Download File

Grammar Punk
Comma Rules
• Use a comma between two independent
clauses that are joined by a conjunction.
• For conjunctions: Remember FANBOYS
• For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
• Grammar Punk™ Example: S A 3 Conj|
Sandwiches are Stan’s favorite, but Natasha
prefers strawberry cheesecake.
• Independent clause: a simple sentence—
contains a subject and predicate; makes sense
by itself/can stand alone
Comma Rule #1
• Use a comma to separate two adjectives
that modify the same noun.
• Grammar Punk™ Example: C I 4 Adj|
Deciding to pass on the spicy, incendiary
Kung Pao, she reached for the fried rice.
Comma Rule #2
• The man who is wearing the red hat is my
science teacher.
• Check it out...If you take the adjective clause
out of this sentence, can you still tell me which
man is the science teacher? > ESSENTIAL
• Mr. Smith, who is wearing the red hat, is my
science teacher.
• The adjective clause is not needed in order to
identify the referent (what we are talking
about). It is simply additional information >
NONESSENTIAL
Essential and Nonessential Clauses
• Use commas to separate parenthetical or
interrupting elements within a sentence.
• Grammar Punk™ Example: L E 4 Adj|
Whenever Kyle listens to his pink iPod,
which he stole from his sister, he loses track
of time.
 Interrupting elements: such as “for example,”
“however,” “nevertheless,” “regardless,” etc.
 Adjective clauses: modify nouns; begin with a relative
pronoun (who, whom, whose, that, or which) or a relative
adverb (when, where, why)
 Use commas when the clause is nonessential!
Comma Rule #3
• Use commas to set off appositives (noun or noun
phrase that renames the noun right beside it).
• Grammar Punk™ Example: M E 3
Conj|Rosemary, a taxidermist and doll collector,
has a beautiful home.
Comma Rule #4
• Use commas to separate individual words,
phrases, or clauses in a series.
• Grammar Punk™ Example: T A 4 Adv|
Strangely enough, the box contained four
carrots, two cats, and a wristwatch.
Comma Rule #5
• Use a comma after an introductory phrase
or clause.
• Prepositional phrase
• Adverbial clause (subordinate clause)
• Grammar Punk™ Example: R E 2 Adj|
After work, all Heather wants is a hot
meal.
Comma Rule #6
Adverbial/Subordinate Clauses
An adverb clause will meet three requirements:
① First, it will contain a subject and verb.
② You will find a subordinate conjunction that keeps the
clause from expressing a complete thought.
③ You will notice that the clause answers one of these
three adverb questions: How? When? or Why?
after
although
as
until
before
even if
even though
whereas
in order that
because
unless
wherever
once
since
when
while
provided that
so that
whenever
why
• Use commas to set off items in a date.
• Grammar Punk™ Example: R A 3 Adj|
Jennings had an unreasonable fear of the
date March 16, 1976.
Comma Rule #7
• Use commas to set off items in an address.
• Grammar Punk™ Example: T E 5 Prep|
The Caterpillar Collector’s Quartet meets
at 2626 West Avenue, American Fork,
Utah, every Tuesday.
Comma Rule #8
• Use commas to set off the speaker’s exact
words from the rest of the sentence.
• Grammar Punk™ Example: D O 4 Pro|
She scowled, “Would you please put down
that doorknob?”
Comma Rule #9
• Use commas to set off mild interjections.
• Grammar Punk™ Example: M I 4 Pro|
Yep, the image of Imogene in that
swimsuit will be with me for time
immemorial.
Comma Rule #10
• Use commas to separate numerals in large
numbers.
• Grammar Punk™ Example: N A 3 Interj|
“Hey!” he demanded, “We need exactly 6,
237 chainsaws, 4 axes, and 3,456 fake
eyeballs for the haunted house.”
Comma Rule #11
• Use commas in a direct address.
• Grammar Punk™ Example: D A 2 Pro|
Dave, are you just going to stand there?
Comma Rule #12
• Use commas to avoid a misreading.
• Grammar Punk™ Example: P E 2 Adj|
When you expect the worst, the worst
happens.
Comma Rule #13