VB037 Week 11
COMMAS
We use comma in numerous ways, including:
1) Elements in a series
2) Comma plus coordinating conjunction
3) Introductory elements
4) Non-defining clauses
5) Other uses – quotation, avoiding confusion, etc.
Coordinating conjunctions
- Connect parts of a sentence – connect two independent clauses
o Thomas didn’t want to do it, but he did it anyway. – two independent clauses
connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction
- FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
- Almost always accompanied by a comma
- Different from subordinating conjunctions – one of the clauses becomes a subordinate
element (and therefore cannot stand on its own)
o Although Květa thought about joining the army, she never discussed it with anyone.
o Květa never discussed her wish to join the army, because she was afraid people
would ridicule her.
Dependent clauses
- Cannot stand by themselves because they do not make sense.
o Adverb clauses: When the show is over, we can go for a drink.
o Adjective clauses: My sister, who is an engineer, helped me a lot.
o Noun clauses: What he knows is no concern of mine.
Avoiding confusion
 For most the year is already finished.
 For most, the year is already finished.
 Outside the lawn was cluttered with hundreds of broken branches.
 Outside, the lawn was cluttered with hundreds of broken branches.
Exercise 1: Insert commas where necessary.
1) After a hard day at the office I like to relax with a large gin.
2) The recipe needed jam flour sugar fruit eggs ketchup and baking powder.
3) “Look at this” he whispered.
4) Paulina his wife of many years had decided to go and live in Greece.
5) As the sun began to sink over the sea Karen got ready to go out.
VB037 Week 11
6) The thief was wearing impractical high heels so she could not run fast.
7) We go to Blackpool for the cuisine not the weather.
8) Steven his head still spinning walked out of the office for the last time.
Exercise 2: The following sentences are extremely confusing. Insert commas to avoid confusion.
1) Before leaving the soldiers demolished the fort.
2) As she was rising to speak her mind suddenly played a cruel trick and she forgot her speech.
3) Shelley having drowned Byron presided over the funeral ceremonies on the beach.
4) Did the lion eat Fred?
5) Let’s eat grandpa.
Exercise 3: More comma practice.
a) In theory the dark smoke from the burning oil wells absorbs sunlight and the surrounding air
is heated.
b) The anticipation that biological and chemical weapons would be used caused unprecedented
stress for the troops.
c) It seems that she answered the question easily but her answer was actually quite complex.
d) It can be beneficial to register for classes early yet each student must wait his or her turn.
e) Analyzing the data reveals public support of conflict for as environmental issues become a
variable attitudes towards war become more complex.
f) Because of mass destruction to the system sewage overflowed and spread diseases.
g) He could either go to the store or go to the basketball game.
h) I did not want to go to class nor did I want to write that paper.
i) She worried about finding someone to take care of the dog and provide a good home for
him.
j) I did not want to scare him so I did not tell him about the accident.