CentroBolivianoAmericano

AIT6B

JuanCarlosToroBloch

COMBININGSENTENCES
The simple sentence, the most basic sentence in the English language, can be exceptionally useful and
powerful. Some of the greatest statements in literature have been presented in the simple sentence. Its
strength is in its singleness of purpose. However, a piece of writing made up of a long series of simple
sentencesislikelytobemonotonous.Moreover,theformmaysuggestaseparatenessofideasthatdoes
notserveyourpurposewell.Ifyourideasarecloselyrelated,someequalinimportanceandsomenot,you
cancombinesentencestoshowtherelationshipsbetweenyourideas.

COORDINATION:THECOMPOUNDSENTENCE
If you intend to communicate two equally important and closely related ideas, you certainly will want to
placethemclosetogether,probablyinacompoundsentence.

Supposewetaketwosimplesentencesthatwewanttocombine:
Iamverytired.Iworkedveryhardtoday.

We have already looked at coordinating conjunctions as a way of joining independent clauses to create
compoundsentences.Dependingonwhichcoordinatingconjunctionyouuse,youcanshowdifferentkinds
of relationships. (The following list is arranged according to the FANBOYS acronym. Only the first
conjunctionjoinstheoriginaltwosentences.)

Forshowsareason:
Iamverytired,forIworkedveryhardtoday.

Andshowsequalideas:
Iamverytired,andIwanttorestforafewminutes.

Norindicatesanegativechoiceoralternative:
Iamnottired,noramIhungryrightnow.

Butshowscontrast:
Iamverytired,butIhavenotimetorestnow.

Orindicatesachoiceoranalternative:
Iwilltakeanap,orIwillgooutjogging.

Yetindicatescontrast:
Iamtired,yetIamunabletorelax.

Sopointstoaresult:
Iamtired,soIwilltakeanap.

PunctuationwithCoordinatingConjunctions
When you combine two sentences by using a coordinating conjunction, drop the first period, change the
capitalletterthatbeginsthesecondsentencetoasmallletter,andinsertacommabeforethecoordinating
conjunction.

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JuanCarlosTo
oroBloch

Semicolon
nsandConjunctiveAdverbs
In the pre
evious sectio
on, we saw that
t
a semiccolon can joi n independeent clauses to make a co
ompound
sentence. Herearetwo
omoresimple
esentencesttocombine:

Wewerelate.
W
Wemissedth
hefirstact.

Wecanm
makeonecom
mpoundsentenceoutofthembyjoininggthetwoclau
useswithaseemicolon:

wemissedth
Wewerelate;
W
hefirstact.

Wecanalsousewordscalledconjunctiveadverbsaftersem
micolonstom
maketherelaationshipbetw
weenthe
twoclause
esclearer.Lo
ookathowtheconjunctive
eadverbtherreforeaddsth
heideaofassaresult.

therefore,we
Wewerelate;
W
emissedthefirstact.

Conjunctivve adverbs include the following

f
words and phraases: also, co
onsequently, furthermoree, hence,
however, in fact, moreover, nevertheless, now
w, on the oth er hand, oth
herwise, soon
n, therefore, similarly,
then,thuss.

Considertthemeaningyouwantwhenyouuseaconjunctiveaadverbtocoo
ordinateideas.

Assaresultof:ttherefore,consequently,h
hence,thus,tthen

To
wise,ontheotherhand
othecontraryyorwithrese
ervation:how
wever,neverthheless,otherw

Inadditionto:moreover,also

To
oemphasizeo
orspecify:infact,forexam
mple

To
ocompare:similarly

PunctuationwithSemicolonsandC
ConjunctiveA
Adverbs
When you
u combine tw
wo sentencess by using a semicolon, rreplace the ffirst period w
with a semicolon and
changeth
hecapitallettterthatbegin
nsthesecond
dsentencetooasmallletteer.Ifyouwish
htouseaconjunctive
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JuanCarlosTo
oroBloch

adverb,in
nsertitaftertthesemicolo
onandputa commaafterrit.(Howeveer,usuallyno commafollo
owsthen,
now,thuss,andsoon.) Thefirstlette
ersoftencom
mmonconjunnctiveadverb
bsmakeupth
heacronymH
HOTSHOT
CAT.

SUBORDIN
NATION:THEECOMPLEXSENTENCE

Whereas a compound
d sentence contains
c
inde
ependent claauses that are equally im
mportant and closely
related, a
a complex se
entence com
mbines ideas of unequal value. The following tw
wo sentencess can be
combined
daseitheraccompoundse
entenceora complexsenttence,depen
ndingonwheetherthewritterthinks
theideasareofequalvvalue.

Myneighborsa
M
areconsideraate.Theyneve
erplayloudm
music.

Combined
dasacompo
oundsentence,suggestinggthattheideeasareofequalvalue,theenewsenten
ncelooks
likethis:

Myneighborsa
M
areconsideraate,andtheyneverplaylooudmusic.
independentcllause

independent clause
(mainnidea)

(mainiidea)

Here are the same tw

wo ideas combined as a co
omplex senteence, suggestting that the ideas are off unequal
value:

Be
ecausemyne
eighborsarecconsiderate,ttheyneverplaayloudmusicc.
de
ependentclau
use

independent clause
(mainnidea)
(lessim
mportantideaa)

Althoughboththecom
mpoundandtthecomplexfformsarecorrrect,thecom
mplexformco
onveystheideasmore
precisely in this sentence because one idea does seem to bbe more imp
portantone idea depend
ds on the
other.

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JuanCarlosToroBloch

Thusifyouhavetwosentenceswithcloselyrelatedideasandoneisclearlymoreimportantthantheother,
considercombiningtheminacomplexsentence.

