EPT![[image loading]](http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/5244/comma.jpg)
Note - This is for the common TeamLiquid user that writes his stuff without paying attention to it, or because he never bothered to learn how to write properly. If your comments lead to either misunderstandings between you and your readers, or they simply create eyeshit that fries other people's brains when they have to decode what you meant with your post, this guide on how to use the comma will help you. You will know when to place comma in your sentences so that you won't confuse your readers, and make of TeamLiquid a better place to post, flame, and troll in. (This guide doesn't apply in the high thread.)
Commas
Commas give readers vital clues about how to read a sentence. They tell readers when to pause, and they indicate how the writer's ideas relate to one another.
COMMAS WITH INTRODUCTORY ELEMENTS
Introductory elements like conjunctive adverbs and introductory phrases usually need to be set off by commas. Introductory words or phrases signal a shift in ideas or a particular arrangement of ideas; they help direct the reader's attention to the writer's most important points. Commas force the reader to pause and take notice of these pivotal elements.
Common introductory elements
Conjunctive adverbs...........Introductory phrases
however................................of course
therefore...............................above all
nonetheless..........................for example
also.....................................in other words
otherwise.............................as a result
finally..................................on the other hand
instead................................in conclusion
thus....................................in addition
When a conjunctive adverb or introductory phrase begins a sentence, the comma follows.
Therefore, the suspect could not have been at the scene of the crime.
Above all, remember to let water drop from the faucets if the temperature drops below freezing.
When a conjunctive adverb comes in the middle of a sentence, set if off with commas preceding and following.
If you really want to prevent your pipes from freezing, however, you should insulate them before the winter comes.
Conjunctive adverbs and phrases that do not require commas
Occasionally the conjunctive adverb or phrase blends into a sentence so smoothly that a pause would sound awkward.
Awkward Of course, we'll come.
Better Of course we'll come.
Awkward Even if you take every precaution, the pipes in your home may freeze, nevertheless.
Better Even if you take every precaution, the pipes in your home may freeze nevertheless.
Sometimes the presence or absence of a comma can affect the meaning. For example:
Of course, we'll come. [Be reassured that we will come.]
Of course we'll come. [There is no doubt we will come.]
COMMON ERRORS
Commas with long introductory modifiers
Long subordinate clauses of phrases that begin sentences should be followed by a comma. The following sentence lacks the needed comma.
Incorrect Because cell phones now have organizers and email Palm Pilots may soon become another technology of the past.
When you read this sentence, you likely had to go back to sort it out. The words organizers an email Palm Pilots tend to run together. When the comma is added, the sentence is easier to understand because the reader knows where the subordinate clause ends and where the main clause begins:
Correct Because cell phones now have organizers and email, Palm Pilots may soon become another technology of the past.
How long is a long introductory modifier? Short introductory adverbial phrases and clauses of five words of fewer can get by without the comma if the omission does not mislead the reader. Using the comma is still correct after short introductory adverbial phrases and clauses:
Correct In the long run stocks have always done better than bonds.
Correct In the long run, stocks have always done better than bonds.
Remember: Put commas after long introductory modifiers.
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COMMAS WITH COMPOUND CLAUSES
Two main clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, or, so, yet, but, nor, for) form a compound sentence. Writers sometimes get confused about when to insert a comma before a coordinating conjunction.
Use a comma to separate main clauses
Main clauses carry enough grammatical weight to be punctuated as sentences. When two main clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction, place a comma before the coordinating conjunction in order to distinguish them.
Sandy borrowed two boxes full of records on Tuesday, and she returned them on Friday.
Very short main causes joined by a coordinating conjunction do not need commas.
She called and she called, but no one answered.
Do not use a comma to separate two verbs with the same subject
Incorrect Sandy borrowed two boxes full of records on Tuesday, and returned them on Friday.
Sandy is the subject of both borrowed and returned. This sentence has only one main clause; it should not be punctuated as a compound sentence.
Correct Sandy borrowed two boxes full of records on Tuesday and returned them on Friday.
Exceptions to this rule occur when there is a lapse of time or after said.
He did not study, and failed.
