PUNCTUATION THE “WRITE” WAY.pptVIP

PUNCTUATION THE “WRITE” WAY San José State University Writing Center Dr. Jim Lobdell DO NOT USE A COMMA… …between compound elements that are not independent clauses: Albert Einstein fled Nazi Germany, and came to the United States. Albert Einstein fled Nazi Germany and came to the United States. Bertrand doesn’t know that his illness is serious, and that he may need an operation. Bertrand doesn’t know that his illness is serious and that he may need an operation. DO NOT USE A COMMA… …to separate a verb from its subject or object: Zoos that provide natural habitats for the animals, are being built in many cities. Zoos that provide natural habitats for the animals are being built in many cities. Margaret told Benjie the good news, that she was going to have a baby. Margaret told Benjie the good news that she was going to have a baby. DO NOT USE A COMMA… …before the first or after the last item in a series: Some causes of heart disease are, improper diet, too little exercise, and smoking. Some causes of heart disease are improper diet, too little exercise, and smoking. The life of wealth and fame that seems so easy, so free from care, and so glamorous, may actually be filled with tragedy. The life of wealth and fame that seems so easy, so free from care, and so glamorous may actually be filled with tragedy. DO NOT USE A COMMA… …between cumulative adjectives or between an adjective and a noun: In the attic we discovered an ancient, gold picture frame. In the attic we discovered an ancient gold picture frame. The trip was an expensive, foolish, self-indulgence. The trip was an expensive, foolish self-indulgence. DO NOT USE A COMMA… …to set off essential elements in a sentence: That man, who is wearing the messy clothes, is my sister’s new boyfriend. That man who is wearing the messy clothes is my sister’s new boyfriend. Don’t go to New Orleans at Mardi Gras, unless you love crowds of drunken people. Don’t go to New Orleans at Mardi Gras unless you love crowds of dr