Comparethesetwoparagraphs:

1.Thisversioncontainssixsimplesentences,implyingthattheideasareofequalvalue:

(1)Iwasveryupset.(2)TheFourthofJulyfireworkswereespeciallyloud.(3)Mydogranaway.(4)
Theanimalcontrolofficermadehismorningrounds.(5)Hefoundmydoginanotherpartoftown.
(6)Iwasrelieved.

2.Thisversionconsistsoftwosimplesentencesandtwocomplexsentences,showingthatsomeideasare
moreimportantthanothers:

(1)Iwasveryupset.(2)BecausetheFourthofJulyfireworkswereespeciallyloud,mydogranaway.
(3)Whentheanimalcontrolofficermadehismorningrounds,hefoundmydoginanotherpartof
town.(4)Iwasrelieved.

You will probably consider Version 2 superior to Version 1. In Version 1, sentences 2 and 3 are closely
related,but3ismoreimportant.Sentences4and5arecloselyrelated,but5ismoreimportant.InVersion
2,therevisionmadeeachpairintoacomplexsentence.

Althoughyoucouldcombinesentences1and2,theresultwouldbeillogicalbecausethewrongideawould
beconveyed:

IllogicalCombination:IwasveryupsetbecausetheFourthofJulyfireworkswereespeciallyloud.

Thepersonwasveryupsetbecausethedogranaway,notbecausethefireworkswereespeciallyloud.

SubordinatingConjunctions

Asyoulearnedintheprevioussection,acomplexsentenceiscomposedofoneindependentclauseandone
ormoredependentclauses.Incombiningtwoindependentclausestowriteacomplexsentence,yourfirst
stepistodecideonawordthatwillbestshowtherelationshipbetweentheclauses.Wordsthatshowthe
relationship of a dependent clause to an independent one are called subordinating conjunctions. The
italicizedwordsinthefollowingsentencesaresubordinatingconjunctions.Considerthemeaningaswellas
theplacementofeachone.

Becausethestormhit,thegamewascanceled.
Afterthestormpassed,thedogsbegantobark.
Whenshereadherpoem,theyweremovedtofitsofhysterics.
Hedidnotvolunteertoworkontheholiday,althoughthepaywasgood.
Noonehasvisitedhersinceshemovedintotown.
Theydecidedtowaituntilthecowscamehome.
Theyrefusedtoworkunlesstheywereallowedtowearchefshats.
Beforethesessionended,allthehepcatsblewsomesweetsounds.

Othersubordinatingconjunctionsincludethefollowing:
as

providedthat
whereas
asif
ratherthan
wherever
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JuanCarlosToroBloch

evenif
sothat

whether
eventhough than

while
if

whenever
inorderthat where

PunctuationwithSubordinatingConjunctions

Ifthedependentclausecomesbeforethemainclause,setitoffwithacomma.

BeforeMikewrotehisfinaldraft,helookedoverhisoutline.

Ifthedependentclausecomesafterorwithinthemainclause,setitoffonlyiftheclauseisnotnecessaryto
the meaning of the main clause or if the dependent clause begins with the word(s) although, though, or
eventhough.

Wewenthomeaftertheconcerthadended.

Hecontinuedpainting,althoughhehadrepaintedthecabinettwice.

COORDINATIONANDSUBORDINATION:THECOMPOUNDCOMPLEXSENTENCE

At times you may want to show the relationship of three or more ideas within one sentence. If that
relationship involves two or more main ideas and one or more supporting ideas, the combination can be
statedinacompoundcomplexsentence(twoormoreindependentclausesandoneormoredependent
clauses).

Beforehelearnedhowtooperateacomputer,
dependentclause

hehadtroublewithhistypewrittenassignments,
independentclause

butnowheproducesclean,attractivepages.
independentclause

Inourpreviousdiscussionofthecomplexsentence,wepresentedthisgroupofsixsentences:

Iwasveryupset.TheFourthofJulyfireworkswereespeciallyloud.Mydogranaway.Theanimal
controlofficermadehismorningrounds.Hefoundmydoginanotherpartoftown.Iwasrelieved.

Wethenconvertedthegroupofsixsentencestofour:

Iwasveryupset.BecausetheFourthofJulyfireworkswereespeciallyloud,mydogranaway.When
theanimalcontrolofficermadehismorningrounds,hefoundmydoginanotherpartoftown.Iwas
relieved.

Butwhatifwewantedtoshowanevencloserrelationshipofideas?Onesolutionwouldbetocombinethe
twocomplexsentencesinthisway(theitalicizedsentenceiscompoundcomplex):

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JuanCarlosToroBloch

Iwasveryupset.BecausetheFourthofJulyfireworkswereespeciallyloud,mydogranaway;but
when the animal control officer made his morning rounds, he found my dog in another part of
town.Iwasrelieved.

PunctuationofComplicatedCompoundorCompoundComplexSentences

Ifacompoundorcompoundcomplexsentencehasoneormorecommasinthefirstclause,youmaywant
touseasemicolonbeforethecoordinatingconjunctionbetweenthetwoclauses.Itspurposeistoshowthe
reader very clearly the division between the two independent clauses. The preceding example illustrates
thisuseofthesemicolon.

OTHERWAYSTOCOMBINEIDEAS

1.Useanappositive,anounoranounphrasethatimmediatelyfollowsanounorpronounandrenamesit.
GarthBrooksclaimsYukon,Oklahoma,ashishometown.Heisafamoussinger.

GarthBrooks,afamoussinger,claimsYukon,Oklahoma,ashishometown.

2.Useaprepositionalphrase,aprepositionfollowedbyanounorpronounobject.
John Elway led the Denver Broncos to two Super Bowl victories. Both triumphs occurred in the
1990s.

JohnElwayledtheDenverBroncostotwoSuperBowlvictoriesinthe1990s.