"That's fine," he said, and went on reading.
COMMON ERRORS
Identifying compound sentences that require commas
The easiest way to distinguish between compound sentences and sentences with phrases that follow the main clause is to isolate the part that comes after the conjunction. If the part that follows the conjunction can stand on its own as a complete sentence, insert a comma. If it cannot, omit the comma.
Main clause plus phrases
Mario thinks he lost his passport while riding the bus or by absentmindedly leaving it on the counter when he checked into the hostel.
Look at what comes after the coordinating conjunction or:
by absentmindedly leaving it on the counter when he checked into the hostel.
This group of words is not a main clause and cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence. Do not set it off with a comma.
Main clauses joined with a conjunction
On Saturday Mario went to the American consulate to get a new passport, but the officer told him that replacement passports could not be issued on weekends.
Read the clause after the coordinating conjunction but:
the officer told him that replacement passports could not be issued on weekends.
This group of words can stand on its own as a complete sentence. Thus, it is a main clause; place a comma before but.
Remember:
1. Place a comma before the coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) if there are two main clauses.
2. Do not use a comma before the coordinating conjunction if there is only one main clause.
Do not use a comma to separate a main clause from a restrictive clause or phrase
When clauses and phrases that follow the main clause are essential to the meaning of a sentence, they should not be set off with a comma.
Incorrect Sandy plans to borrow Felicia’s record collection, while Felicia is on vacation.
Correct Sandy plans to borrow Felicia’s record collection while Felicia is on vacation.
Incorrect Sandy plans to borrow Felicia’s records while Felicia is on vacation, in order to convert them to CDs.
Correct Sandy plans to borrow Felicia’s records while Felicia is on vacation in order to convert them to CDs.
COMMON ERRORS
Do not use a comma to set off a because clause that follows a main clause
Writers frequently place unnecessary commas before because and similar subordinate conjunctions that follow a main clause. Because is not a coordinating conjunction; thus it should not be set off by a comma unless the comma improves readability.
Incorrect I struggled to complete my term papers last year, because I didn't know how to type.
Correct I struggled to complete my term papers last year because I didn't know how to type.
But do use a comma after an introductory because clause.
Incorrect Because Danny left his red jersey at home Coach Russell benched him.
Correct Because Danny left his red jersey at home, Coach Russell benched him.
Remember: Use a comma after a because clause that begins a sentence. Do not use a comma to set off a because clause that follows a main clause.
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COMMAS WITH NONRESTRICTIVE MODIFIERS
Imagine that you are sending a friend a group photo that includes your aunt. Which sentence is correct?
In the back row the woman wearing the pink hat is my aunt.
In the back row the woman, wearing the pink hat, is my aunt.
Both sentences can be correct depending on what is in the photo. If there are three women standing in the back row and only one is wearing a pink hat, this piece of information is necessary for identifying your aunt. In this case the sentence without commas is correct because it identifies your aunt as the woman wearing the pink hat. Suck necessary modifiers are restrictive and do not require commas.
If only one woman is standing in the back row, wearing the pink hat is extra information and not necessary to identify your aunt. The modifier in this case is nonrestrictive and is set off by commas.
Distinguish restrictive and nonrestrictive modifiers
You can distinguish restrictive and nonrestrictive modifiers by deleting the modifier and then deciding whether the remaining sentence is changed. For example, delete the modifier still stained by its bloody Tiananmen Square crackdown from the following sentence:
Some members of the Olympic Site Selection Committee wanted to prevent China, still stained by its bloody Tiananmen Square crackdown, from hosting the 2008 games.
The result leaves the meaning of the main clause unchanged.
Some members of the Olympic Site Selection Committee wanted to prevent China from hosting the 2008 games.
The modifier is nonrestrictive and should be set off by commas.
In contrast, deleting who left work early does change the meaning of this sentence:
The employees who left work early avoided driving home in the blizzard.
Without the modifier the sentence reads:
The employees avoided driving home in the blizzard.
Now it sounds as if all the employees avoided driving home in the blizzard instead of just the ones who left early. The modifier is clearly restrictive and must not be set off by commas.
