Commas for Clear Communication: A Grammar Assignment
Using Commas for Clear Communication
You have been reading about the comma in Chapter 5 and in the “Review the Basics” section of our textbook, pages 395-397. Learning to use the comma in four common sentence constructions will improve your ability to write clear sentences and avoid writing run-ons and unintended fragments.
Review the four common uses of the comma; then complete the exercise below. Save the exercise and submit it to the Dropbox in Week 5.
Use a comma before a conjunction to join two independent clauses (meaning two complete thoughts) into one sentence. (Because there are two complete thoughts, this sentence type is called a compound sentence.) Coordinating conjunctions: and, but, so, or, nor, yet, for.
Example: Your boss may become unhappy with employees for being late, so it is wise to arrive a few minutes early.
Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or dependent clause to separate it from the rest of the sentence
Example: Furthermore, the graduating seniors went on to find jobs in their fields and earn top salaries.
Example: On the night of the graduation, the moon and the stars seemed especially bright.
Example: When we focus on our goals, the little stresses become more bearable.
Use commas around words, phrases, and dependent clauses that interrupt the flow of the sentence and are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.
Example: The lunch break, though only thirty minutes long, is a good time to step outside and breathe some fresh air.
Use commas between items in a series (3 or more).
Example: The employees completed the forms for health insurance, retirement plans, and tax deductions.
Exercise in Using Commas
Please insert commas as required in each of the following sentences. Then on the line before each sentence, type the reason for the comma(s): a, b, c, or d.
To join two independent clauses (along with a conjunction)
To separate an introductory word, phrase, or dependent clause from the rest of the
You have been reading about the comma in Chapter 5 and in the “Review the Basics” section of our textbook, pages 395-397. Learning to use the comma in four common sentence constructions will improve your ability to write clear sentences and avoid writing run-ons and unintended fragments.
Review the four common uses of the comma; then complete the exercise below. Save the exercise and submit it to the Dropbox in Week 5.
Use a comma before a conjunction to join two independent clauses (meaning two complete thoughts) into one sentence. (Because there are two complete thoughts, this sentence type is called a compound sentence.) Coordinating conjunctions: and, but, so, or, nor, yet, for.
Example: Your boss may become unhappy with employees for being late, so it is wise to arrive a few minutes early.
Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or dependent clause to separate it from the rest of the sentence
Example: Furthermore, the graduating seniors went on to find jobs in their fields and earn top salaries.
Example: On the night of the graduation, the moon and the stars seemed especially bright.
Example: When we focus on our goals, the little stresses become more bearable.
Use commas around words, phrases, and dependent clauses that interrupt the flow of the sentence and are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.
Example: The lunch break, though only thirty minutes long, is a good time to step outside and breathe some fresh air.
Use commas between items in a series (3 or more).
Example: The employees completed the forms for health insurance, retirement plans, and tax deductions.
Exercise in Using Commas
Please insert commas as required in each of the following sentences. Then on the line before each sentence, type the reason for the comma(s): a, b, c, or d.
To join two independent clauses (along with a conjunction)
To separate an introductory word, phrase, or dependent clause from the rest of the