3.Dropthesubjectinthesentencethatfollowsandcombinethesentences.
EmilyDickinsonspoetrywentmostlyunpublishedduringherlifetime.Itwasfinallydiscoveredand
celebratedmorethanahalfcenturylater.

EmilyDickinsonspoetrywentmostlyunpublishedduringherlifetimebutwasfinallydiscoveredand
celebratedmorethanahalfcenturylater.

4.Useaparticipialphrase,agroupofwordsthatincludesaparticiple,whichisaverbalthatusuallyendsin
ingored.
Michaelrowedsmoothly.Hereachedtheshore.

Rowingsmoothly,Michaelreachedtheshore.

***Remember to always ask yourself what the exact relationship is between the sentences or parts of
sentences.Areyouleadingtotheresultofsomething?Areyoumakingadeduction?Areyouintroducing
somecontradictoryevidenceorideas?Yourchoiceofwordorphraseobviouslydependsonthis.Andalways
check in a good dictionary if you're not quite sure about a word's use or its position in a sentence.
Rememberthatpunctuationwillaffectwhatyouuse.

PartA
Insertthebestalternative
1. PollsshowthatTonyBlairisthemostpopularPrimeMinisterthiscentury.________________,there
areevenmembersofhisownpartywhoareuneasywithhisapproach.
Inparticular

However

Forinstance
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2.

AIT6B

There are some slight variations in temperature, but ________________ 26 to 27C should be
expected.
consequently

3.

namely

Incontrast

Inotherwords

Similarly

It is clear, therefore, that the situation in Brazil will improve only slowly. ______________ the
economicproblemsbeingexperiencedinJapan,theoutlookisslightlymoreoptimistic.
Incomparison

Withreferenceto

Inordertotrytoreducecaruseintheinnercities,thegovernmenthasannouncednewrestrictionson
companyparkingspacesand______________,anewtaxonindividualcaruse.
aswellas

9.

Likewise

TheViceChancellorexplainedthatinlightofthecurrentfinancialclimateandbecauseofunexpected
bad debts, it would be necessary to peg salary levels at their current level for all grades of staff.
______________,noonewasgettingapayrise.

Furthermore
8.

Sothat

Correspondingly

Nevertheless
7.

inparticular

SalesofCDshaveexperiencedasmallbutsteadyfalloverthepast12months._____________,vinyl
recordshaveseenanincreaseintheirshareofthemarket,upto1.7%.
Aboveall

6.

asarule

It was announced that nurses' working hours would be increased by 25%. ______________ , even
fewertraineenursesareexpectedtojointheprofession.
Asaresult

5.

otherwise

The two main Channel Islands, ________________ Jersey and Guernsey, are much closer to France
thantoEngland.
forexample

4.

JuanCarlosToroBloch

inaddition

inthesameway

Essaysmustbehandedinbythedeadline,______________theywillnotbemarked.
obviously

otherwise

asaresult

10. ______________ithasbeenshownthatfracturescanoccuratevenrelativelylowpressures,theuse
ofthematerialshouldnotbecompletelydiscounted.
Nevertheless

Because

Eventhough

PartB
Choosethebestoption
A vegetarian can be defined as someone who does not eat meat, fish, or other animal products, such as
eggsorcheese;11)_____,heorsheeatsvegetables,fruits,grains,andseeds.12)_____thisdietconsistsof
nonmeat food sources, a vegetarian typically consumes less fat and cholesterol than an individual who
consumes meat. 13) _____, raising animals for food uses valuable land, water, and energy. 14) _____,
adoptingavegetariandiethelpsconservethevaluableresourcesthatourfuturedependson.

11. Avegetariancanbedefinedassomeonewhodoesnoteatmeat,fish,orotheranimalproducts,such
aseggsorcheese;1)_____,heorsheeatsvegetables,fruits,grains,andseeds.
a)consequently
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b)because
c)furthermore
d)instead
e)forexample

12. _____ this diet consists of nonmeat food sources, a vegetarian typically consumes less fat and
cholesterolthananindividualwhoconsumesmeat.
a)Consequently
b)Because
c)Furthermore
d)Instead
e)Forexample

13. _____,raisinganimalsforfoodusesvaluableland,water,andenergy.
a)Consequently
b)Because
c)Furthermore
d)Instead
e)forexample

14. _____,adoptingavegetariandiethelpsconservethevaluableresourcesthatourfuturedependson.
a)Consequently
b)Because
c)Furthermore
d)Instead
e)Forexample

15)_____manyeducatorsandparentshavepraisedtheHarryPotterseries,someChristianparentshave
calledforabanonthebooksintheirschoolsandlibraries.Somechurcheshaveevengoneasfarasburning
thebooks,citingbiblicalinjunctionsagainstwitchcraft,16)_____thoseinExodusandLeviticus.17)_____,
some Christians believe the books are compatible with Christianity, 18) _____, that they embody basic
Christianbeliefs.

15. _____ many educators and parents have praised the Harry Potter series, some Christian parents
havecalledforabanonthebooksintheirschoolsandlibraries.
a)although
b)Inaddition
c)Suchas
d)However
e)Indeed

16. Some churches have even gone as far as burning the books, citing biblical injunctions against
witchcraft,_____thoseinExodusandLeviticus.
a)although
b)inaddition
c)suchas
d)however
e)indeed

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JuanCarlosToroBloch

17. _____,someChristiansbelievethebooksarecompatiblewithChristianity,
a)Although
b)Inaddition
c)Suchas
d)However
e)Indeed

18. _____,thattheyembodybasicChristianbeliefs.
a)Although
b)Inaddition
c)Suchas
d)However
e)Indeed

Massiveenergyconsumptionishavinganegativeimpactontheplanet.19)_____,inthesummerof2006,
WesternEuropeexperiencedsomeofthehottestweatheronrecord.20)______,thistemperatureincrease
is not an isolated occurrence. 21)_____, almost every credible scientist today believes that the earth is
experiencingclimatechangeduetotheemissionsofgreenhousegasesfromcarsandcoalburningpower
plants. Ninety per cent of the energy used in the US comes from fossil fuels, oil, coal, and natural gas
(Borowitz 43), 22)_____ problems arise from other sources, too (e.g., nuclear power plants leave
radioactive byproducts, making storage difficult). 23)______, dams are not much better, as nearby
populationsmustberelocated,andthesurroundinghabitatisdestroyed.

