1. COMMAS: TWO COMMON PROBLEMS
AND HOW TO FIX THEM
Cara Owens
RWS 305W Spring 2012

2. “There is nothing much to punctuating a sentence,
really, beyand a little comma sense. Get the commas
right, and the rest will fall into place.” Patricia
O’Conner, Woe is I.

3. TWO COMMA USES
Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by
any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.
She was late to class, and the quiz was already over.
Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that
come before the part of the sentence.
Since she was late to class, she missed the quiz.

4. PROBLEM #1: THE COMMA SPLICE
“A comma splice results when a comma is placed
between two independent clauses without the
necessary link of a coordinating conjunction.” Karen
Elizabeth Gordon, The Deluxe Intransitive Vampire.
Note: When I see comma splices, I also see students
trying to write more complex sentences, which is a
good thing

5. STUDENT COMMA SPLICE
I was on such an adrenaline rush, I think I just stopped thinking for
a minute and began walking towards the back stage.
Note that there are two independent clauses (two sentences) that are joined with
just a comma.
We can fix this by using a coordinating conjunction.

6. COMPOUND SENTENCE GRAPHIC
for
and
nor
Sentence, but sentence.
or
yet
so

7. COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS:
FANBOYS
For, So Show a cause and effect relationship.
And Joins things or ideas that are alike or similar, implies a continuation of
thought.
But,Yet Shows a contrasting thought.
Or Indicates a choice between ideas.
Nor Continues a negative thought.

8. Now take a few minutes to fix the sentence using a
coordinating conjunction:
I was on such an adrenaline rush, I think I just stopped thinking for
a minute and began walking towards the back stage.

9. STUDENT SAMPLE #2

10. STUDENT SAMPLE #2
I was wrong, this was the calm before the storm.

11. STUDENT SAMPLE #2
I was wrong, this was the calm before the storm.
In many cases, you can fix a comma splice by just
making two sentences.

12. STUDENT SAMPLE #2
I was wrong, this was the calm before the storm.
In many cases, you can fix a comma splice by just
making two sentences.
I was wrong. This was the calm before the storm.

13. STUDENT SAMPLE #2
I was wrong, this was the calm before the storm
In many cases, you can fix a comma splice by ju
making two sentences.
I was wrong. This was the calm before the stor

14. PROBLEM #2: NO COMMA AFTER AN
INTRODUCTORY ELEMENT
“If a sentence begins with a phrase or clause or
transition, you probably need a comma to separate it
from the indepent clause that follows. In other
words, use a comma after an introduction or opener.
When I see this mistake, I know that students are at
least trying to write complex sentences! Again, a good
thing.

15. COMMON SUBORDINATING
CONJUNCTIONS
Although, after, as when, while, unless, before,
because, if, and since.

16. STUDENT SAMPLES

17. STUDENT SAMPLES
Where does the comma go in the following
sentences?

18. STUDENT SAMPLES
Where does the comma go in the following
sentences?
After filling the car up with gas it was time to hit the road.

19. STUDENT SAMPLES
Where does the comma go in the following
sentences?
After filling the car up with gas it was time to hit the road.
Without head-lights and cabin lights on in the car we couldn’t see the person next to
us.

20. STUDENT SAMPLES
Where does the comma go in the following
sentences?
After filling the car up with gas it was time to hit the road.
Without head-lights and cabin lights on in the car we couldn’t see the person next to
us.
Feeling a bit shy I was ready to make my way into the bar and get some liquid
courage in me.

21. STUDENT SAMPLES
Where does the comma go in the following
sentences?
After filling the car up with gas it was time to hit the road.
Without head-lights and cabin lights on in the car we couldn’t see the person next to
us.
Feeling a bit shy I was ready to make my way into the bar and get some liquid
courage in me.
When we got to the airport I was calling him like crazy to see where he was.

22. STUDENT SAMPLES
Where does the comma go in the following
sentences?
After filling the car up with gas it was time to hit the road.
Without head-lights and cabin lights on in the car we couldn’t see the person next to
us.
Feeling a bit shy I was ready to make my way into the bar and get some liquid
courage in me.
When we got to the airport I was calling him like crazy to see where he was.

23. STUDENT SAMPLES
Where does the comma go in the following
sentences?
After filling the car up with gas it was time to hit the road.
Without head-lights and cabin lights on in the car we couldn’t see the person next to
us.
Feeling a bit shy I was ready to make my way into the bar and get some liquid
courage in me.
When we got to the airport I was calling him like crazy to see where he was.