[stylist] Comma rules

[Donna Hill]

I was thinking of it as an implied object. Aren't sentences defined as a
subject and a verb? 
Donna 

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2013 11:43 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Comma rules

Donna,

Because in order to use a semi colon, the following section has to be a
complete sentence. So if it were to  be, "You're one of the Senatores best
friends; are you not a good friend?" then the semi colon would be
appropriate. If not a complete sentence, a comma is used.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Donna Hill
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2013 10:19 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Comma rules


Bridgit,
A mostly excellent summation of the rules for using commas. A few things hit
me, including your adherence to the Oxford comma, which I didn't think had
many American advocates. I am wondering about the following example from
"7." You're one of the senator's close friends, aren't you?
Why isn't this a semicolon? Donna

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2013 8:54 PM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: [stylist] Comma rules

In light of recent post, I'm pasting an extensive guide on comma rules.

1. Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of
these seven coordinating conjunctions:  and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.

The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave.

The student explained her question, yet the instructor still didn't seem to
understand.

Yesterday was her brother's birthday, so she took him out to dinner.

2. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that
come before the main clause.

a. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by
a comma include after, although, as,  because, if, since, when, while.

While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door.

Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class.

If you are ill, you ought to see a doctor.

When the snow stops falling, we'll shovel the driveway.

However, don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent
(subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of  extreme contrast).

INCORRECT: The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating.

CORRECT: She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar.
(This comma use is correct because it is an  example of extreme
contrast.)

b. Common introductory phrases that should be followed by a comma include
participial and infinitive phrases, absolute  phrases, nonessential
appositive phrases, and long prepositional phrases (over four words).

Having finished the test, he left the room.

To get a seat, you'd better come early.

After the test but before lunch, I went jogging.

The sun radiating intense heat, we sought shelter in the cafe.

c. Common introductory words that should be followed by a comma include yes,
however, well.

Well, perhaps he meant no harm.

Yes, the package should arrive tomorrow morning.

However, you may not be satisfied with the results.

3. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses,
phrases, and words that are not essential to the  meaning of the sentence.
Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the
end to indicate the  end of the pause.

Here are some clues to help you decide whether the sentence element is
essential:

.If you leave out the clause, phrase, or word, does the sentence still make
sense? .Does the clause, phrase, or word interrupt the flow of words in the
original sentence? .If you move the element to a different position in the
sentence, does the sentence still make sense? If you answer "yes" to one or
more of these questions, then the element in question is nonessential and
should be set off  with commas. Here are some example sentences with
nonessential elements:

Clause: That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only day when
I am available to meet.

Phrase: This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food, on the other
hand, is rather bland.

Word: I appreciate your hard work. In this case, however, you seem to have
over-exerted yourself.

4. Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as
clauses beginning with that (relative clauses).  That clauses after nouns
are always essential. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action
are always essential.

That clauses after nouns:

The book that I borrowed from you is excellent.

The apples that fell out of the basket are bruised.

That clauses following a verb expressing mental action:

She believes that she will be able to earn an A.

He is dreaming that he can fly.

I contend that it was wrong to mislead her.

They wished that warm weather would finally arrive.

Examples of other essential elements (no commas):

Students who cheat only harm themselves.

The baby wearing a yellow jumpsuit is my niece.

The candidate who had the least money lost the election.

Examples of nonessential elements (set off by commas):

Fred, who often cheats, is just harming himself.

My niece, wearing a yellow jumpsuit, is playing in the living room.

The Green party candidate, who had the least money, lost the election.

Apples, which are my favorite fruit, are the main ingredient in this recipe.

Professor Benson, grinning from ear to ear, announced that the exam would be
tomorrow.

Tom, the captain of the team, was injured in the game.

It is up to you, Jane, to finish.

She was, however, too tired to make the trip.

Two hundred dollars, I think, is sufficient.

5. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written
in a series.

The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial
branches of government.

The candidate promised to lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce
crime, and end unemployment.

The prosecutor argued that the defendant, who was at the scene of the crime,
who had a strong revenge motive, and who  had access to the murder weapon,
was guilty of homicide.

6. Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe
the same noun. Be sure never to add an  extra comma between the final
adjective and the noun itself or to use commas with non-coordinate
adjectives.

Coordinate adjectives are adjectives with equal ("co"-ordinate) status in
describing the noun; neither adjective is  subordinate to the other.
You can decide if two adjectives in a row are coordinate by asking the
following questions:

.Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives are written in reverse
order? .Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives are written with and
between them? If you answer yes to these questions, then the adjectives are
coordinate and should be separated by a comma. Here are some examples of
coordinate and non-coordinate adjectives:

He was a difficult, stubborn child. (coordinate)

They lived in a white frame house. (non-coordinate) She often wore a gray
wool shawl. (non-coordinate) Your cousin has an easy, happy smile.
(coordinate) The 1) relentless, 2) powerful 3) summer sun beat down on them.
(1-2 are coordinate; 2-3 are non-coordinate.)

The 1) relentless, 2) powerful, 3) oppressive sun beat down on them.
(Both 1-2 and 2-3 are coordinate.)

7. Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate
elements or to indicate a distinct pause or  shift.

He was merely ignorant, not stupid.

The chimpanzee seemed reflective, almost human.

You're one of the senator's close friends, aren't you?

The speaker seemed innocent, even gullible.

8. Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer to
the beginning or middle of the sentence. Such  phrases are free modifiers
that can be placed anywhere in the sentence without causing confusion. (If
the placement of the  modifier causes confusion, then it is not "free" and
must remain "bound" to the word it modifies.)

Nancy waved enthusiastically at the docking ship, laughing joyously.
(correct)
INCORRECT:Lisa waved at Nancy, laughing joyously. (Who is laughing, Lisa or
Nancy?) Laughing joyously, Lisa waved at Nancy. (correct) Lisa waved at
Nancy, who was laughing joyously. (correct)
 

9. Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the
month and day), addresses (except the street  number and name), and titles
in names.
 
Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England. July 22, 1959,
was a momentous day in his life. Who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,
Washington, DC? Rachel B. Lake, MD, will be the principal speaker. (When you
use just the month and the year, no comma is necessary after the month or
year: "The average temperatures  for July
1998 are the highest on record for that month.")

10. Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation.
John said without emotion, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"I was able," she answered, "to complete the assignment."

In 1848, Marx wrote, "Workers of the world, unite!"

11. Use commas wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or
misreading.

To George, Harrison had been a sort of idol.

Comma abuse
Commas in the wrong places can break a sentence into illogical segments or
confuse readers with unnecessary and  unexpected pauses.

12. Don't use a comma to separate the subject from the verb.

INCORRECT: An eighteen-year old in California, is now considered an adult.

INCORRECT: The most important attribute of a ball player, is quick reflex
actions.

13. Don't put a comma between the two verbs or verb phrases in a compound
predicate.

INCORRECT: We laid out our music and snacks, and began to study.

INCORRECT: I turned the corner, and ran smack into a patrol car.

14. Don't put a comma between the two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses
in a compound subject or compound  object.

INCORRECT (compound subject): The music teacher from your high school, and
the football coach from mine are  married.

INCORRECT (compound object): Jeff told me that the job was still available,
and that the manager wanted to interview  me.

15. Don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent
(subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of  extreme contrast).

INCORRECT: The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating.
CORRECT: She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar.
(This comma use is correct because it is an  example of extreme
contrast)


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