19. _____,inthesummerof2006,WesternEuropeexperiencedsomeofthehottestweatheronrecord.
a)Infact
b)Forexample
c)Unfortunately
d)Moreover
e)But

20. ______,thistemperatureincreaseisnotanisolatedoccurrence.
a)Infact
b)Forexample
c)Unfortunately
d)Moreover
e)But

21. _____,almosteverycrediblescientisttodaybelievesthattheearthisexperiencingclimatechange
duetotheemissionsofgreenhousegasesfromcarsandcoalburningpowerplants.
a)Infact
b)Forexample
c)Unfortunately
d)Moreover
e)But

22. Ninety per cent of the energy used in the US comes from fossil fuels, oil, coal, and natural gas
(Borowitz 43), _____ problems arise from other sources, too (e.g., nuclear power plants leave
radioactivebyproducts,makingstoragedifficult).
a)infact
b)forexample
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c)unfortunately
d)moreover
e)but

23. ______,damsarenotmuchbetter,asnearbypopulationsmustberelocated,andthesurrounding
habitatisdestroyed.
a)Infact
b)Forexample
c)Unfortunately
d)Moreover
e)But

24)_____,studiesinvestigatingtheprosandcons ofsinglesex versuscoeducationschoolshavecome to

public attention, 25)_____ the results show some dramatic differences between the genders. 26)_____,
singlesexschoolsappeartohelpgirlswiththeirworkhabits;27)_____,boysachieveahighersuccessrate
in a coeducational system. 28)_____, girls seem to work best when communication and cooperation are
stressed,29)_____boysmaybemorecomfortablewithindividualandcompetitivestylesoflearning.

24. _____,studiesinvestigatingtheprosandconsofsinglesexversuscoeducationschoolshavecometo
publicattention,
a)Whereas
b)Forexample
c)Bycontrast
d)Recently
e)And
f)Inotherwords

25. _____theresultsshowsomedramaticdifferencesbetweenthegenders.
a)Whereas
b)Forexample
c)Bycontrast
d)Recently
e)And
f)Inotherwords

26. _____,singlesexschoolsappeartohelpgirlswiththeirworkhabits;
a)Whereas
b)Forexample
c)Bycontrast
d)Recently
e)And
f)Inotherwords

27. _____,boysachieveahighersuccessrateinacoeducationalsystem.
a)Whereas
b)Forexample
c)Bycontrast
d)Recently
e)And
f)Inotherwords
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28. _____,girlsseemtoworkbestwhencommunicationandcooperationarestressed,
a)Whereas
b)Forexample
c)Bycontrast
d)Recently
e)And
f)Inotherwords

29. _____boysmaybemorecomfortablewithindividualandcompetitivestylesoflearning.
a)Whereas
b)Forexample
c)Bycontrast
d)Recently
e)And
f)Inotherwords

PartC
Combineeachgroupofsentencesintoasinglesentence.Usecoordination,subordination,oroneofthe
otherwaysofcombiningideas.

30. Cobrasareamongthemostfearedofallsnakes.
Theyarenotthedeadliestofallsnakes.

31. Cobrasdonotcoilbeforetheystrike.
Theycannotstrikeforalongdistance.

32. Cobrasdonothaveahood.
Theyflattentheirneckbymovingtheirribswhentheyarenervousorfrightened.

33. Cobrasusetheirpoisonintwoways.
Onewayisbyinjectingvenomwiththeirfangs.
Anotherwayisbyspittingvenomattheirvictims.

34. Humanbeingswillnotdiefromthevenomthathasbeenspit.
Itcancauseblindnessifitisnotwashedfromtheeyes.

35. Apersoncandiefromacobrabite.
Deathmaycomeinonlyafewhours.

36. Snakecharmershavelongworkedwithcobras.
Theyuseonlyasnake,abasket,andaflute.

37. Thesnakescannothearthemusic.
Theyrespondtotherhythmicmovementsofthecharmers.

38. Thesnakecharmersarehardlyeverindangerofbeingbitten.
Theydefangthecobrasorsewtheirmouthsshut.

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39. Mostcobrasfleefrompeople.
Theyattackiftheyarecorneredoriftheyareguardingtheireggs.

40. HenryDavidThoreaugrewtiredoflivinginsociety.
Hewantedtofacehisessentialself.

41. Hebuiltacabininthewoods.
Helivedthereformorethanayear.

42. Gilliganhadaplan.
HewouldfloatinashippingcratetoHawaii.

43. Itwouldbeasurprise.
Hewouldsendhelptohisfriendsontheisland.

44. Astormcameup.
Gilliganscraftsankinthreefeetofwaterinthelagoon.
Theskippercriedbittertearsoverthelossofhislittlebuddy.

