Second Session - Lesson 45

Second session - lesson 45

The serial comma Use a comma to separate words in a series. We need paper, pencils, tape, and paper clips. The comma before the word and is referred to as the serial comma and is omitted in some publications. Most American newspapers follow the Associated Press Style, which specifies that the serial comma should not be used. A majority of grammar guides, however, recommend use of the serial comma to ensure that the final two items in the list are not viewed as a set. Please buy bread, milk, macaroni and cheese, and crackers. Here it is clear that macaroni and cheese is one item. The person is not asking for a package of macaroni and a package of cheese. Without the serial comma, the sentence would read: Please buy bread, milk, macaroni and cheese and crackers.

Salutations If you use the salutation of Dear Xxxx, do not use a comma after the word dear. However, if you directly address the person with a greeting such as hi or hello, you should use a comma. If you use a greeting such as hi or hello, it is a complete sentence and should end with a period. Dear Mr. Smith, Dear John, Hello, Mr. Smith. Hi, John.

Vocative case Proper nouns should be set off by a comma when they are used to address a specific person or group. Where have you been, Jeff? Hi, Anne. It’s important to use a comma before the name when using the vocative case. Without it, you can unintentionally change the meaning of the sentence. Remember the old joke that effectively illustrates how good grammar can save lives. Good: Let’s eat, grandma. Bad: Let’s eat grandma.

Omission of a word You can use a comma to indicate that you’ve intentionally left out a word. This isn’t something you should make a practice of, but it can be a useful writing tool. We were ranked third in the country last year. This year, we’re ranked first. The sentence takes on a different tone if you use a comma to replace a few words in the second sentence. We were ranked third in the country last year; this year, first. Another example: I take my work more seriously than I do my personal life. I take my work seriously; my personal life, not as much.

Dependent adverb clauses A dependent adverb clause tells your reader when, where, why, or under what conditions. It’s not a complete sentence, and it depends on the rest of the sentence to convey its meaning. when I finish this report /because I cannot do this alone /if you finish before me If the dependent adverb clause comes at the beginning of the sentence, it must be followed by a comma. When I finish this report, we can go to lunch. Because I cannot do this alone, I’ve hired two temporary employees. If you finish before me, you can go home early. If the dependent adverb clause comes at the end of the sentence, however, it should not be preceded by a comma. We can go to lunch when I finish this report. I’ve hired two temporary employees because I cannot do this alone. You can go home early if you finish before me.

City, state Use a comma between the name of a city and state. A second comma should be used after the name of the state, unless it is the final word of the sentence. We drove to Mesa, Texas, to visit relatives. We visited relatives in Mesa, Texas.

To avoid confusion Comma usage is not an exact science. Sometimes the best guide is common sense. Use a comma to avoid confusion in a sentence when you intend for the reader to pause or when a word appears twice in a sentence, back to back. Please bring the sign in, in a few minutes. To Paul, Simon was a hero.

Appositives Use a comma to set off non-restrictive appositives. An appositive is a noun that renames the noun it follows. Sue’s husband, Jeff, asked if he could come with us. In the above example, Jeff is the appositive. Always set a non-restrictive appositive off with commas. A non-restrictive appositive is one that, if removed, would not change the meaning of the sentence. Jeff is Sue’s only husband. Removing his name from the sentence would not change its meaning. Restrictive appositives should not be set off with commas. A restrictive appositive is one that, if removed, would change the meaning of the sentence. My friend Shelly is going with us. If you didn't name Shelly, your reader would not know which of your friends you were talking about. It’s essential to the sentence, so no comma is needed.

Comma usage - so Use a comma before the word so if you are using it to mean therefore. We were early for the meeting, so we went for coffee. Do not use a comma after the word so if you are using it to mean so that. We arrived early so we would have time to get some coffee.

Please When you begin a sentence with the word please, it is not set off by a comma. Please let me know if you need any help. When you end a sentence with the word please, however, it is set off by a comma. Let me know if you need any help, please.

Coordinate adjectives Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives. Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives that independently modify a noun. The young, ambitious, talented woman is starting her own business. If you can put the words and or but between the adjectives, they are coordinate adjectives and should be separated by a comma.

Coordinating conjunctions Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses. An independent clause contains a noun and a verb and completes a thought. It can stand alone as a complete sentence. I attended the meeting, but I did not take notes. I attended the meeting is an independent clause. It has a noun, a verb, and it can stand alone as a complete sentence. I did not take notes is also an independent clause. They are joined by the conjunction, “but,” which should be preceded by a comma. The report is due on Friday, and we expect it to be in on time. We had our application in by the deadline, yet we did not receive a confirmation. Common coordinating conjunctions: and—or—but—nor—yet—so—for