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February 22, 2000
COMMAS--PART III
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For the past two weeks we've discussed a few comma rules that frequently cause problems. Today we'll look at a couple more rules to help you better understand comma usage.
RULE #4:
Information added to help describe or clarify should be set off by commas. This kind of detail is called "non-restrictive" because the sentence can function without it; hence it is set off by commas as "extra" but not essential information. That is, eliminating the "non-restrictive clause" does not change the meaning of the sentence.
EXAMPLE: Shirley's beautiful hair, long and wavy, was trimmed by her hairdresser.
(The words "long and wavy" describe or clarify "hair.")
EXAMPLE: Bill's mother, Mrs. Dan Butler, often helps out at the elementary school.
(The words "Mrs. Dan Butler" clarify the name of Bill's mother.)
EXAMPLE: Have you met our new candidate, Keith Johnson, who's running for Mayor?
(The words "Keith Johnson" clarify the name of the new candidate.)
EXAMPLE: Maxwell is the same as always, cute and flirtatious.
(The words "cute and flirtatious" describe Maxwell.)
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FOR PRACTICE:
Decide which of the following sentences uses commas correctly:
1. Silver, our six year-old Persian cat, had a litter of kittens last week.
2. It's true that Jim Bushman, our former manager lost his job due to alcoholism.
3. When Bud's team won the championship, our friends celebrated at his favorite restaurant Gabriel's.
4. Tony, hurrying from the bakery arrived just before the party began.
5. Gerald's little sister, who just turned eight, flew to Boston to see her father.
For the correct answers, visit our web site at http://www.grammarcheck.com/answers222.htm
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RULE #5:
Do NOT use a comma to set off information needed by the sentence to make sense or be clear. This type of information is called "restrictive" because it functions as a necessary part of the sentence and therefore should NOT be set off with commas since it is essential to the meaning of the sentence.
NO: The dog, that bit Sue's daughter, was put to sleep by the veterinarian.
YES: The dog that bit Sue's daughter was put to sleep by the veterinarian.
(The words "that bit Sue's daughter" are essential because not any dog was put to sleep, just the dog that bit Sue's daughter.)
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NO: Walter filed the report, which contained false information, in Dee's office.
YES: Walter filed the report which contained false information in Dee's office.
(The words "which contained false information" are essential because Walter didn't file any report in Dee's office, just the one that contained false information.)
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NO: Little Gary carried the blue-tailed kite, made by his uncle, to the park.
YES: Little Gary carried the blue-tailed kite made by his uncle to the park.
(The words " made by his uncle" are essential because not any blue-tailed kite was carried to the park, just the one made by Little Gary's uncle.)
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FOR PRACTICE:
Decide which of the following sentences uses commas correctly:
1. The lady, who slapped Harold, is my cousin's daughter.
2. The house with blue shutters was sold last week.
3. When Jack, the watchman, quit, chaos followed.
4. A red coral snake with black stripes slithered into the stream.
For the correct answers, visit our web site at http://www.grammarcheck.com/answers222.htm
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SPELLING HINT:
Avoid using slangy spellings of common words in business or professional writing:
Use "through" and not "thru."
Use "night" and not "nite."
Use "a lot" as two words, and not "alot."
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Also be careful when using words that sound alike to choose the correct spelling:
be, bee
cite (site, sight)
threw, through (vs. thorough)
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Remember: Spell Check programs will not catch any of the following errors:
The spelling be was very successful.
Be sure to sight the correct resources on your web cite.
She was very through when she went thorough the drawer.
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WRITING TIP:
Next week we begin presenting the first of two editing techniques that can make your writing more professional.
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YOUR GRAMMAR AND WRITING QUESTIONS:
QUESTION: If I say "Web-based is better," is it incorrect to use a hyphen?
GRAMMARCHECK: You are correct in using a hyphen to connect two descriptor words that cannot otherwise work alone.
EXAMPLE: The brown-eyed girl hurried into the store.
(You can't say "The 'brown' girl or the 'eyed' girl--they work together.)
EXAMPLE: Mrs. Smithers bought a well-behaved cocker spaniel.
(You can't say "Mrs. Smithers bought a well cocker spaniel"--it only makes sense when used with the second descriptor word.)
EXAMPLE: James wrote a highly-detailed essay.
(You can't say "James wrote a highly essay"--it only makes sense when used with the second descriptor word.)
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QUESTION: Should there be an apostrophe after the "s" in 'customers' in the following statement?
"Bluestone Software ensures the realization of our customers e-business goals and objectives by providing enterprise class e-business software."
GRAMMARCHECK: Yes, use an apostrophe after the plural 's' to show possession:
"Bluestone Software ensures the realization of our customers' e-business goals and objectives by providing enterprise class e-business software."
By the way, the sentence above contains a minor grammatical error discussed earlier in this edition of GRAMMARCHECK. Can you find it? The answer will be given in next week's edition.
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QUESTION: My girlfriend uses multiple exclamation marks and multiple question marks. She says it's for emphasis. Is it really correct to punctuate a message like the one below:
"Where were you this weekend????? You didn't call or send me a single e-mail!!!!!!!!!!!!?!"
Signed, your reader--"Keith."
GRAMMARCHECK: Multiple exclamations and question marks indicate significant emotion. (You're in trouble, Keith!) However, one of each is usually adequate.
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