45. Theprofessormadeasubmarineoutofcoconutshells,Mrs.Howellscorset,Gingersjewelry,andfish
bones.
Gilliganwasrescued.

46. CaptainAhabsetsailfortheSouthSeas.
CaptainAhabhadanobsession.

47. Hewantedtokillthegreatwhitewhale.
ThenameofthegreatwhitewhalewasMobyDick.

48. Thecaptainandthewhalehadtheirencounter.
MobyDickwaseasilythevictor.

49. Hamletwassad.
Hisfatherwasdead.
Hismotherhadmarriedhisuncle.

50. Hamletbelievedthathisunclehadkilledhisfather.
Hamletplottedtokillhisuncle.

51. RomeoandJulietwereyoung.
Theyfellinlove.

52. Theirfamilieswerefeuding.
RomeoandJulietdecidedtorunaway.

53. Theytriedtotricktheirfamilies.
Theirplansturnedsour.
Theybothdied.

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54. Thecontestantspunthewheelonemoretime.
VannaWhiteclappedherhandswithglee.

55. PatSajakmadeawryjokeaboutgreed.
Onlyoneletterremained.

56. Thewheelstopped.
Thecontestantlosthisturn.

57. Theaudiencegroaned.
VannaWhiteslumped,andPatSajakcomfortedhersadheart.

58. SeveraltabloidshavereportedthatElvishasnotleftus.
Hehasbeensightedinseveralpartsofthiscountryandevenonotherplanets.

59. ThetabloidsreportthattheKingisjusttiredandwantsprivacy.
Theygivecredittounnamedreliablesources.

SixMainUsesoftheComma
Commasareusedmainlyasfollows:
Toseparateitemsinaseries
Tosetoffintroductorymaterial
Onbothsidesofwordsthatinterrupttheflowofthoughtinasentence
Betweentwocompletethoughtsconnectedbyand,but,for,or,nor,so,yet
Tosetoffadirectquotationfromtherestofasentence
Tosetoffcertaineverydaymaterial
Youmayfindithelpfultorememberthatthecommaoftenmarksaslightpause,orbreak,inasentence.
Thesepausesorbreaksoccuratthepointswherethesixmaincommarulesapply.Sentenceexamplesfor
each of the comma rules are given on the following pages; read these sentences aloud and listen for the
minorpausesorbreaksthataresignaledbycommas.

However,youshouldkeepinmindthatcommasarefarmoreoftenoverusedthanunderused.Asageneral
rule, you should not use a comma unless a given comma rule applies or unless a comma is otherwise
neededtohelpasentencereadclearly.Agoodruleofthumbisthatwhenindoubtaboutwhethertouse
acomma,itisoftenbesttoleaveitout.

Afterreviewingeachofthecommarulesthatfollow,youwillpracticeaddingcommasthatareneededand
omittingcommasthatarenotneeded.

*CommasbetweenItemsinaSeries
Useacommatoseparateitemsinaseries.
Magazines,paperbacknovels,andtextbookscrowdedtheshelves.
HardluckSamneedsaloan,agoodpayingjob,andaclosefriend.
Patsatinthedoctorsoffice,checkedherwatch,andflippednervouslythroughamagazine.
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Mirabitintotheripe,juicyapple.
Moreandmorepeopleenteredthecrowded,noisystadium.
Tip
A comma is used between two descriptive words in a series only if the word and inserted between the
wordssoundsnatural.Youcouldsay:
Mirabitintotheripeandjuicyapple.
Moreandmorepeopleenteredthecrowdedandnoisystadium.
Butnoticeinthefollowingsentencesthatthedescriptivewordsdonotsoundnaturalwhenandisinserted
betweenthem.Insuchcases,nocommaisused.
Themodelworeaclassyblackdress.(Aclassyandblackdressdoesntsoundright,sonocommais
used.)

Dr. Van Helsing noticed two tiny puncture marks on the patients neck. (Two and tiny puncture
marksdoesntsoundright,sonocommaisused.)

Activity1
Placecommasbetweenitemsineachseries.

1.MaeLintossedhersunglassesabottleofwaterandarecentissueofEveryDaywithRachelRayintoher
totebag.

2.SteveusesthecomputertocheckemailplaygamessurftheInternetdownloadmusicandsendinstant
messages.

3. In the Williams backyard are an iglooshaped doghouse several plastic toys trampled flowers and a
crackedceramicgnome.

Activity2
Foreachitem,crossouttheonecommathatisnotneeded.Addtheonecommathatisneededbetween
itemsinaseries.

1.Idiscoveredgumwrappers,penniesandasockhidden,undertheseatswhenIvacuumedmycar.

2.SquirrelsCanadageese,twowhiteswans,andcloudsofmosquitoes,populateFarwellPark.

3.Lewisdribbledtwice,spuntohisleftandloftedhispatentedhookshotovertheoutstretchedarms,of
thePantherscenter.

*CommasafterIntroductoryMaterial
Useacommatosetoffintroductorymaterial.
Fearlessly,Jessiepickeduptheslimyslug.
JusttoannoySteve,sheletitcrawlalongherarm.
AlthoughIhaveablackbeltinkarate,Idecidedtogoeasyonthedementedbullywhohadkicked
sandinmyface.
Mumblingunderherbreath,thewomanpickedoverthetomatoes.
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Tip
If the introductory material is brief, the comma is sometimes omitted. In the activities here, you should
includethecomma.

Activity3
Placecommasafterintroductorymaterial.

1.BeforeIleftfortheairportIturnedoffmywaterheaterandunpluggedmyappliances.
2.IfyouleftyourbackpackatthelibraryyoushouldcallCampusSecurity.
3.WantingtohelpothersBrianvolunteersattheMealsonWheelsprogram.

Activity4
For each item, cross out the one comma that is not needed. Add the one comma that is needed after
introductorymaterial.

1.UsingmetalliccordsfromherChristmaspresentsyoungAlimadeseveralbraceletsforherself.Afterthat,
shetookalongribbon,andtiedabowaroundherdogshead.

2.Asthebridesmiledandstrolled pastme down theaisle Isawabeadof sweatroll,fromherforehead

downhercheek.Rememberingmyownwedding,Iknewshewasntsweatingfromtheheat.