Recognize types and placement of nonrestrictive modifiers
Nonrestrictive modifiers are used frequently to add details. You can add several kinds of nonrestrictive modifiers to a short, simple sentence.
The student ran across campus,
which left him panting when he got to class. [adverb clause]
his backpack swaying back and forth. [absolute phrase]
weaving his way down the crowded sidewalks. [participial phrase]
Nonrestrictive modifiers can be placed at the beginning of sentences.
When he realized his watch had stopped, [adverb clause]
With his thoughts on the intramural championship later that afternoon, [prepositional phrase]
Rushing to get to class, [participial phrase]
the student ran across campus.
They also can be placed in the middle of sentences.
The student,
who had woken up only fifteen minutes before class, [adjective clause]
my old roommate, [appositive]
wearing a ripped black trenchcoat, [participial phrase]
with one arm in a case and the other clutching a stack of books, [prepositional phrase]
ran across campus.
Pay special attention to appositives
Clauses and phrases can be restrictive or nonrestrictive, depending on the context. Often the difference is so obvious, but sometimes require close consideration, especially appositives. An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that identifies or adds information to the noun preceding it.
Consider the following pair.
1. The best-selling vehicles SUVs usually rate the lowest on fuel efficiency.
2. The best-selling vehicles, SUVs, usually rate the lowest on fuel efficiency.
Which is correct? The appositive SUVs is not essential to the meaning of the sentence and offers additional information. Thus, it is a nonrestrictive appositive and should be set off with commas. Sentence 2 is correct.
Here's another pair.
1. The civil rights activist Jesse Jackson runs an organization called the Rainbow Coalition.
2. The civil rights activist, Jesse Jackson, runs an organization called the Rainbow Coalition.
The name Jesse Jackson is essential to identifying which of the many civil rights activists is under discussion. Thus, it is a restrictive appositive and should not be set off by commas. Sentence 1 is correct.
Use commas around nonrestrictive clauses within a that clause
Restrictive clauses beginning with that sometimes have a nonrestrictive clause embedded within them.
Incorrect I want you to know that despite all the arguments we have had over the past few months I still value your advice.
Correct I want you to know that, despite all the arguments we have had over the past few months, I still value your advice.
Use commas to mark off parenthetical expressions
A parenthetical expression provides information or commentary that usually is not essential to the sentence's meaning.
Incorrect My mother much to my surprise didn't say anything when she saw my pierced nose.
Correct My mother, much to my surprise, didn't say anything when she saw my pierced nose.
Some parenthetical expressions are essential to the point of the sentence, especially ones that make contrasts, but they too are set off by commas.
Incorrect The candidate's conversational skills not her résumé landed her the job.
Correct The candidate's conversational skills, not her résumé, landed her the job.
However, do not use a comma if the parenthetical expression is one word and its function not obviously parenthetical.
Incorrect The Freshmen Studies course is, fundamentally, an introduction to writing arguments.
Correct The Freshmen Studies course is fundamentally an introduction to writing arguments.
Use commas to mark off absolute phrases
An absolute phrase contains at least one noun or pronoun and at least one participle. Absolutes can modify a noun or a whole sentence.
Incorrect Her project completed Marianne decided to splurge on a beach vacation.
Correct Her project completed, Marianne decided to splurge on a beach vacation.
Incorrect Their recess privileges taken away the boys sat slumped in the classroom's uncomfortable chairs.
Correct Their recess privileges taken away, the boys sat slumped in the classroom's uncomfortable chairs.
COMMON ERRORS
Commas with that and which clauses
Writers often confuse when to use commas to set off modifying phrases beginning with that and which. That clauses follow a hard and fast rule: They are used only as restrictive modifiers.
A that clause that is a restrictive modifier: Omit commas
Two other women were wearing the same dress that Sherice bought specifically to wear to the awards banquet.
Which clauses are usually used as nonrestrictive modifiers. While which clauses can also function as restrictive modifiers, careful writers observe the difference and change which to that if the clause is restrictive.
