Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Comma (,)

Education English | Comma (,) | Harvey (2008: 238) The comma denotes the slightest degree of separation
between the elements of a sentence.
1. A complex subject, if long, should be separated from the predicate by a comma.
Example: The patriachal church, inconsiderable in size and mean in decoration, stands on the outermost islet of the Venetian group.
2. A clause used as subject, if it ends with a verb, should be separated from the predicate by a comma.
Examples: Whatever is, is right
Whosoever perseveres, will succeed.
3. Nouns and prounouns in the nominative absolute case by pleonasm or direct address should be separated from the rest of sentence by commas.
Example: Our souls, how heavily they go, to reach immortal joys.
4. Adjective, participial, appositive, and absolute phrases, should be separated from the context by commas.
Examples: Faithful to his promise, he assisted me in obtaining employment.
According to Langan (2008: 566) there are six main uses of the comma,
they are:
1. To separated items in a series
Examples: The street vendor sold watches, necklaces, and earings.
The exercise instructor told us to inhake, exhale, and relax.
2. To set off introductory material
Examples: Just in time, Sherry applied the brakes and avoided a car accident.
Although he had been first in the checkout line, Deion let an elderly woman go ahead of him.
3. On both sides of words that interrupt the flow of thought in a sentence. Use comma on both sides of words or phrases that interrupt the flow of thought in a sentence.
Examples: The vinyl car seat, sticky from the heat, clung to my skin.
Marty’s computer, which his wife got him birthday gift, occupies all his spare time.
4. Between two complete thoughts connected by and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet
Examples: Sam closed all the windows, but the predicted thunderstorm never arrived.
I like wearing comfortable clothing, so I buy oversize shirts and sweaters.
5. To set off a direct quotation from the rest of sentence
Examples: The carnival barker cried, “step right up and win a price!”
“I’m sorry,” said the restaurant hostess. “You’ll have to wait.”
6. For certain everyday material
Examples: If you’re the last to leave, Paul, please switch off the light.
Did you see the play off game, Lisa?
Surayin (1999: 508-510) says that commas is used:
1. Comma is used between two main clause that connected by and, but, or, nor or for, especially if the clause is long.
Examples: Their oldest son is a lawyer, and their youngest son is a doctor.
The shops were filled with beautiful things, but I had neither the time to shop nor the money to buy anything.
2. If the function of clause as a adverb before main clause, usually it is follow by comma.
Examples: When he finally arrived at 8 o’clock, the program was well underway.
After they took off from the airport, we felt very sad.
3. Clause that introduce noun separated by comma if it is not important to tell the noun introducing.
Examples: Mary, who is a good student, always receives good grades.
I saw John, who graduates last term.
4. Appositive separated by two comma if the adverb just add information about noun in front of.
Examples: Fredrick, my cousin, live in Oslo, the capital of Norway.
He read ”Ode on Grecian Urn,” a poem by John Keats.
5. The words like indeed, by the way, I think, incidentally usually separated by comma. This word and expression is similar separated by comma because all of word cut the main idea of sentence.
Examples: Indeed, he repeated that sentence twice.
He is interesting, I think.
6. Comma is used in name for greeting directly
Examples: Mary, where are you?
Did I remember to tell you, Bill, that you had a phone call?
7. Comma is used in quotation mark for direct sentence
Example: She said, “come here.” “ Will you,” he begged, “come at once?”
“Wait for me, “ she called.
8. Comma is used to separate the writing of date
Example: Monday, January 5, 1989, was her wedding day.
9. Comma is used to separate the name of city in country
Examples: He was born in Madrid, Spam, in 1920.
10. Comma is used between word, phrase, or clause in a sentence
Examples: The tall, thin, dark man is our family doctor.
She bought potatoes, lettuce, meat, asparagus, and pear.

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