THE TEAM
BEN
Using commas to add information to sentences
DANIEL
Using commas to join clauses
KAYTLIN
Using commas to separate information to reduce misunderstandings of the information the writer provides
TORRANCE
Using commas as mechanical placeholders
Comma Group Assignement
BEN
ADD Information to sentences
Rule 1. P-1b To Set Off Introductory Words
At the end of an introductory word it is important to follow it with a comma to notify the reader that it is the conclusion of the beginning and the beginning of the main idea of the sentence.
Example: After breakfast, I immediately had lunch.
Example: Two days later, I finally finished my report.
Example: However, he did have a nice car.
*The comma after an introductory word sometimes isn't used by authors, but that doesn’t make it wrong to add the comma.*
Rule 2. P-1d To Set off Nonrestrictive elements
It is important to set off nonrestrictive elements with commas because they are unnecessary to comprehend the main idea of a sentence. A restrictive element is the contrary of a nonrestrictive element. It is absolutely necessary, in fact needed in order to get the main point of the statement across and should not be set off with commas.
Non Restrictive Example: Chocolate chip cookies, which were invented by accident, had great big chunks in them.
*The main idea is that chocolate chip cookies were invented by accident and the added information about chunks was unneeded to get the main point across.*
Restrictive Example: Spanish is spoken in many different countries which use different dialects.
*The fact that spanish is spoken in many different countries and different dialects is necessary because without it one might assume that all spanish speaking countries have the same dialect.*
*Both examples can also be clauses or phrases*
Rule 3. P-1e To Set Off Parenthetical Information
In order to keep a sentence sounding natural you must use commas to separate added information from the original statement.
Example: His reasons, although they weren’t justified, made valid points.
Example: The comma, however, was off setting.
Example: Dylan, who plays guitar, always plays during the night time, when he also writes his music.
Rule 4. P-1f To Set Off Transitional Expressions
Certain words are used to help tie in different parts or phrases of the main idea of a sentence. Words like, however, such as, and although. They are also set off with commas. Some transitional words connect two phrases which are followed by a period or semicolon then a comma.
Example: There are many types of ice cream, for example: chocolate, vanilla, and sherbert.
DANIEL
JOIN Clauses
Rule P-1a. To join independent clauses with and, but, and other coordinating conjunctions
Put a comma before the coordinating conjunctions and, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet when they connect two independent clauses.
Examples: I do not love Shakespeare, but I still have those books.
Most people think the avocado is a vegetable, yet it is actually a fruit.
They awarded the blue ribbon to Susanna, and Sarah got the red ribbon.
UNNECESSARY Commas
Rule P-1j
BEN: Between a subject and verb
I, saw Chris running as fast as he could.
I saw Chris running as fast as he could.
KAYTLIN: Between a verb and object
Kaytlin pondered, why her brother didn’t get stitches after he sliced his finger at work.
Kaytlin pondered why her brother didn’t get stitches after he sliced his finger at work.
DANIEL: After a coordinating conjunction
The College Board reported a decline in SAT scores and, attributed the decline to changes in “student test-taking patterns.”
The College Board reported a decline in SAT scores and attributed the decline to changes in “student test-taking patterns.”
TORRANCE: After like or such as
There are many different motorcycles such as, Harley, Honda, Suzuki, and Kawasaki.
There are many different motorcycles such as Harley, Honda, Suzuki, and Kawasaki.
KAYTLIN: With a question mark or exclamation point
“I can’t believe you watched Supergirl without me!,” Brittney exclaimed angrily.
Brittney exclaimed angrily, “I can’t believe you watched Supergirl without me!”
KAYTLIN
SEPARATE Information to reduce misunderstandings of the information the writer provides.
Rule 1. P-1c Series of Items
Use a comma to separate words that come in a series of three or more. For example: Willow wanted to play with her tennis ball, the tire, and the pull rope, but she could only carry one at a time in her mouth.
Some writers do not place a comma before the “and” that precedes the final item, but it is placed there to clarify exactly what the last item is. For example: Henry was looking for a pink tie, but all he could find were red, white, black, blue and yellow ties.
We’re unsure whether or not he found ties that were both blue and yellow, perhaps striped, or if he found separate blue ties and yellow ties.
Rule 2. P-1g Direct Quotes
Place a comma before a quotation to separate it clearly from the rest of the text. For example: Optimus Prime said, “There are mysteries to the universe we were never meant to solve, but who we are and why we are here, are not among them. Those answers we carry inside.” The quotation is clearly set apart by the comma and indicates the direct quote from Optimus in Transformers 4. :)
Rule 3. P-1h Addressing someone directly, Interjections, Yes & No, and Tag Questions
When we directly address someone, we use commas to separate their name. For example: Thank you, Willow, for shaking and getting soapy water everywhere.
Interjections are also separated from the rest of a sentence with a comma. For example: Oh my goodness, are you okay?
The words yes and no are also separated from the rest of a sentence with commas. For Example: Yes, I watched Supergirl last night. No, I didn’t work on any assignments.
When placing, or “tagging,” a question onto the end of a sentence, we use a comma to separate it. For example: You don’t want me to put you in time out, do you?
TORRANCE
MECHANICAL Placeholders
Although the mechanical use of the comma is common, it is mistakenly used sometimes. It explained dates (P-1i), numbers, place names (P-1i).
When writing dates, a comma is used to separate numbers. Here is an example using a date:
Although I was born on April 1, 1972, I am an Aquarius.
A comma is used to separate areas and sections. Here is an example using an address:
My old address was 3250, N.W. 213 street, Miami, Florida.