The Rules of the Dreaded Comma!

1. The Rules of the Dreaded Comma! Rae Meade 9th Grade English Click for the next slide!

2. Click on a pencil to learn more about specific occasions in which we use the comma: With items in a series With clauses with conjunctions With introductory phrases/clauses With nonrestrictive elements With absolute phrases With transitional expressions According to convention With appositives Click for Review Question

3. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses • Coordinating conjunction- and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet • Independent clause-a phrase that can stand alone (can be considered a full sentence) • Ex: The student decided to sign up for the newspaper staff, but she also decided to join the volleyball team. • Remember: DO NOT use a comma to separate phrases that are not independent clauses • Ex: The student decided to join the newspaper staff, and the volleyball team. Return to Main Menu

4. Use a comma after an introductory phrase or clause • Introductory phrase- group of words that tells under what conditions the main action of the sentence occurred • Most introductory phrases function as adverbs • Adverbs- used to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb • Putting a comma after the introductory phrase indicates that the phrase is over, and the main part of the sentence is starting • Ex: When I was done packing my bags, I walked to the car to drive to the airport. Return to Main Menu

5. Use a comma between all items in a series • Items in a series- can be single words or phrases or clauses • Ex: I went to the store and bought apples, oranges, peaches, and grapes. • Ex: I went to the store to pick up some fruit, buy lunch meat for the week, and see if I could apply for a job. Return to Main Menu

6. Use commas to set off nonrestrictive elements • Nonrestrictive element- describes a noun or pronoun whose meaning has already been clearly defined • If you remove the nonrestrictive element from a sentence, not too much of the meaning will change • Ex: I need to go to my American Lit class, which is unfortunately at 8 in the morning. Return to Main Menu

7. Use commas with nonrestrictive appositives • Appositive- a noun or noun phrase that renames a nearby noun • Nonrestrictive appositives use commas before and after the phrase; restrictive appositives do not • Ex: Jessica, my roommate, is currently working on crafts. • An example of an incorrect use of commas with a restrictive appositive: The book, Early American Literature, is sitting on my desk. • This is incorrect because the book is not clearly defined or specific, making the appositive restrictive, which means there should be no commas Return to Main Menu

8. Use a comma after transitional expressions • Transitional expressions- serve as bridges between sentences or parts of sentences • Include conjunctive adverbs-however, therefore, moreover • Include transitional phrases-for example, in other words, on the other hand • Ex: I don’t enjoy shopping in the mall for a long time. On the other hand, I could shop in the bookstore for hours. • When a transitional expression appears between independent clauses in a compound sentence, a semicolon is first used and is then followed by a comma • Ex: I don’t enjoy shopping in the mall for a long time; however, I could shop in the book store for hours. Return to Main Menu

9. Use a comma with absolute phrases • Absolute phrase- modifies the whole sentence, usually consists of a noun followed by a participle or participial phrase • Can be at beginning or end of sentence • Ex: The book being in the section I expected it to be, I was able to begin my reading for my research assignment. Return to Main Menu

10. Use commas to set off words and phrases according to convention • Mild interjections • Ex: Well, I don’t know if I want to go. • Direct quotations • Ex: She replied, “I don’t want to go either.” • Dates • Ex: It is currently December 2, 2011. Return to Main Menu

11. Review Question! Which choice uses the comma correctly? • Maria, the girl who sits next to me studies really hard every night and she is involved in many clubs at school. • Maria, the girl who sits next to me, studies really hard every night, and she is involved in many clubs at school. • Maria, the girl who sits next to me, studies really hard every night and she is involved in many clubs at school.

12. Sorry, that is incorrect. In this sentence, “the girl who sits next to me” is a nonrestrictive appositive. Where do we place commas with sentences with nonrestrictive appositives? Hint: We use two commas. Also, there are two independent clauses joined together by a conjunction in this sentence. Where do we place a comma with sentences that use coordinating conjunctions? Hint: The conjunction is “and” in this sentence. Return to Question

13. You are correct! Great job! Two commas are placed before and after “the girl who sits next to me” because it is a nonrestrictive appositive. A comma is placed before “and” because it’s a conjunction joining two independent clauses. Click to continue

14. Sorry, that is incorrect. You are very close! The two commas before and after “the girl who sits next to me” are correct. You are just missing one comma. Hint: Where do we use a comma when we have two independent clauses joined by a conjunction? Return to Question

15. Congratulations! You have completed the lesson on the rules of the comma! That wasn’t so bad, was it?Please click on the gold star below to return to the title slide for the next student: