Commas and Semicolons

Commas and Semicolons

Commas with Non-EssentialsA Non-essential (non-restrictive) clause or phrase contains info that isn’t needed to understand the main idea of the sentence.

Non essentials are set off by commas.

Lydia Cabrera, who was born in Cuba, wrote many books about African-Cuban culture.

Lydia Cabrera wrote many books about African-Cuban culture.

Commas with Non-Essentials

Lee rephrased the question. Lee, noticing my confusion, rephrased

the question.

Did the Senate hearings have a large viewing audience?

Did the Senate hearings, which were televised, have a large viewing audience?

Commas with Non-EssentialsAn essential (restrictive) clause or phrase

contains info that is needed to clearly understand the main idea of the sentence.

These are NOT set off by commas

The students who won the election were called to the office.

Those participating in the blood drive should eat a good breakfast.

Material that is quoted verbatim must be cited in a Works Consulted page.

Essentials vs. Non-EssentialsThink of essentials as “need to know” info;Non-essentials include “nice to know” info.

My brother Mike lives in Seven Pines.essential - if I have multiple brothers, then I need to know which one

My brother, Mike, lives in Seven Pines.non-essential – if I only have one brother, his name isn’t needed

That vs. Which That is used when essential information is

included in a sentence: The side of the house that faces north needs to be

painted. (The side of the house is essential.) That phrases are NOT set off with commas

Which is used with non-essential or extra information is presented in the sentence. The front of the house, which faces south, needs to be

painted. Which phrases ARE set off with commas.

Dan’s car that is parked on the street has a flat tire. (which of Dan’s cars?)

Dan’s red car, which is parked in the garage, has a flat tire. (We know which car – the red one.)The computer that I take with me when travelling is very light.My new computer, which I take with me when travelling, is really easy to use.The master bedroom, which is on the first floor, has several windows.The bedroom that is on the first floor has many windows.

Practice with Non-EssentialsThe White River Bridge which closed today for

resurfacing will reopen in the fall.The White River Bridge, which closed today for

resurfacing, will reopen in the fall. Non-essential: time/reason for closing not important

The symphony that Beethoven called Eroica was composed to celebrate the memory of a specific person.

The symphony that Beethoven called Eroica was composed to celebrate the memory of a specific person. Essential: need to know what symphony.

Practice with Non-EssentialsThe driver sitting on the side of the road had a flat

tire.The driver sitting on the side of the road had a flat

tire. essential: which driver of many?

My car which is seven years old often doesn’t start on cold mornings.

My car, which is seven years old, often doesn’t start on cold mornings. non-essential: age of the car doesn’t matter

Essentials Comma Practice1. The dance which was on Friday was well

attended.2. Highways that have eight lanes are built for

speed and safety.3. The girl who is in the red sweater is our club

president.4. Mrs. Jones trying not to smile offered to help

us with our stage make-up.5. Their youngest daughter loved by everyone is

actually not spoiled at all.6. Every child enrolling in school for the first time

must fill out medical forms.

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End Commas Day 1

Commas in a Series A series is a group of 3 or more items. Use a comma to separate items, including

before and, to ensure clarity.Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate were

available.We elected our class officers: president,

vice-president, secretary and treasurer. (3 or 4 officers?)

We elected our class officers: president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.

Commas in Series If all items are joined by and/or, do not use

commas I bought a tie and a shirt and a hat. Sam or Sally or Tom will call you.

Independent clauses (subject-verb groups) are usually joined by semi-colons, but if they are very short, commas are acceptable The wind blew furiously through the trees;

lightning flashed across the sky; thunder boomed and rolled; rain poured down.

The wind blew, lightning flashed, thunder boomed, and rain poured down.

Consecutive Adjectives Use a comma to separate two consecutive

adjectives describing the same noun. That is a rough, narrow, dangerous road. An arrogant, talkative announcer annoys me.

Comma Practice – other rules1. My favorite cousins are Bonnie Steph Billy

Joe Calvin and Jim.2. George Washington Carver derived from the

peanut items such as ink coffee beauty cream and pigments.

3. She lowered her long curled dark eyelashes.4. It was an unusual attractive floor lamp.5. A wise monkey is supposed to see no evil

hear no evil and speak no evil.6. On the surface of the mountain are round

deep craters and steep rugged mountains.,

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Introductory Elements Use a comma after “extra” words such as

well, yes, no, why, etc. when they begin a sentence No, I have not forgotten. Well, you could have gotten the homework from

teacherweb.

Introductory Elements Use a comma after an introductory

participial phrase Participial phrase = description starting

with an –ed or –ing word. Pausing for a moment in the doorway, the mom

waved to her son. Frightened by the noise, the pigeons flew from

the roof.

Note that the phrase precedes the word it describes.

Introductory Elements Use a comma after 2 or more prepositional

phrases. Near the gate at the end of the lane, Jenny set up

her lemonade stand. Use a comma with one prep phrase as needed

for clarity. In this state taxes are comparatively low. In this state, taxes are comparatively low

Interrupting Elements Use a comma to separate interrupters or

parentheticals: He, of course, won’t be there. Everyone, even his enemies, respects him. To tell the truth, I don’t really like that show.

Use a comma for direct address: Mrs. B-T, may I go to my locker? That question, Jeff, was already answered. Let’s go eat, Grandma.

End here 3/12

More Practice

CLAUSES CLAUSE – a word group that contains a verb

and its subject and is used as part of a sentence

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE – contains a subject & a verb and a complete thought.This means it can stand alone as a sentence. The bell rings to start class every day at school. He stood straight and tall with confidence on the

day of his competition.

CLAUSESSIMPLE SENTENCE – contains one

independent clause. Mrs. B-T loves her job most of the time.I want to see Sweeney Todd next week but

don’t have a babysitter. (1 clause – 1 subject)John and I want to see a movie and go to

dinner. (1 clause – compound subject and compound verb)

CLAUSES – Compound SentenceCOMPOUND SENTENCE – contains two or

more independent clauses

I want to see Sweeney Todd, but I have to find a babysitter first.

I want to see Sweeney Todd but have to find a babysitter first. (only 1 subject=1 clause)

Forming Compound SentencesCoordinating Conjunctions –

used to connect independent clausesForAndNor

But OrYetSo

S + V , CC S + V

Compound SentencesThe freshmen are reading Jekyll & Hyde. The

juniors are starting The Great Gatsby.The freshmen are reading Jekyll & Hyde, and

the juniors are starting The Great Gatsby.Josh and Parker look a lot alike. Parker wears

glasses.Josh and Parker look a lot alike, but Parker

wears glasses.

Compound SentencesI’m going to work at the library this weekend. I

need more evidence for my argument paper.I’m going to work at the library this weekend,

for I need more evidence for my argument paper.

I need more evidence for my argument paper, so I’m going to work at the library this weekend.

Compound SentencesJosh didn’t do his homework. The boys didn’t

pick up their rooms. They may not watch tv.The boys didn’t pick up their rooms, nor did

Josh do his homework.Josh must do his homework, or he may not

watch tv.The boys didn’t pick up their rooms, nor did

Josh do his homework, so they may not watch tv.

End 3/28

Semi-Colon in Compound Sentences

Another option to combine 2 independent clauses is the semi-colon.

Use a semi-colon WITHOUT one of the FANBOYS

The musical begins at 7:30 on Friday; we will meet for dinner at 5:30.

Semi-Colons Sometimes you may want to add a transition

word with you semi-colon. Sally does great with her homework and class

discussions; however, she has trouble with tests. I made other plans for Friday night; anyway, I’ve

already seen that movie. I made other plans for Friday night; I’ve already

seen that movie anyway. You decide if you need a comma after the

transition word depending on if you hear a pause.

End 3/28

Complex SentencesCOMPLEX SENTENCE – contains an

independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses.

The subordinate clause is made less important (dependent) with the use of a subordinate conjunction.

Complex SentencesI got a 3.0 first semester.I was invited to the PNH dessert bar.

Because I got a 3.0 first semester, I was invited to the PNH dessert bar.

I was invited to the PNH dessert bar because I got a 3.0 first semester.

Subordinate ConjunctionsPunctuation rules:

S + V SC S + V.

SC S + V , S + V.If the subordinate clause precedes the independent clause, a comma is needed between the clauses.

You add no punctuation when the subordinate clause follows the independent clause.

Subordinate Conjunctions

NOTE that this list is NOT exhaustive.

For cause & effect

• Because• Since

For intention • In order that• So that

For condition • Although• As if • As though• Even though• If • Unless

Subordinate ConjunctionsNOTE that this list is NOT exhaustive.For time relation As While As soon as When Before Until Whenever After Since

For location Where wherever

Sample SentencesThe curtain call began.The audience broke into applause.

As soon as the curtain fell, the audience broke into applause.

The audience broke into applause when the curtain fell.

REMINDER: EITHER a subordinate conjunction OR a comma will go between the clauses – but not both!

Sample SentencesSam is happy to babysit for the Smith kids.Mrs. Smith always has a full fridge.

Since Mrs. Smith always a has a full fridge, Sam is happy to babysit for the Smith kids.

Sam is happy to babysit for the Smith kids since Mrs. Smith always has a full fridge.

Sample Sentences

He is always broke at the end of the month.He makes over a thousand dollars a week.

Even though he makes over a thousand dollars a week, he is always broke at the end of the month.

He is always broke at the end of the month even though he makes over a thousand dollars a week.