3.Whenmychildrenwereyoung,Iwroteinterestinganecdotesabouttheminanotebook.ForexampleI
wroteanotetoremindme,thatmysononcewantedtobeayoyomaker.

*CommasaroundWordsInterruptingtheFlowofThought
Useacommabeforeandafterwordsthatinterrupttheflowofthoughtinasentence.
Thecar,cleanedandrepaired,isreadytobesold.
Martha,ournewneighbor,usedtoworkasabartenderatRexysTavern.
Takinglongwalks,especiallyafterdark,helpsmesortoutmythoughts.
Usuallyyoucanhearwordsthatinterrupttheflowofthoughtinasentence.However,whenyouarenot
sureifcertainwordsareinterrupters,removethemfromthesentence.Ifitstillmakessensewithoutthe
words,youknowthatthewordsareinterruptersandthattheinformationtheygiveisnonessential.Such
nonessentialinformationissetoffwithcommas.Inthefollowingsentence
SusieHall,whoismybestfriend,wonanewcarintheReadersDigestsweepstakes.

Thewordswhoismybestfriendareextrainformation,notneededtoidentifythesubjectofthesentence,
SusieHall.Putcommasaroundsuchnonessentialinformation.Ontheotherhand,inthesentence
ThewomanwhoismybestfriendwonanewcarintheReadersDigestsweepstakes.

Thewordswhoismybestfriendsupplyessentialinformationthatweneedtoidentifythewoman.Ifthe
words were removed from the sentence, we would no longer know which woman won the sweepstakes.
Commasarenotusedaroundsuchessentialinformation.
Hereisanotherexample:
TheShining,anovelbyStephenKing,isthescariestbookIveeverread.

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Herethe wordsanovelbyStephenKingareextrainformation,notneededtoidentifythesubjectofthe
sentence, The Shining. Commas go around such nonessential information. On the other hand, in the
sentence
StephenKingsnovelTheShiningisthescariestbookIveeverread.

ThewordsTheShiningareneededtoidentifythenovelbecausehehaswrittenmorethanone.Commas
arenotusedaroundsuchessentialinformation.

Mostofthetimeyouwillbeabletohearwordsthatinterrupttheflowofthoughtinasentenceandwill
nothavetothinkaboutwhetherthewordsareessentialornonessential.

Activity5
Addcommastosetoffinterruptingwords.

1.ThesupplycontrolclerkassistedbynooneconductedaquarterlyinventoryonTuesday.

2.JoAnnandCraigwhowereengagedforayearmarriedlastJulyatawineryinSonoma.

3.Thelawnfurniturerustedbeyondrepairneedstobethrownout.

Activity6
Foreachitem,crossouttheonecommathatisnotneeded.Addthecommathatisneededtocompletely
setofftheinterruptingwords.

1.Alltrees,eventhemostgiganticareonly1percentlivingtissue;therest,isdeadwood.

2.Thecitycouncilinararefit,ofwisdom,establishedaseriesofbicyclepathsaroundtown.

3. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the second and third presidents, of the United States died on the
samedayin1826.

4.Myaunt,atalkative,womanmarriedapatientmanwhoisawonderfullistener.

*CommasbetweenCompleteThoughtsConnectedbyJoiningWords

Use a comma between two complete thoughts connected by and, but, for, or, nor, so, or yet (joining
words).
Myparentsthreatenedtothrowmeoutofthehouse,soIhadtostopplayingthedrums.

Thepolyesterbedsheetshadagorgeousdesign,buttheydidntfeelascomfortableasplaincotton
sheets.

The teenage girls walked along the hot summer streets, and the teenage boys drove by in their
shinycars.
TIP
Thecommaisoptionalwhenthecompletethoughtsareshort:
HunterrelaxedbutBobkeptworking.
ThesodawasflatsoIpoureditaway.
Weleftschoolearlyforthefurnacehadbrokendown.
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Becarefulnottouseacommainsentenceshavingonesubjectandadoubleverb.Thecommaisusedonly
insentencesmadeupoftwocompletethoughts(twosubjectsandtwoverbs).Inthesentence
Marylayawakethatstormynightandlistenedtothethundercrashing.
thereisonlyonesubject(Mary)andadoubleverb(layandlistened).Nocommaisneeded.Likewise,the
sentence
Thequarterbackkepttheballandplungedacrossthegoallineforatouchdown.
hasonlyonesubject(quarterback)andadoubleverb(keptandplunged);therefore,nocommaisneeded.

Activity7
Placeacommabeforeajoiningwordthatconnectstwocompletethoughts(twosubjectsandtwoverbs).
Remember, do not place a comma within sentences that have only one subject and a double verb. Mark
sentencesthatarecorrectwithaC.

1.TheapartmentKatelookedatwascleanandspaciousbuttherentwastooexpensiveforherbudget.
2.Ourpowerwentoutduringthethunderstormsowedecidedtoeatdinnerbycandlelight.
3.EddieisbuildingakayakinhisgarageandplanstotakeitdowntheColumbiaRivernextyear.
4.IdesperatelyneedmorestoragespaceforIcantseemtothrowanythingaway.
5.Thehelicopterhoveredoverheadandloweredarescuelinetothedownedpilot.
6.Traviswasgoingtoquithisjobatthesupermarketbuthechangedhismindaftergettingaraise.
7.Oneofthemengotreadytoleaveworkatfourbutputhiscoatawayuponseeinghisboss.
8.ThefamilyexpectedValerietogotocollegebutshewenttoworkafterelopingwithherboyfriend.
9.Bobbypleadedwithhisparentstobuyhimacomputerforhisschoolworkbuthespendsmostofhistime
playinggamesonit.
10.Thedoctorexaminedmeforlessthantenminutesandthenpresentedmewithabillfortwohundred
dollars.

