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Editing Review
Fun with Commas!
Dependent/Independent Clauses
A dependent clause has both a subject (noun) and a predicate (verb), but it cannot stand alone as a sentence. It needs something
else to complete the thought.
If a sentence starts with a dependent clause, a comma needs to go at the end of the introductory clause.
A comma is not needed if the dependent clause goes at the end of the sentence.
When you notice a dependent clause starts a sentence , you know to put a comma.
You know you don’t need a comma when an independent clause begins the sentence.
Restrictive (essential) clauses/ Non-restrictive (non-essential) clauses
Restrictive/essential clauses are clauses that identify something essential in the sentence. Without the restrictive clause, the
sentence does not make sense. Restrictive/essential clauses never have commas.
The man who just ate three hot dogs with extra chili is my Uncle Bobby.
Non-restrictive/non-essential clauses are clauses that do not restrict the meaning of the sentence; they just add extra information.
Non-restrictive/non-essential clauses are always set off with commas.
My Uncle Bobby, who just ate three hot dogs with extra chilly, is currently indisposed.
Coordinating Conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
When coordinating conjunctions join two independent clauses, they need commas in front of them.
I live in a very nice neighborhood, and my neighbors are exceptionally neighborly.
,
My mother is an exceptional cook and she is also an exceptional eater.
When coordinating conjunctions join smaller grammatical units, such as phrases or single word, no comma is required. In other
words, a comma would be wrong in such cases.
I love my neighborhood but not my neighbors.
Bob is an exceptional athlete but not much else.
If a conjunction is linking a final item with a list of items, place a comma in front of the conjunction.
He is not smart, handsome, well-connected, or rich.
The cake is beautiful, delicious, and deadly.
Introductory Elements
Set off introductory elements, including participle phrases, with commas.
Taking a shortcut, the wolf easily beat Red Riding Hood to Grandmother’s house.
Surprisingly, she said she would love to go on a date.
Not surprisingly, she said she would love to go on a date with someone besides me.
Losing themselves in conversation, the couple was unaware of oncoming train.
Although introductory participles (verbs acting as adjectives) should be set off with commas, when a verb acts as a noun (a gerund)
noun, it should not be set off by commas.
Taking a short cut is faster than not taking a short cut but slower than not going at all.
Loosing themselves in conversation was one of their favorite things to do.
Dates
Separate the date from the year with a comma. December 07, 1941
Addresses
If writing an address in sentence form, separate each element with a comma. 710 West San Augustine, Deer Park, TX, 77536
Capitalization Rules
Capitalize family relationships when used as proper nouns. In other
words, when a relative’s title is being used in place of a name or as
part of a name, it should be capitalized.
My Uncle Bob is awesome.
My uncle is awesome.
Isn’t Mom swell?
Your mom wears combat boots.
I think your grandpa smells funny.
I think Grandpa has stopped breathing.
Capitalize a title when it precedes a name
The only title that gets capitalized when it is not part of a name is
the a title of a high ranking official, such as the President of the
United States or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is
capitalized.
I saw Governor Perry on television last night.
The governor of Texas seemed a little confused.
I think the Chief Justice is swell.
I saw Chief Justice Roberts’ bald spot.
What does the President think?
What does Dr. Jones think?
Capitalize months but not seasons
January, February, spring, summer, fall
Capitalize specific branches of government but not the government
in general
The federal government
The government of the United States
The Federal Bureau of Investigations
My uncle works for the government, I think in the F.B.I.
Capitalize languages and specific locations
French, France, Morocco, Deer Park, Swahili, Vatican City, Belize,
Yiddish, Palestine, Alberta, Transylvania,
Czech Republic, Latin
Capitalize specific course titles but not general subjects unless the
subject is also a language
Chemistry, Chemistry I A, biology, French, history, computer science,
Computer Science 1301, algebra, Algebra II A
Simple Usage Rules in No Particular Order
Effect/Affect
Effect is a noun, describing the result of a cause.
Affect is a verb, an action that creates the result.
What effect did the movie have on you?
I must admit, that movie affected me quite a bit.
One effect of the medicine was that it affected my sweat glands in a
way I had not anticipated.
The speech had no effect on the audience.
Their teeth gnashing, eyes rolling, and voices wailing, the teachers
seemed disproportionately affected by summer’s approach.
Excess/Access
Excess means going beyond what is normal or sufficient.
Access means the right or ability to use.
Even though you have access to the refrigerator, you should not eat
an excessive amount.
Except/Accept
Except means to leave out, to omit.
Accept means to receive.
Everyone graciously accepted the news except Sally.
Breathe/Breath
Breathe is a verb meaning the act of respiring, of taking breaths.
Breath is a noun meaning a single intake of air.
I held my breath as I waited for Grandpa to breathe.
Than/Then
Than is used to compare; this is better than that.
Then establishes sequence or time; this happened, and then that
happed.
Once I played a lot of football; then I discovered marbles, which
proved to be much more challenging than football.
Suppose/Supposed
Supposed means to be obligated; to have responsibility.
He was supposed to clean his room.
Suppose means to guess or to theorize.
I suppose you’re right; he was supposed to clean his room.
Their/There/They’re (Possessive, location, contraction)
Their is possessive. I saw their new car.
There means in, at, or to that place or position. There is all about
location. Hey, there goes the new car.
They’re is a contraction of they are.
They’re going to buy a new car.
There they are in their new car they’re always bragging about.
Its/It’s (Possessive/Contraction)
Its is a possessive pronoun. The donkey lost its tail.
It’s is a contraction of it is. It’s not where you start but where you
quit.
It’s a tragic story about a donkey losing its tail.
Your/You’re (Possessive/Contraction)
Your is a possessive pronoun. I like your sister.
You’re is a contraction of you are. I think you’re swell.
You’re going to regret not doing your best.
15 commonly misspelled words
separate, necessary, successful, because, beautiful, whether,
accommodate, subtle, occurrence, across, independence, dependent,
bargain, exaggerate, embarrassment