A which clause is a nonrestrictive modifier: Use commas
A student government Committee is recommending the allocation of an additional $10,000 for Black History Month festivities, which take place in February, in order to bring a nationally known speaker to campus.
When a which clause acts as a restrictive modifier, change which to that
Incorrect The uncertainty which surrounded the selection of the new coach was created by the sudden and unexpected resignation of her predecessor.
Correct The uncertainty that surrounded the selection of the new coach was created by the sudden and unexpected resignation of her predecessor.
Remember:
1. That clauses are restrictive modifiers and do not take commas.
2. Which clauses can be either restrictive or nonrestrictive, but careful writers use them as nonrestrictive modifiers and set them off with commas.
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COMMAS WITH ITEMS IN A SERIES
In a series of three or more items, place a comma after each item but the last one. The comma between the last two items goes before the coordinating conjunction (and, or, nor, but, so, for, yet).
Health officials in Tendon, Manhattan, and the Bronx have all reported new cases of the West Nile virus.
WRITING IN THE WORLD
Commas between the last two items in a series
Whether you should insert a comma between the last two items in a series depends on what kind of writing you're doing. In newspapers and magazines, the comma is typically omitted; however, academic, business, and professional writing includes a comma before the last series item. Omitting the comma sometimes causes confusion.
Journalistic convention
I thank my parents, Robert Pirsig and Harley-Davidson for my outlook on life.
Academic convention
I thank my parents, Robert Pirsig, and Harley-Davidson for my outlook on life.
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COMMAS WITH COORDINATE ADJECTIVES
Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives that each modify the same noun independently. Coordinate adjectives that are not linked by and must be separated by a comma.
After the NASDAQ bubble burst in 2000 and 2001, the Internet technology companies that remained were no longer the fresh-faced, giddy kids of Wall Street.
Distinguish coordinate adjectives
You can recognize coordinate adjectives by reversing their order; if their meaning remains the same, the adjectives are coordinate and must be linked by and or separated by a comma. In the following example when the order of the adjectives changes, the description of lifestyles retains the same meaning:
Because border collies are bred to herd sheep, their energetic temperament may not suit city dwellers' more sedentary, staid lifestyles.
Because border collies are bred to herd sheep, their energetic temperament may not suit city dwellers' more staid, sedentary lifestyles.
Do not use commas to link cumulative adjectives
Commas are not used between cumulative adjectives. Cumulative adjectives are two or more adjectives that work together to modify a noun: deep blue sea, inexpensive mountain bike. If reversing their order changes the description of the noun (or violates the order of English, such as mountain inexpensive bike), the adjectives are cumulative and should not be separated by a comma.
The following example doesn't require a comma in the cumulative adjective series massive Corinthian.
Visitors to Rome's Pantheon pass between the massive Corinthian columns flanking the front door.
We know they are cumulative because reversing their order to read Corinthian massive would alter the way they modify columns--in this case, so much so that they no longer make sense.
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COMMAS WITH QUOTATIONS
Properly punctuating quotations with commas can be tricky unless you know a few rules about when and where to use commas.
When to use commas with quotations
Commas set off phrases that attribute quotations to a speaker or writer, such as he argues, they said, and, she writes.
"When you come to a fork in the road," said Yogi Berra, "take it!"
If the attribution follows a quotation that is a complete sentence, replace the period that normally would come at the end of the question with a comma.
Incorrect "Simplicity of language is not only reputable but perhaps even sacred." writes Kurt Vonnegut.
Correct "Simplicity of language is not only reputable but perhaps even sacred," writes Kurt Vonnegut.
When an attribution is placed in the middle of a quotation, put the comma preceding the attribution within the quotation mark just before the phrase.
Incorrect "Nothing is at last sacred", wrote Emerson in his 1841 essay, "but the integrity of your own mind."
Correct "Nothing is at last sacred," wrote Emerson in his 1841 essay, "but the integrity of your own mind."
When not to use commas with quotations
Do not replace a question mark or exclamation point with a comma.
Incorrect "Who's on first," Abbott asked Costello.
Correct "Who's on first?" Abbott asked Costello.
Not all phrases that mention the author's name are attributions. When quoting a term or using a quotation within a subordinate clause, do not set off the quotation with commas.