*CommaswithDirectQuotations
Useacommaorcommastosetoffadirectquotationfromtherestofasentence.
Pleasetakeanumber,saidthedeliclerk.
ChristoldSophia,IvejustsignedupforacourseonWebpagedesign.
Thosewhoslingmud,afamouspoliticianoncesaid,usuallyloseground.
Readingthisbook,complainedStan,isaboutasinterestingaswatchingpaintdry.
Activity8
Ineachsentence,addtheoneormorecommasneededtosetoffthequotedmaterial.
1.Thinkbeforeyouspeaksaidmydad.
2.AchildmiseducatedsaidJohnF.Kennedyisachildlost.
3.Beforeyouleavethebuildingmutteredthenightpatrolofficerbesuretosignout.

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Activity9
Ineachitem,crossouttheonecommathatisnotneededtosetoffaquotation.Addthecomma(s)needed
tosetoffaquotationfromtherestofthesentence.
1.Ifyourelookingforacareerchange,readtheposter,inthesubwaystationconsidertheUSArmed
Forces.
2.Yourarmslookfinesaidtheswimminginstructor,butyoukeepforgetting,tokick.
3.Didyoureallythinkthejudgeasked,thedefendant,youcouldkillbothyourparentsandthenaskfor
mercybecauseyoureanorphan?

*CommaswithEverydayMaterial
Usecommastosetoffcertaineverydaymaterial,asshowninthefollowingsections.
PersonsSpokento
Ithink,Bella,thatyoushouldgotobed.
Pleaseturndownthestereo,Mark.
Please,sir,canyouspareadollar?

Dates
OurhousewasburglarizedonJune28,2009,andtwoweekslateronJuly11,2009.

Addresses
Robynssisterlivesat342RedOakDrive,LosAngeles,California90057.
SheismovingtoManchester,Vermont,afterherdivorce.

TIP
Nocommaisusedbeforeazipcode.

OpeningsandClosingsofLetters
DearMarilyn,
Sincerely,
DearJohn,

Trulyyours,

Informalletters,acolonisusedaftertheopening:
DearSir:
DearMadam:
Numbers
GovernmentofficialsestimatethatAmericansspendabout785,000,000hoursayearfillingoutfederal
forms.

Activity10
Placecommaswhereneeded.
1.Excusememadambutyourscarfisinmysoup.
2.Beforeageeighteen,theaveragechildspends6000hoursinschooland15000hourswatchingtelevision.
3.ThefamousoceanlinerTitanicsankintheAtlanticOceanonApril151912.
4.Teresa
Whatdoyouthinkofthispsychologylecture?Willyoumeetmeforlunchafterclass?Illtreat.Textme
youranswerrightaway.
Love
Jeff
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5.ThezooinWashingtonD.C.purchases50000poundsofmeat;6500loavesofbread;114000livecrickets;
andotherfoodsforitsanimalseachyear.

*UnnecessaryUseofCommas
Remember that if no clear rule applies for using a comma, it is usually better not to use one. As stated
previously,Whenindoubt,leaveitout.
Followingaresometypicalexamplesofunnecessarycommas.
Incorrect
Sharontoldme,thatmysocksweredifferentcolors.(Acommaisnotusedbeforethatunlessthe
flowofthoughtisinterrupted.)

Theunionnegotiations,draggedonforthreedays.
(Donotuseacommabetweenasimplesubjectandverb.)

Iwaxedallthefurniture,andcleanedthewindows.
(Use a comma before and only with more than two items in a series or when and joins two
completethoughts.)

Lizcarried,thebabyintothehouse.
(Donotuseacommabetweenaverbanditsobject.)

Ihadaclearview,oftheentirerobbery.
(Donotuseacommabeforeaprepositionalphrase.)

Activity11
Crossoutcommasthatdonotbelong.Somecommasarecorrect.Donotaddanycommas.

1.Wegrewapumpkinlastyear,thatweighedoveronehundredpounds.
2.Anyonewithafailinggrade,mustmeetwiththeinstructorduringofficehours.
3.Lastweekendagrizzlybearattackedahiker,whogottooclosetoitscubs.
4.Afterwatchingmyform,onthehighdivingboard,Mr.Riley,myinstructor,askedmeifIhadinsurance.
5.RosaflewfirsttoLosAngeles,andthenshewenttovisitherparents,inMexicoCity.
6.Thetallmuscularmanwearingthedarksunglasses,isaprofessionalwrestler.
7.Onions,radishes,andpotatoes,seemtogrowbetterincoolerclimates.
8.WheneverVincentisinLasVegas,youcanfindhimattheblackjacktable,ortheroulettewheel.
9.WhileIwatchedindisbelief,mycarrolleddownthehill,andthroughthefrontwindowofaChinese
restaurant.
10.Thequestion,sir,isnot,whetheryoucommittedthecrime,but,whenyoucommittedthecrime.

Activity12
Read carefully the short paragraph below and cross out the five misplaced commas. Then insert the ten
additionalcommasneeded.Referbacktotheexplanationswhennecessary.

