|
Comma Errors
The most
frequent errors in SSU student writing are comma mistakes. In
fact, other researchers have found that comma mistakes are the most
frequent errors in all writing. According to Chris
Anson, Robert A. Schwegler, and Marcia F. Muth, “Of all the
punctuation marks in English, the comma is probably the easiest to
misuse” (The Longman Concise Companion 432). While many
readers may not notice certain types of comma errors, comma
errors can be distracting:
America's attention span, is zilch.
Most readers have been taught to
pause when they reach a comma, so the comma between the subject and
verb interrupts the flow of this sentence.
Although "pause at the comma"
may be a a good rule for readers, it is not a good rule for writers.
The rules for comma placement are very complicated. All grammar handbooks provide detailed
instructions for comma use. If you are currently taking
English 1101, 1102, or 1105, you
should refer to Chapter 49 of The Longman Concise Companion
(pages 426-37) when you have questions about using
commas.
If you do not have a grammar
handbook handy and you are looking for a quick "cheat sheet" for
comma rules, the information below may help you. The
following four comma "rules" are adapted from Sheridan Baker's The
Practical Stylist, a book which attempts to provide simplified
rules for grammar and punctuation while avoiding linguistic jargon.
Use commas to set off:
1.
INTRODUCERS,
2.
COORDINATORS,
3.
INSERTERS, and
4.
LINKERS.
Put a comma after words, phrases, or clauses used to
introduce a sentence.
Examples
-
Unfortunately, he failed again.
[The word
Unfortunately introduces the sentence.]
-
Unfortunately for Herbert, the price went up the day before
he bought his ticket.
[The phrase
Unfortunately for Herbert introduces the sentence.]
-
After the final, stop by my office and pick up your work.
[The phrase After the final introduces the sentence.]
-
After the final stop, you must get off the train.
[The
phrase After the final stop introduces the sentence.]
-
At the beginning of June, we will take the trip.
[The phrase
At the beginning of June introduces the sentence.]
-
At the beginning of June and John’s wedding, the flower girl
fled from the church.
[The phrase
At the beginning of June and John’s wedding introduces
the sentence.]
-
Before you go, back the car out of the driveway.
[The clause
Before you go introduces the sentence.]
-
Before you go back, drop off the luggage.
[The clause Before you go back introduces the sentence.]
Put a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, yet, or
still whenever you use any of these words (technically
called coordinating conjunctions) to join two independent
clauses (segments of text that could stand as complete,
grammatical sentences). The comma warns readers that what
follows could be a complete sentence. Therefore, do not use a comma
before a coordinating conjunction that introduces only a word, phrase, or
dependent clause unless the comma is needed to fulfill a separate
comma rule.
Examples
This and
joins two “sentences” (independent clauses). The text would still be mechanically correct
if the and were replaced with a period or a semicolon:
He ran home. He
changed clothes before the meeting.
He ran home; he
changed clothes before the meeting.
This and
does not join two “sentences.” The text would be incorrect if the
and were replaced with a period or a semicolon:
He ran home.
Changed clothes before the meeting.
He ran home;
changed clothes before the meeting.
But joins two independent clauses:
She was angry. She kept her temper
under control.
Or joins two independent clauses:
Fasten the panel with a screw. It will
come loose later.
Or joins two words:
Fasten the panel with a
screw. Nail.
For joins two independent clauses:
He loved her. He recognized her inner
beauty.
For does not join two independent clauses:
He loved her. One
night.
Remember, however, that you may need a comma before a coordinating
conjunction to fulfill a separate comma rule.
Sometimes, for example, you may need a comma before a coordinating conjunction--even
one that introduces a word, phrase, or dependent clause--to
help your readers understand your point. In some
circumstances, a comma before but can
alert your readers that a surprising contrast is coming. (See
Linkers.)
Jane was angry but calm.
[If your readers
would expect Jane to remain calm, even when she is angry, there is
no need for a comma.]
Jane was angry, but calm.
[If your readers
would expect Jane to behave like a raving lunatic when angry, you do
want to add a comma.]
Use a pair of commas to set off a word, phrase, or clause
that interrupts the main idea.
May
2, 2008, will be the last day of the spring semester, but finals
won’t end until May 9.
[The 2008
clarifies the meaning of the sentence, but the core independent
clause is May 2 will be the last day of the spring semester.]
Portsmouth, Ohio, has a floodwall covered with murals.
[The
Ohio clarifies that you are not writing about a city in New
Hampshire, Iowa, Rhode Island, or Virginia. The core sentence is Portsmouth has a floodwall
covered with murals.]
I know, however, that the movie started late.
[The however
helps readers process the text, but it does not change the meaning of
the core sentence. When you have a transitional word like
however in a sentence, try moving it around to see whether it
should be set off with commas. In this case, However, I know
that the movie started late and I know that the movie started
late, however both work, too, so the commas are necessary. In
contrast, in the sentence There’s no rush; take however long you
need, the however is not set off by commas because
however is
in a fixed place in the sentence.]
Gordon is, by the way, next in line. [The core sentence is
Gordon is next in line.]
Make sure that the inserted
information is not essential to the meaning of the core
sentence before you surround it with commas.
My nephew, who is six, rides the bus
to school. [If you are
writing about only one nephew, this clause is extra information and
should be enclosed in commas.]
My nephew who is six rides the bus
to school. [If you are
writing about two or more nephews, who is six is essential
information: The only way readers will understand which specific
nephew you are referring to in this sentence is if you include the clause.]
The software, which
came with the computer, was useless.
[If the only
software you are writing about is that which came with the computer,
which came with the computer is nonessential information that
needs to be enclosed in commas.]
The software that
came with the computer was useless.
[If you are also
writing about software that was purchased separately from the
computer, that came with the computer is essential
information and must not be enclosed in commas.
Important note: Who-clauses describe people.
Some who-clauses contain essential information; some contain
non--essential information. As a writer, it is your job to decide what
type of information is in a who-clause in order to determine whether
commas are necessary. Which-clauses and that-clauses
describe things. Use a that-clause to provide essential
information; do not surround a that-clause with
commas. Use a which-clause to provide nonessential
information; do surround a which-clause with commas.]
Use a comma to link on additional phrases
(afterthoughts) or items in a series. Do not use a comma
when adding a dependent clause to the end of a sentence. (A
dependent clause is usually a group of words that includes a
subject, a verb, and some word that warns readers that this section
of text is not a complete thought. She hated him is a
sentence or independent clause. Because she hated him is a
dependent clause; the because lets readers know this isn’t
the whole thought.)
She fell down the stairs, having
twisted her ankle.
She fell down the stairs, broke her
leg, and wound up in the hospital.
[There are three items in a series
here: (1) fell down the stairs, (2) broke her leg, (3)
wound up in the hospital. If you had a pair—instead of a
series—of items, you would not use a comma: She fell down
the stairs and wound up in the hospital.]
She fell down the stairs, breaking
her leg and wrenching her back.
She fell down the old, creaky,
broken-down stairs.
She fell down the stairs because she
twisted her ankle. [Because
she twisted her ankle is a dependent clause that comes at the
end of a sentence. Because of its position in the sentence, it is
not separated from the independent clause with a comma.]
Because she twisted her ankle, she
fell down the stairs. [Because
she twisted her ankle is a dependent clause that comes at the
beginning of a sentence. Because it is an
introducer, it must be
separated from the independent clause with a comma.]
|
