. . .  COMMAS

 

Speaking Solutions In This Lesson:

·        Use a Comma After an Introductory Expression

·        Use a Comma Before a Coordinating Conjunction

·        Use Commas to Separate Items in a Series

·        Use Commas Before and After the Name of a Person

·        Use Commas Around Words or Phrases Interrupting the Sentence

 

A.  Use a Comma After an Introductory Expression

1.  Use a comma after an introductory expression of five words or more, or after an introductory word or phrase that is abrupt or exclamatory.  This is not a hard-and-fast rule. You have some leeway, but let clarity be your guide—what will make it easiest for your reader? 

Try this:

After a hard day at work, I looked forward to a game of tennis.

Looking like a sad and depressed puppy, Jack walked into the boardroom with this quarter’s sales results.

Because the product had not sold and the economy was down on the East Coast, we closed two manufacturing plants.

Hey, cut that out.

2.         Train your errors and repeat the sentences.  Then, save your file as Comma continue adding answers to this file, using the Save As command to update your file.

 


B.  Use a Comma Before a Coordinating Conjunction

1.  Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, yet, so, nor) when it joins two sentences. Try this:

FYI :  If both sentences are short, some writers will omit the comma when using a coordinating conjunction (I went and I returned). This is stylistic choice. If you are writing a technical work, most experts recommend using the comma.

The CEO went out for lunch, so he took his laptop.

The day looked dark, and I thought it might rain.

A foot of snow fell in the mountains above Boulder, but it rained in the valley.

She wanted to get a good job, yet she wanted to stay home with her children.

 
C.  Use Commas to Separate Items in a Series

1.   Use commas to separate items in a series. A series is three or more words, phrases, or clauses.

FYI: Some authorities say using a comma before the coordinating conjunction (such as the word "and") is not necessary. Leaving the comma out in a case like this can cause confusion, however, especially in business or technical communications. For clarity, do include the last comma (before the coordinating conjunction) in a series of items (He ate peas, oats, carrots, celery, and wheat).

Less Precise:

He needed books, charts, erasers, pens and paper.

More Precise:

He needed books, charts, erasers, pens, and paper.

 

In the morning after a walk, he loved to eat bacon, eggs, and toast.

Employees work better in groups, are happier in a less structured setting, and like a flexible lunch hour.

A good vacation requires financial, emotional, and personal discipline.

 


D.  Use Commas Before and After the Name of a Person

 

1.  Use commas before and after the name of a person spoken to—the person who is addressed directly.

 

“By the way, Mark, you don’t need to learn to use the proper punctuation.”


“Say, Carl, your large monitor makes page design easy.”


“In the meanwhile, Todd, let’s start on that business plan.”

 
 
E.  Use commas around words or phrases interrupting the sentence.

 

1.  Use commas around words or phrases interrupting the sentence.

 

I am, however, going to start taking weekends off.


His car, of course, was the talk of the town.


His business plan, in my opinion, was the best one I’ve seen.

 

2.         Train your errors and repeat the sentences.  Then, resave your Commas file with the Save As command.

 


THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK . . .

Read these sentences in your mind and determine where commas should be placed.   Then say the sentences.  Add these to the answers in your Commas file.   You may need to train some words, names, and phrases as you go along.

FYI:  Correct and train errors as you go.  The more words you train the better your recognition accuracy will become.

His family his country and his personal honor were his first priorities.

Yes you can go after you’ve completed your chores and piano practicing.

I’ve never said anything like that but I don’t know what my actions implied.

No you can’t.

Do you want to work on the mechanics or the content of the report?

The concert included pieces by Bach Beethoven Tchaikovsky and other famous composers.

He came to apply for the job and he was made assistant manager.

She did open the door however and look for the newspaper.

Wanda a friend of the bride is in charge of the reception afterward.

I wondered what he was up to of course but didn’t ask.

It isn’t polite but it’s funny.

 

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