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DearOlivia,
On Tuesday, May 52009my husband, and I were unable to sleep because of the loud music coming from
yourapartment.WhenIfirstheardthemusicIdidntsayanythingtoyoubecauseitwasstillearly.
Butthemusic,alongwithloud,laughterandtalking,continueduntilaroundfouroclockinthemorning.At
midnight,myhusbandwentintothehallwaytoseewhatwashappeningandheranintooneofyourguests.
Themanwhoseemedverydrunkstaredathim,andsaidGobacktobed,oldman.Thenextmorning,we
found beer cans pizza boxes, and cigarette butts, piled outside our door. This is unacceptable. We have
writtenthislettertoyouasawarning.Thenexttimesomethinglikethishappenswewillcallthepolice,and
thebuildingmanager.Wedontwanttocausetroublewithyoubutwewillnottolerateanotherincident
likewhathappenedthatnight.
Sincerely,
RoseConnelly
Activity13
Dothreethings:(1)Crossouttheonecommathatisnotneeded;(2)addtheonecommathatisneeded;
and(3)inthespaceprovided,writetheletteroftherulethatappliesforeachcommayouadded.
a.Betweenitemsinaseries
d.Betweencompletethoughts
b.Afterintroductorymaterial
e.Withdirectquotations
c.Aroundinterrupters

1.HarryPotterandtheDeathlyHallows,theseventhandfinalbookintheHarryPotterseriessoldover
eightmillioncopies,onthefirstdayofitsrelease.
2.PretendingtobeababysittertheshoplifterslippedseveralCDs,intoherbabystroller.
3.Emmett,whorecentlyadoptedababygirl,rushedtothesupermarket,tobuyinfantformula,babywipes
anddisposablediapers.
4.BeforeIleaveonmybusinesstripEmilytoldhertwochildren,Iwantbothofyoutopromiseme,that
youwillnottormentthedogorDad.
5.Brandie,abreastcancersurvivorreligiouslywearsherpink,awarenessbracelettorememberher
victoryoverthedisease.
6.RecognizingthedeadlyeffectsofcigarettesmokingtheWaltDisneyCompanyhasbanneddepictionsof
smoking,initsfilms.
7.Kurtrehearsedtheexactmomentformonthsbuthestillstumbledoverhisownwords,whenheasked
Keishatomarryhim.
8.EveryoneatthebarbequepartyenjoyedthemustardcoatedoildrizzledAlaskan,CopperRiversockeye
salmonfilletsroastedoncedarplanks.
9.MahatmaGandhi,waswisewhenhesaidWemustbethechangewewishtosee.
10.Thesubstituteteachertriedtoenforcetheclassrulesyetstudentsmisbehavedbysendingtext
messages,andplayinggamesontheircellphones.

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Activity14
Insertcommaswhereneeded.Onesentencedoesnotneedcommas.MarkitwithaC.
1.SomepeoplebelievethattelevisioncanbeaddictivebutIthinktheyrewrong.
2.WhiletherearepeoplewhoturnontheirTVsuponwakingupinthemorningIdontdothat.
3.IturnonmyTVonlyuponsittingdownforbreakfastandthenIwatchtheTodayShow.
4.Idontneedtowatchgameshowssoapoperasandsituationcomediestogetthroughtheday.
5.InsteadIwatchalltheseprogramssimplybecauseIenjoythem.
6.IalsokeeptheTVturnedonalleveningbecausethankstocableandOnDemandthereisalways
somethingdecenttowatch.
7.IfIdidnothavegoodviewingchoicesIwouldflickofftheTVwithouthesitation.
8.Lotsofpeopleswitchchannelsrapidlytopreviewwhatison.
9.IontheotherhandturnimmediatelytothechannelIknowIwant.
10.InotherwordsIamnotaddicted;Iamaselectiveviewerwhojusthappenstoselectalotofshows.
Activity15
Insertcommaswhereneeded.
1. Mythreefavoritefoodsarepastapizzaandicecream.
2.

IneedtocallSallyTomBradandKellyabouttheparty.

3.

Thebrownfluffylargedogranacrossthestreet.

4.

Ihavetoruntothestoregetmyhaircutandpickupthekidsfromdaycare.

5.

Jessicasingswithpowerpassionandstrength.

6.

Thecolorsofthesunsetincluderedorangeyellowandpink.

7.

Iliketorunbutnotwhenitshot.

8.

Wecangotothegrocerystoreorwecangotothemall.

9.

IdonotwantadognordoIwantacat.

10. Karenwantstogotothefarmyethersisterdoesnotlikefarms.
11. Wewillgotothegrocerystoreforweareoutoffood.
12. Thecarneedsrepairsbutwecannotaffordthecosts.
13. WhenIgettothemallIwillgotothefoodcourt.
14. AftertenminutesIaskedthenurseaboutthemedicine.
15. BecausethecarbrokedownIhadtocallforhelp.
16. WhentheflightlandsIwillhugmyfamily.
17. UntilthegaspricesgodownIwillworktwojobs.
18. TomorrowWednesdaywewilltakeatriptothezoo.
19. Mybrothera22yearoldmalegraduatedfromcollegetoday.
20. Ilikevideogamesbutmysisterontheotherhanddoesnot.
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21. Youhoweverareverysunburned.
22. Johnforexamplelikestowork.
23. Gasistooexpensivesaidtheexperienceddriver.
24. Ouchscreamedtheboyafterhewasstungbyabee.
25. ThesistertoldthebrotherofcourseIwillpickyouup.
26. Ready,Set,Goyelledthemombeforethetreasurehunt.
27. ThecrowdcheeredHappyBirthdayasthepartystarted.
28. YessaidthegirltohermotherIamonmywayhome.
29. Yeswecanfindaplaceforyoutostayovertheweekend.
30. ImsorryIdidnotunderstandwhatyousaid.
31. Excusemeyouleftyourbagonthecounter.
32. WaitIthinkweneedtomakealeftturnupahead.
33. Unfortunatelymyfavoriteflavorwassoldout.
34. WellyoucancallagaintomorrowtoseeifMr.Robertsisin.
35. ParisFranceismyfavoriteplacetovisit.
36. ThecapitaloftheUnitedStatesisWashingtonD.C.
37. TaylorLivesinNashvilleTN.
38. TodayisTuesdayJune10th1992.
39. TheSummerOlympicswillbeginonFridayAugust8th2008.
40. HisBirthdayisonFebruary23rd1972.

Nocopyrightinfringementintended.Idontownanyofthemarials.

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