Demystifying Punctuation - English 99, Spring 2015



Demystifying Punctuation

Comma Usage: Commas are used to create pause, but that does not necessarily mean that writers use one any time they want to create a pause in writing. Commas must be used according to their rules; otherwise grammatical errors occur, which effect readability and potentially result in confusion. The rules are:

1. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series: The candidate promised to lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce crime, and end unemployment.

2. Use commas to separate two or more adjectives that describe the same noun. Be sure never to add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself: He was a difficult, stubborn child.

Be sure that both adjectives apply to the same noun. In the case of a “gray wool sweater” you would not necessarily need a comma since gray describes the wool.

3. Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted elements or to show a distinct shift: He was merely ignorant, not stupid. The speaker seemed innocent, even gullible.

4. Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer to the beginning or middle of the sentence. Nancy waved enthusiastically at the docking ship, laughing joyously. However, it must be clear what/who the phrase is referring to: Lisa waved at Nancy, laughing joyously. (Who is laughing, Lisa or Nancy?) In this case, the sentence must be restructured to solve this confusion.

5. Use commas to separate independent clauses (complete sentences) when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.

I don’t like spiders, and I think they’re especially disturbing when found at night.

I don’t like spiders, but I still appreciate that they eat other insects.

I don’t like spiders, for their eight legs are creepy.

I don’t like spiders, or maybe it is that they do not like me.

I don’t like spiders, nor do I enjoy most insects.

I don’t like spiders, so I avoid them when possible.

I don’t like spiders, yet I find that they are unavoidable in nature.

Note that on each side of the comma and coordinating conjunction is a complete sentence.

6. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause: While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door. Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class. If you are ill, you ought to see a doctor. However, things are not always as they seem.

7. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off phrases and words that interrupt the sentence to supply additional information or contribute to tone/inflection. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause: That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only day when I am available to meet. This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food, on the other hand, is rather bland. I appreciate your hard work. In this case, however, you seem to have over-exerted yourself.

8. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off phrases and words that redefine or rename what comes before. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the renaming and one at the end to indicate the end of the renaming: Apples, which are my favorite fruit, are the main ingredient in this recipe. It is up to you, Jane, to finish.

The “redefining” also occurs with phrases “tacked on” to the end of the sentence that begin with “which” and “especially”: The mayor was an honest man, which is a unique and valued quality in politics. Our day at the beach was lovely, especially the bonfire. In the first example, the additional information after the comma further defines the state of being “an honest man” as a “unique and valued” quality. The second example further defines what was “lovely.”

9. Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names: Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England. July 22, 1959, was a momentous day in his life. Rachel B. Lake, MD, will be the principal speaker.

(When you use only the month and the year, no comma is necessary after the month or year: The average temperatures for July 1998 are the highest on record for that month.)

Semicolons:

1. Semicolons are used to join two complete sentences. Semicolons show a stronger connection than a period but less connection than a comma + a coordinating conjunction: Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then. I have paid my dues; therefore, I expect all the privileges listed in the contract.

2. Semicolons are also used in place of commas to separate a series of phrases when the phrases contain commas: On the road trip I plan to visit San Antonio, Texas; Boston, Massachusetts; and Greenville, South Carolina. The water flowing from the base of the waterfall to the pool further down the trail meandered through gently rushing, whirling eddies; enjoyed the company of the local salamanders, tadpoles, and fish; and carried the weight of floating leaves.

Colons:

1. Colons are used to separate a word and its definition. Colons: a form of punctuation that is used to separate a word and its definition.

2. Sometimes the definition comes in the form of a list. Colons are used to connect this list to a sentence. Keep in mind that the sentence on the other side of the colon must be a complete sentence. I enjoyed a few of my favorite things last weekend: reading, good company, and stinky cheese. An incorrect use of colons occurs when the sentence on the other side of the colon (not the list) does not stand as a complete sentence. I enjoyed a few of my favorite things, such as: reading, good company, and stinky cheese. In this case, the colon needs to simply be omitted since “such as” replaces the need for a colon. Also, “I enjoyed a few of my favorite things, such as” is not a complete sentence.

Parentheses: Parentheses create an “aside” and supply additional information. The additional information could be a redefining or an interruption. (See #7 & #8 under comma usage rules). That Tuesday (which happens to be my birthday) is the only day when I am available to meet. Parentheses can also be used to insert complete sentences as asides. It is only when a person recognizes the subjectivity of truth that he/she can begin to realize the uniqueness of individual experience. (Sometimes this realization is enlightening, and sometimes it is surprising or disturbing.) If people openly embrace this realization, they arguably take the first step toward achieving empathy and tolerance.

Dashes: Dashes can be used to replace comma usage under rules #3, #7, #8; semicolons that separate two complete sentences; colons; or parenthesis. By using dashes, writers can create a more informal tone, create a stronger sense of interruption, or add greater emphasis.

1. Replacing a comma under Rule #3: He was merely ignorant – not stupid.

2. Replacing commas under Rule #7: That Tuesday – which happens to be my birthday – is the only day when I am available to meet.

3. Replacing commas under Rule #8: George – a notoriously messy eater – tried to hide the spaghetti sauce on his shirt under his coat as he entered the opera house.

4. Replacing semicolons: Call me tomorrow – I’ll give you my answer then.

5. Replacing colons: Robert Frost’s poetry made me realize what I really want to be – a swinger of birches.

6. Replacing parentheses: It is only when a person recognizes the truth as subjective – and something that continually changes based on a person’s experience – that he/she can begin to understand the value of empathy as a method of working to understand others’ truths.

Punctuation might not seem that important until we consider the following example:

A woman without her man is nothing.

OR

A woman: without her, man is nothing.

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