Download Commas that set off Parenthetical Expressions

Commas that set off
Parenthetical
Expressions
Remember to keep these notes in the
Grammar Section of your notebook.
Parenthetical Expressions
This rule is simply a collection of four
small rules.
All of them are extra items added to the
sentence.
Put commas on both sides to set it off
from the rest of the sentence.
Parenthetical Expressions
Names of People Being Addressed
Don’t walk your dog here, Larry.
Why would you do that, Larry, after your
accident?
Larry, don’t forget the cheese.
Make sure that the name is just something to
grab the listener’s attention. You must be
talking to someone directly.
Never put commas around a name if it is an
important part of the sentence like the
Subject or Indirect Object.
Flava’ Flav’ sez:
• Notice that we
put commas
around words
added “Fo’
Flava’”
Flava’ Flav’, singer for Public Enemy
Parenthetical Expressions
• Transitional Adverbs: therefore,
however, nevertheless, furthermore.
• Hint: any time you see these four
words, put commas around them.
– Nevertheless, the movie made money.
– The actors, therefore, became famous.
– The cats, however, escaped through the
open door.
Parenthetical Expressions
Contrasting Expressions: “This, not
that”
Mighty Mouse, not Mickey Mouse, is a
super hero.
I want this shirt, not that one.
Brooklyn, not LA, is the original home
of the Dodgers.
Parenthetical Expressions
Common Expressions: “I think”, “I believe”, “of
course”
Only put commas around these words if it is a
little extra information that is added to the
sentence.
The “I” can never be the subject and the
“think/believe” can never be the verb since
those are important parts of the sentence.
If “I think, I believe, of course” come at the
beginning of the sentence, do not put a
comma.
The Lakers, I think, will win.
I think the Spurs will lose. (no comma)
Grammatical Explanation
• “Pickles are delicious, I think.”
• “I think pickles are delicious.”
(grammatically incorrect)
• “I think that pickles are delicious.”
Practice
The mayor I believe will make it an
official holiday.
Mr. Nare may I ask you a question?
Therefore you should never mix vinegar
and baking soda.
Make our reservations for six not
seven.
Answers
The mayor, I believe, will make it an
official holiday.
Mr. Nare, may I ask you a question?
Therefore, you should never mix
vinegar and baking soda.
Make our reservations for six, not
seven.
List of Rules
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Intro (intro material comes first)
Adjectives (comma between 2 adj.)
Series (3 things in a list)
Parenthetical (4 small rules)
Compound (S,V,Conj,S,V)
Where does the comma go, and
what rule is being applied?
I would go swimming but I just ate.
She would not go in the cold deep water.
The dog nevertheless will jump in the
water.
Without a swimsuit I can’t go swimming.
Whenever I swim I always get sunburned.
He would always rather be in the
mountains not the sea shore.
Answers
I would go swimming, but I just ate. (compound)
She would not go in the cold, deep water. (adj
of equal rank)
The dog, nevertheless, will jump in the water.
(parenthetical)
Without a swimsuit I can’t go swimming. (Intro
material – short prep phrase)
Whenever I swim, I always get sunburned.
(Intro material, intro clause)
He would always rather be in the mountains,
not the sea shore. (parenthetical)
Where does the comma go, and
what rule is being applied?
Help I need somebody.
The White Album Abbey Road and Sgt.
Pepper’s are my favorite Beatles albums.
I saw Paul McCartney play and he put on a
great show.
My friend wanted to come but lost her
ticket.
While I was standing in the crowd at the
concert I called her.
Answer
Help, I need somebody. (Intro word)
The White Album, Abbey Road, and Sgt.
Pepper’s are my favorite Beatles albums.
(items in a series)
I saw Paul McCartney play, and he put on a
great show. (compound)
My friend wanted to come but lost her ticket.
(almost a compound but missing 2nd subject)
While I was standing in the crowd at the
concert, I called her. (intro clause)