{"id":354,"date":"2014-07-25T20:09:58","date_gmt":"2014-07-25T20:09:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.candelalearning.com\/writershandbook\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=354"},"modified":"2014-07-25T21:15:13","modified_gmt":"2014-07-25T21:15:13","slug":"18-2-avoiding-unnecessary-commas","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/chapter\/18-2-avoiding-unnecessary-commas\/","title":{"raw":"18.2 Avoiding Unnecessary Commas","rendered":"18.2 Avoiding Unnecessary Commas"},"content":{"raw":"&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"im_section\">\r\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\"><span class=\"im_title-prefix\">18.2<\/span> Avoiding Unnecessary Commas<\/h2>\r\n<div class=\"im_learning_objectives im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch18_s02_n01\">\r\n<h3 class=\"im_title\">Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n<ol class=\"im_orderedlist\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch18_s02_l01\">\r\n\t<li>Identify some categories of unnecessary commas.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Avoid using unnecessary commas.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\nTo use or not to use? That is the question when it comes to commas. Just as you want to be sure to use commas in all the correct places, you also want to make sure to avoid using commas when you don\u2019t need them.\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch18_s02_l02\">\r\n\t<li>Do not use commas before a conjunction when the sentence is not compound.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">No comma:<\/strong> Scout thinks Calpurnia is harsh<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> and unfairly gets Atticus on her side.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Do not use a comma before the first and after the last word in a series.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">No comma:<\/strong> The actors<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> Gregory Peck, Phillip Alford, Estelle Evans, Robert Duvall, and Mary Badham<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> play some of the main characters in the <em class=\"im_emphasis\">To Kill a Mockingbird<\/em> movie.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Do not use commas around an appositive if it adds clarity, or new information, to the sentence. For example, in the following sentence, \u201cJoey\u201d identifies which cousin played the part.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">No comma:<\/strong> My cousin<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> Joey<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> once played the part of Atticus Finch.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Do not use a comma to set off an adverb clause that is essential to the sentence\u2019s meaning. Adverb clauses are usually essential when they begin with <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">after<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">as soon as<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">because<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">before<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">if<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">since<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">unless<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">until<\/em>, or <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">when<\/em>.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">No comma:<\/strong> Scout was surprised when Calpurnia kissed her<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> because she didn\u2019t think Calpurnia liked her much.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Do not use a comma around a word that could be viewed as an interjection if using the comma would cause confusion or interruption in the sentence.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">No comma:<\/strong> Scout is<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> basically<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> a tomboy.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Do not use a comma after <strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">although<\/strong>, <strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">such as<\/strong>, or <strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">like<\/strong>.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">No comma:<\/strong> Mayella didn\u2019t seem believable because of her actions, such as<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> changing her mind on the stand.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Do not use a comma after a coordinating conjunction (<em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">and<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">but<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">for<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">nor<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">or<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">so<\/em>, and <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">yet<\/em>).\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">No comma:<\/strong> Jem called Atticus by his first name, so<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> it seemed natural for Jem to do it as well.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Do not use a comma along with a period, question mark, or exclamation point inside of a quotation.\r\n\r\n<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">No comma:<\/strong> \u201cDon\u2019t you remember me, Mr. Cunningham?<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong>\u201d asked Scout.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"im_key_takeaways im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch18_s02_n02\">\r\n<h3 class=\"im_title\">Key Takeaways<\/h3>\r\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch18_s02_l03\">\r\n\t<li>A comma is not needed before a conjunction if the sentence is not compound, before the first word in a series or after the last word in a series, or after an information-adding appositive.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Do not use a comma to set apart an adverb clause that is essential to the meaning of a sentence or an interjection when the comma would interfere with the sentence.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>A comma should not be used after <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">although<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">such as<\/em>, or <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">like<\/em>; after a coordinating conjunction; or along with end punctuation inside a quotation.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"im_exercises im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch18_s02_n03\">\r\n<h3 class=\"im_title\">Exercise<\/h3>\r\n<ol class=\"im_orderedlist\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch18_s02_l04\">\r\n\t<li>For each sentence, add and\/or remove commas (replacing a comma with <strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong>) or indicate that no changes are needed.\r\n<ol class=\"im_orderedlist\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch18_s02_l05\">\r\n\t<li>I had lasagna for dinner and, it was absolutely great!<\/li>\r\n\t<li>My friend Alice is coming over after work.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>My mother is going to pick me up, because my father had to work late.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Tony bought a green skirt, some red shoes, a blue shirt, and a pink belt.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>\u201cThe lake water is very cold!,\u201d said Megan through shivering teeth.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Carrie skated around the room repeatedly and acted like she had been skating her whole life.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;","rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"im_section\">\n<h2 class=\"im_title im_editable im_block\"><span class=\"im_title-prefix\">18.2<\/span> Avoiding Unnecessary Commas<\/h2>\n<div class=\"im_learning_objectives im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch18_s02_n01\">\n<h3 class=\"im_title\">Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n<ol class=\"im_orderedlist\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch18_s02_l01\">\n<li>Identify some categories of unnecessary commas.