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    WC - Punctuating With Commas PDF

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    Hussein Nazzal
    The document discusses the rules for using commas in academic writing. It outlines four main rules: 1) using commas after sentence introducers, 2) using commas with sentence coordinators, 3) using commas for sentence inserters or interrupters, and 4) using commas as linkers in lists. The document provides examples for each rule and notes that careful proofreading is needed to properly apply comma rules.

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    WC - Punctuating With Commas PDF

    Uploaded by

    Hussein Nazzal
    92 views2 pages
    The document discusses the rules for using commas in academic writing. It outlines four main rules: 1) using commas after sentence introducers, 2) using commas with sentence coordinators, 3) using commas for sentence inserters or interrupters, and 4) using commas as linkers in lists. The document provides examples for each rule and notes that careful proofreading is needed to properly apply comma rules.

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    The document discusses the rules for using commas in academic writing. It outlines four main rules: 1) using commas after sentence introducers, 2) using commas with sentence coordinators, 3) using commas for sentence inserters or interrupters, and 4) using commas as linkers in lists. The document provides examples for each rule and notes that careful proofreading is needed to properly apply comma rules.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    92 views2 pages

    WC - Punctuating With Commas PDF

    Uploaded by

    Hussein Nazzal
    The document discusses the rules for using commas in academic writing. It outlines four main rules: 1) using commas after sentence introducers, 2) using commas with sentence coordinators, 3) using commas for sentence inserters or interrupters, and 4) using commas as linkers in lists. The document provides examples for each rule and notes that careful proofreading is needed to properly apply comma rules.

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    Punctuating with commas

    The comma (,) is used to indicate a short pause in a sentence. This pause helps to make the
    meaning clear to the reader. There are many rules for using commas. Most academic writing tasks
    use the following rules for using commas:
    1. Use commas after sentence introducers
    2. Use commas with sentence coordinators
    3. Use commas for sentence inserters or interrupters
    4. Use commas as a linkers in lists

    :
    GRAMMAR CHECKERS will NOT help you much with your commas. Sometimes, you will see
    a green line to warn you to check for missing commas. This is a useful signal but may be
    incorrect or it may miss them altogether. You will need to proofread your work yourself and
    apply the rules for using commas correctly in your writing.

    1. Use commas after sentence introducers


    If a sentence starts with an adverb or transition word, phrase or clause, you will need a comma to
    separate it from the main clause.
    Examples
    ü (adverb) Recently, the smoking laws changed to prohibit adults from smoking in the
    presence of children in vehicles.
    ü (transition word) Consequently, most adult smokers changed their behaviour when
    travelling with children.
    ü (phrase) Until 2008, society criticised the habit of smoking in vehicles with child
    passengers instead of legislating against the practice.
    ü (dependent clause) Unless there is government legislation to protect the health of
    children, some adults are not prepared to sacrifice their smoking habits for the welfare of
    their underage passengers.

    2. Use commas with sentence coordinators


    ● Rule 1: the comma rule
    If you are joining independent clauses to write compound sentences, use a comma BEFORE
    'and', 'but', 'for', ‘or’, 'nor', 'so', 'yet'.
    Example
    ü Petrol prices are rising daily, and many people are struggling to meet costs in their daily
    lives. Price increases may stimulate a search for a cheaper alternative, but this does not
    always happen.
    ● Rule 2: the semicolon and comma rule
    If you are joining independent clauses to write compound sentences, use a semicolon BEFORE
    and a comma AFTER connecting conjunctions like 'also', 'however', 'instead', 'meanwhile',
    'moreover', 'namely', 'now', 'otherwise', 'similarly', 'still', 'then', 'therefore', 'thus'.
    Example
    ü The government made desperate attempts to control petrol prices; meanwhile, families
    and businesses suffered economic hardship.

    Teaching and Learning Support (TaLS) – Fact Sheets


    http://www.une.edu.au/current-students/resources/academic-skills/fact-sheets
    3. Use commas for sentence inserters or interrupters
    When you insert a non-restrictive (non-essential information) word, phrase or relative clause into
    the MIDDLE of sentences, use a pair of commas to separate the information.
    Examples
    ü (word) The highest mountain, Kosciuszko, was covered in snow during the winter months.
    It was, however, a sea of wild flowers and native plants in summer. The great mountain
    climber, Jack Peterson, visited the area in all seasons.
    ü (phrase) The climbers, mostly from Victoria, faced the harshest conditions on their trek
    across the mountain peak.
    ü (clause) The alpine rangers, who were really quite fearless, rescued many lost
    mountaineers. The conditions, which were often hazardous, did not daunt them.

    EXCEPTION
    You DO NOT use a pair of commas if the information in the inserter is ESSENTIAL to the
    meaning of the sentence (RESTRICTIVE ELEMENT).
    Example
    (restrictive clause) The mountain climbers who were lost in the snow storm were found the next
    day huddled in a makeshift snow shelter. (No commas required because the inserter who were lost
    in the snow storm is essential to the meaning of the sentence.)

    4. Use commas as linkers in lists


    When you are listing items in a series, use a comma to link each item. Do NOT use a comma for
    the last two items joined by 'and' unless longer list items are confusing. Also, if you add information
    to the end of a sentence, use a comma to link the added information to the rest of the sentence.
    Examples
    ü (items in a series) Plastics, glass bottles, paper and tins were listed for the recycling of
    waste program in the local community. (NOTE: no comma between items joined by 'and')
    ü (items in an extended series) The project was supported by the local residents, district
    clubs and community groups, and the neighbourhood schools. (NOTE: a comma is
    used before 'and' if the meaning is not clear in longer list items)
    ü (item added to the end of a sentence) The local council set up a recycling program as part
    of its environmental rejuvenation project, which could work well if community members
    cooperate.

    I DO NOT use UNNECESSARY COMMAS


    Î DO NOT put a comma between the subject and its verb (e.g. Government policies about
    conservation in Australian states, (X no comma) vary considerably.
    Î DO NOT use a comma before and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet if you use the word ‘that’ (e.g. Many
    Australian politicians realise that some State conservation laws are ineffectual, (X no comma)
    and that these laws would be more potent if they were moved to a Commonwealth jurisdiction.
    Î DO NOT use commas to attach dependent adverbial clauses to the end of an independent
    clause. (e.g. Conservation laws were passed back to the Commonwealth, (X no comma)
    because State laws were inconsistent.)

    Teaching and Learning Support (TaLS) – Fact Sheets


    http://www.une.edu.au/current-students/resources/academic-skills/fact-sheets

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