Punctuation and The Comma Help (page 3)

The Comma

The comma is the most misused punctuation mark. Since there are so many comma rules, it is understandable why people become confused about their use. Commas are supposed to help clarify sentences and note the logical pauses. Speaking of clarifying, how would you interpret the following sentence?

She stole money from me and Ralph who lived in the other room complained.

Whom did she steal money from? If the writer meant that he had money stolen from him or her, then the sentence would be clearer if a comma were inserted after me. Then we understand that Ralph had no money stolen from him. He just complained.

The following are some rules you need to know to use the comma correctly.

Rules for Using the Comma

1. To ensure clarity, use commas to separate items in a series.

Clear the bushes, pull the weeds, and plant the spring flowers.

2. Use commas to separate words or groups of words that interrupt the flow of the sentence.

Hubert Humphrey, presidential hopeful, lost the election to Richard Nixon.

Humphrey lost the election, if you recall, by only 1 percent of the popular vote.

3. Use a comma to separate more than one adjective describing the same word.

The flourishing, bright, and imaginative summer garden lasts only a short while.

NOTE: If the word and can be used between the adjectives, you need to use commas.

He wore a heavyweight business suit.

In this example, you cannot use the word and between the adjectives heavyweight and business. Consequently, you should not insert a comma between the two words.

4. Use a comma to separate introductory words from the main part of the sentence, that is, from the part that can stand alone.

Before Michael Jordan retired from basketball, he was my favorite player.

5. Insert a comma when the words nevertheless, however, inasmuch as, and therefore interrupt a complete thought.

Unfortunately for Hubert Humphrey, however, his views on Vietnam alienated him from his former supporters.

Will we ever, therefore, find a way to rationalize that war?

6. Insert a comma to separate two complete thoughts (independent clauses) that are connected by a word such as and, but, nor, yet, for, and or.

The sun rises in the morning, and it sets in the evening.

We had an invitation to an elegant party, but we cancelled when we both got the flu.

NOTE: When the clauses on both sides of the comma are complete thoughts, each could stand alone.

7. Use a comma to separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence.

"When it started raining, did you offer your friends a ride home?" she asked.

He replied, "No, but I waited with them until their bus arrived." "I can understand why you didn't want to insist," she said, "but next time, see if you can convince them to go with you."

8. Use commas to separate the day from the year and the year from the rest of the sentence.

Do you expect to graduate on June 23, 2009?

I graduated on June 23, 2009, and went directly into the Air Force.

9. Use a comma to separate the name of a city from the name of a state or country.

We grew up in Austin, Texas.

My favorite trip was to London, England.

10. A comma is used in both the salutation and the closing of a friendly letter.

Dear Elizabeth,

Sincerely,

Rebecca

11. When a sentence begins with a complete thought followed by an incomplete thought, a comma is not necessary,

Incorrect: I always eat a hearty breakfast, before any activity.

Correct: I always eat a hearty breakfast before any activity.

12. When a sentence has one subject, a comma is not necessary to separate two verbs.

Incorrect: Harry returned to the polling place, and picked up the car keys he had left in the booth.

Correct: Harry returned to the polling place and picked up the car keys he had left in the booth.

Note: Harry is the subject. He did two things, that is, he returned and picked up.

Once again, refer to the preceding rules if you have a question about comma use in the next two exercises. When you reach the final Written Practice, however, try to make all the changes and additions on your own. Of course, check the Answer Key to see how well you did.

Comma Practice and Answers

Practice

In each of the following sentences, insert commas where necessary.

1. Having a new sleek sports car is still just a dream.
2. This summer I'm going to paint the house get estimates for a fence and lose ten pounds.
3. While I waited for the estimator to arrive I looked at many paint colors.
4. A friend of mine a recent graduate is working hard to write an excellent résumé.
5. Your job however will be to finish cleaning the basement.

Answers

Practice

In each of the following sentences, insert commas where needed.

1. I will finish this course on August 15 2010.
2. My best friend lives in Bend Oregon.
3. "I'm telling you to clean your room" Mother insisted.
4. Dear Eileen
   I know that you are eager to hear about my job search so I'll call you on Saturday.
   My best
   Pat
5. When I talked to Tom and Andy I asked them to be in charge of the flashlight batteries barbecue and tent.
6. A detailed lengthy letter explained his options.
7. March a month just before real spring is usually quite cold in New England.
8. Max was nevertheless our best choice for the job.
9. Unfortunately for W.H. Auden however his poems have been misquoted in modern novels.
10. Before our next book club meeting let's read all of his poems.

Answers

Practice

In the following paragraphs, insert or delete commas where necessary.

Paragraph 1

Founded in 1981 as Students Against Driving Drunk SADD's focus initially was to combat teen deaths due to drinking and driving. SADD has expanded its mission and name and now sponsors chapters called Students Against Destructive Decisions. SADD now focuses on prevention of all destructive behaviors and attitudes that are harmful to young people, including underage drinking substance abuse violence reckless driving depression and suicide. SADD's unique approach involves young people delivering education and prevention programming to their peers through school- and community-wide activities and campaigns responsive to the needs of their particular locations. Since its formation SADD has spread to all fifty states Canada New Zealand and many other international locations.*

Paragraph 2

Are you ready for a substitute for the mind-bending compelling puzzle Sudoku? Psychologists now assure us that ten minutes of talking visiting and establishing social contacts boost intellectual performance as much as doing crossword puzzles. A team of researchers asked more than 3,500 people between 24 and 96 years old about their social interactions and tested their memories. One researcher offered "We found the more the social contacts the higher the level of mental functioning."

Paragraph 3

You've heard the 30-minutes-of-exercise-per-day recommendation for some time but you can't seem to fit that into your schedule. Is all hope lost? No say the experts. Will short, spurts of moderate exercise help your fitness level? If you're doing nothing and you decide to walk briskly five days a week or even three days a week for 30 minutes, you will experience positive results. In addition you can do the 30 minutes all at once or in shorter segments of at least 10 minutes each. After three months you'll probably experience lower blood pressure and a smaller waistline.

*Adapted from healthfinder.gov/orgs/HR2094.htm.