

Comma – To Separate

Subordination A comma separates the subordinating clause

from the main clause

Example While the test ramp was being checked a final

time, the driver reviewed his checklist.

Comma – To Separate

For clarity and emphasis Two contrasting thoughts or ideas can be

separated by commas

Example The project was finished on time, but not within

the cost limits. It was Bill, not Matt, who suggested the names

be changed.

Comma Splice

Comma Splice is a grammatical error in which two independent clauses are joined by only a comma

Example The new medical plan was comprehensive, the

union negotiator was pleased. Revision?

Sentence Fragment

An incomplete grammatical unit that is punctuated as a sentence.

Example Especially the outdoor cats. Enough of this stuff. Because of their dramatic effect.

Exercises

Handout in groups