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid using unnecessary commas.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<p>To use or not to use? That is the question when it comes to commas. Just as you want to be sure to use commas in all the correct places, you also want to make sure to avoid using commas when you don\u2019t need them.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch18_s02_l02\">\n<li>Do not use commas before a conjunction when the sentence is not compound.\n<p><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">No comma:<\/strong> Scout thinks Calpurnia is harsh<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> and unfairly gets Atticus on her side.<\/li>\n<li>Do not use a comma before the first and after the last word in a series.\n<p><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">No comma:<\/strong> The actors<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> Gregory Peck, Phillip Alford, Estelle Evans, Robert Duvall, and Mary Badham<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> play some of the main characters in the <em class=\"im_emphasis\">To Kill a Mockingbird<\/em> movie.<\/li>\n<li>Do not use commas around an appositive if it adds clarity, or new information, to the sentence. For example, in the following sentence, \u201cJoey\u201d identifies which cousin played the part.\n<p><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">No comma:<\/strong> My cousin<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> Joey<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> once played the part of Atticus Finch.<\/li>\n<li>Do not use a comma to set off an adverb clause that is essential to the sentence\u2019s meaning. Adverb clauses are usually essential when they begin with <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">after<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">as soon as<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">because<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">before<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">if<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">since<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">unless<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">until<\/em>, or <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">when<\/em>.\n<p><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">No comma:<\/strong> Scout was surprised when Calpurnia kissed her<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> because she didn\u2019t think Calpurnia liked her much.<\/li>\n<li>Do not use a comma around a word that could be viewed as an interjection if using the comma would cause confusion or interruption in the sentence.\n<p><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">No comma:<\/strong> Scout is<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> basically<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> a tomboy.<\/li>\n<li>Do not use a comma after <strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">although<\/strong>, <strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">such as<\/strong>, or <strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">like<\/strong>.\n<p><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">No comma:<\/strong> Mayella didn\u2019t seem believable because of her actions, such as<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> changing her mind on the stand.<\/li>\n<li>Do not use a comma after a coordinating conjunction (<em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">and<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">but<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">for<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">nor<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">or<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">so<\/em>, and <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">yet<\/em>).\n<p><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">No comma:<\/strong> Jem called Atticus by his first name, so<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong> it seemed natural for Jem to do it as well.<\/li>\n<li>Do not use a comma along with a period, question mark, or exclamation point inside of a quotation.\n<p><strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">No comma:<\/strong> \u201cDon\u2019t you remember me, Mr. Cunningham?<strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong>\u201d asked Scout.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"im_key_takeaways im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch18_s02_n02\">\n<h3 class=\"im_title\">Key Takeaways<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"im_itemizedlist\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch18_s02_l03\">\n<li>A comma is not needed before a conjunction if the sentence is not compound, before the first word in a series or after the last word in a series, or after an information-adding appositive.<\/li>\n<li>Do not use a comma to set apart an adverb clause that is essential to the meaning of a sentence or an interjection when the comma would interfere with the sentence.<\/li>\n<li>A comma should not be used after <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">although<\/em>, <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">such as<\/em>, or <em class=\"im_emphasis im_bolditalic\">like<\/em>; after a coordinating conjunction; or along with end punctuation inside a quotation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"im_exercises im_editable im_block\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch18_s02_n03\">\n<h3 class=\"im_title\">Exercise<\/h3>\n<ol class=\"im_orderedlist\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch18_s02_l04\">\n<li>For each sentence, add and\/or remove commas (replacing a comma with <strong class=\"im_emphasis im_bold\">X<\/strong>) or indicate that no changes are needed.\n<ol class=\"im_orderedlist\" id=\"mccrimmon-ch18_s02_l05\">\n<li>I had lasagna for dinner and, it was absolutely great!<\/li>\n<li>My friend Alice is coming over after work.<\/li>\n<li>My mother is going to pick me up, because my father had to work late.<\/li>\n<li>Tony bought a green skirt, some red shoes, a blue shirt, and a pink belt.<\/li>\n<li>\u201cThe lake water is very cold!,\u201d said Megan through shivering teeth.<\/li>\n<li>Carrie skated around the room repeatedly and acted like she had been skating her whole life.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-354\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Writers Handbook. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Anonymous. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Anonymous. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/2012books.lardbucket.org\/books\/writers-handbook\/\">http:\/\/2012books.lardbucket.org\/books\/writers-handbook\/<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":5,"menu_order":3,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Writers Handbook\",\"author\":\"Anonymous\",\"organization\":\"Anonymous\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/2012books.lardbucket.org\/books\/writers-handbook\/\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by-nc-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-354","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":422,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/354","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/354\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":651,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/354\/revisions\/651"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/422"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/354\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=354"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=354"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=354"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-styleguide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=354"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}