"Stonewall" Jackson gained his nickname at the First Battle of Bull Run when General Barnard Bee shouted to his men that Jackson was "Standing like a stone wall."
Even a quotation that is a complete sentence can be used in a subordinate clause. Such quotations should not be set off with commas. Pay special attention to quotations preceded by that, which, and because; these words are the most common indicators of a subordinate clause.
It was Benjamin Franklin's conviction that "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
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COMMAS WITH DATES, NUMBER, TITLES, AND ADDRESSES
Some of the easiest comma rules to remember are the ones we use every day in dates, numbers, personal titles, place names, direct address, and brief interjections.
Commas with dates
Use commas to separate the day of the week from the month and to set off a year from the rest of the sentence.
March 25, 1942
Monday, November 18, 2002
On July 27, 2007, the opening ceremony of the World Scout Jamboree will be televised.
Do not use a comma when the month immediately precedes the year.
12 June 2988
April 2008
Commas with numbers
Commas mark off thousands, millions, billions, and so on.
16,500,000
However, do not use commas in street addresses or page numbers.
page 1542
7602 Homo Street
Commas with personal titles
When a title follows a person's name, set the title off with commas.
Roy Jones, Jr.
Marcus Welby, MD
Jackie Hart, Vice President for Operations, reported that her company's earnings were far ahead of projections.
Commas with place names
Place a comma between street addresses, city names, state names, and countries.
Caracas, Venezuela
Lima, Peru
Write to the president at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20500
Commas in direct address
When addressing someone directly, set off that person's name in commas.
I was happy to get your letter yesterday, Jamie.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Pedo Bear
Commas with brief interjections
Use commas to set off brief interjections like yes and no, as well as short questions that fall at the end of sentences.
The director said that, no, the understudy would not have to stand in for the lead tonight
Have another piece of pie, won't you?
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COMMAS TO AVOID CONFUSION
Certain sentences can confuse readers if you do not indicate where they should pause within the sentence. Use a comma to guide a reader through these usually compact constructions.
Unclear With supplies low prices of gasoline and fuel oil will increase.
This sentence could be read as meaning With supplies, low prices will increase.
Clear With supplies, low prices of gasoline and fuel oil will increase.
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UNNECESSARY COMMAS
Do not place a comma between a subject and a predicate
Incorrect American children of immigrant parents, often do not speak their parents' native language.
Correct American children of immigrant parents often do not speak their parents' native language.
However, you do use commas to set off modifying phrases that separate subjects from verbs.
Incorrect Steven Pinker author of The Language Instinct argues that the ability to speak and understand language is an evolutionary adaptive trait.
Correct Steven Pinker, author of The Language Instinct, argues that the ability to speak and understand language is an evolutionary adaptive trait.
Do not use a comma with a coordinating conjunction unless it joins two main clauses
Incorrect Susana thought finishing her first novel was hard, but soon learned that getting a publisher to buy it was much harder.
Correct Susana thought finishing her first novel was hard but soon learned that getting a publisher to buy it was much harder.
Correct Susana thought finishing her first novel was hard, but she soon learned that getting a publisher to buy it was much harder.
Do not use a comma after a subordinating conjunction such as although, despite, or, while
Incorrect Although, soccer is gaining popularity in the States, it will never be as popular as football or baseball.
Correct Although soccer is gaining popularity in the States, it will never be as popular as football or baseball.
Do not use a comma before than
Some writers mistakenly use a comma with than to try to heighten the contrast in a comparison.
Incorrect Any teacher will tell you that acquiring critical thinking skills is more important, than simply memorizing information.
Correct Any teacher will tell you that acquiring critical thinking skills is more important than simply memorizing information.
Do not use a comma before a list
A common mistake is to place the comma after such as or like before introducing a list.
Incorrect Many hourly workers, such as, waiters, dishwashers, and cashiers, do not receive health benefits from their employers.
Correct Many hourly workers, such as waiters, dishwashers, and cashiers, do not receive health benefits from their employers.
THE END
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Links:
(rewrote it from a book I have and modified some things)
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