Find it / Fix itFind it / Fix itFind it / Fix itFind it / Fix it

Comma ErrorsComma ErrorsComma ErrorsComma Errors

Missing Comma After Missing Comma After Introductory ElementIntroductory ElementMissing Comma After Missing Comma After Introductory ElementIntroductory Element

Place a comma after the following Place a comma after the following

introductory elements in your work.introductory elements in your work.Place a comma after the following Place a comma after the following

introductory elements in your work.introductory elements in your work.

WordsWordsWordsWords

Place a comma after introductory words of Place a comma after introductory words of

direct address, words of permission, and direct address, words of permission, and

interjections.interjections.

James, can you hand me that paper?James, can you hand me that paper?

No, I can’t find it.No, I can’t find it.

Great, I will see you at Great, I will see you at thethe movie movie

PhrasesPhrasesPhrasesPhrases

Place a comma after introductory Place a comma after introductory

prepositional, participial, and infinitive prepositional, participial, and infinitive

phrases.phrases.

To play your best, you need to practice.To play your best, you need to practice.

Running slowly, I finally made it to the Running slowly, I finally made it to the

finish line.finish line.

What in the world are these phrases??????What in the world are these phrases??????

ClausesClausesClausesClauses

Introductory adverbial clauses should be Introductory adverbial clauses should be

followed by a comma.followed by a comma.

When the conductor boards the train, it When the conductor boards the train, it

will start moving.will start moving.

What in the world is an adverbial What in the world is an adverbial

clause?????clause???????

Commas and Nonessential Commas and Nonessential ElementsElements

Commas and Nonessential Commas and Nonessential ElementsElements

Use commas to set off nonessential (not Use commas to set off nonessential (not

important) elements of sentences.important) elements of sentences.Use commas to set off nonessential (not Use commas to set off nonessential (not

important) elements of sentences.important) elements of sentences.

AppositiveAppositiveAppositiveAppositive

If an appositive is not essential to the If an appositive is not essential to the

meaning of a sentence, it should be set off meaning of a sentence, it should be set off

by commas.by commas.

Julie’s dog, a golden retriever, chases Julie’s dog, a golden retriever, chases

after the tennis ball.after the tennis ball.

Participial PhraseParticipial PhraseParticipial PhraseParticipial Phrase

A participial phrase not essential to the A participial phrase not essential to the

meaning of a sentence is set off by meaning of a sentence is set off by

commas.commas.

The dog, running through the park, The dog, running through the park,

brought the ball back to Julie.brought the ball back to Julie.

Adjectival ClauseAdjectival ClauseAdjectival ClauseAdjectival Clause

Use commas to set off an adjectival clause Use commas to set off an adjectival clause

if it is not essential to the meaning of the if it is not essential to the meaning of the

sentence.sentence.

The dog, whose name is Comet, prefers The dog, whose name is Comet, prefers

to fetch tennis balls.to fetch tennis balls.

Missing Comma in a Missing Comma in a Compound SentenceCompound SentenceMissing Comma in a Missing Comma in a Compound SentenceCompound Sentence

Use a comma before a coordinating Use a comma before a coordinating

conjunction to separate two or more conjunction to separate two or more

main clauses in a compound sentence.main clauses in a compound sentence.

Use a comma before a coordinating Use a comma before a coordinating

conjunction to separate two or more conjunction to separate two or more

main clauses in a compound sentence.main clauses in a compound sentence.

Main ClausesMain ClausesMain ClausesMain Clauses

Place a comma before a coordinating Place a comma before a coordinating

conjunction (and, but, or, nor, yet, so, for) conjunction (and, but, or, nor, yet, so, for)

in a compound sentence.in a compound sentence.

Se is traveling to China on a nonstop Se is traveling to China on a nonstop

flight, and she is expected to arrive at flight, and she is expected to arrive at

noon.noon.

Compound Subjects and VerbsCompound Subjects and VerbsCompound Subjects and VerbsCompound Subjects and Verbs

Commas should not be used to separate Commas should not be used to separate

compound subjects and compound verbs compound subjects and compound verbs

in a sentence.in a sentence.

The cat chases after the yarn and dove The cat chases after the yarn and dove

under the table.under the table.

Phrases & ClausesPhrases & ClausesPhrases & ClausesPhrases & Clauses

Prepositional Phrase - consists of a Prepositional Phrase - consists of a

preposition and a noun or pronoun (between, preposition and a noun or pronoun (between,

with, beside)with, beside)

ParticipialParticipial Phrase - is participle modified by Phrase - is participle modified by

an adverb (traveling quickly, avoiding delays)an adverb (traveling quickly, avoiding delays)

Adverbial Clause - Subordinate - modify Adverbial Clause - Subordinate - modify

verbs, adj, adv. or verbs by telling where, verbs, adj, adv. or verbs by telling where,

when, in what way . . . when, in what way . . .

What is a What is a participial?participial?What is a What is a

participial?participial?A participle is a form of a verb that can act as A participle is a form of a verb that can act as

an adjective.an adjective.

They answer the question What kind? or Which They answer the question What kind? or Which

one? about the nouns or pronouns they one? about the nouns or pronouns they

modify.modify.

They can be expanded into phrasesThey can be expanded into phrases

Traveling at breakneck speed, we arrived on Traveling at breakneck speed, we arrived on

time.time.