2C LANGUAGE IN USE

PUNCTUATION MARKS

COMMA RULES
A comma is a punctuation mark (,) that is used in a sentence to show a pause. It may connect two parts
of a sentence or else separate items in a list. Commas are generally used to make a piece of text more
reader-friendly, as without them a reader may become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of
uninterrupted text.

A comma is used to denote a pause in the sentence, which is shorter than a colon or a semicolon. A comma
is used to show the difference between two separate ideas or elements within a sentence. Commas have
other usages as well, as they can be used to separate numbers, and write dates.

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Common Mistakes with a Comma

Below are the most common mistakes that people make when using a comma.
When There Are Only Two Items in a List

People often get in the habit of adding a comma whenever there are more than one
item/object/subject/character in a sentence, and people can be tempted to add an unnecessary
comma here. For example:

From the store, I just need to pick up lipstick, and eyeshadow. (incorrect)

This comma is unnecessary because there are only two items on this list. We should write it as:

From the store, I just need to pick up lipstick and eyeshadow. (correct)

Notice how the first comma remains. That is because ‘From the store’ is an introductory phrase
that is a subordinate clause, because it makes no sense without the rest of the sentence. So, a
comma is necessary here, but not to separate the two items in the list.

When Two Actions Relate to One Subject

If there are two actions that both relate to the same subject of the sentence, then a comma is
unnecessary. However, plenty of people still make this mistake. For example:

I walked home through the park, and sang along to my music. (incorrect)

A comma is unnecessary in this case because both actions refer to the subject ‘I’. So, we should
write it as:

I walked home through the park and sang along to my music. (correct)

After the Last Item in a List

If a list is given and then the sentence continues after the list, people are tempted to place a
comma after the last item. This is, however, a mistake, and a very common one at that.

For example:

Jamie, Daniel, and Lisa, were terrified the moment they stepped inside. (incorrect)

The problem with this mistake is that pausing after Lisa where the comma is somewhat
natural. So when reading back your work to identify the mistake, it may be difficult. Just
remember, that a comma is never necessary before the first item in a list, or after the last item
in a list. We should write it as:

Jamie, Daniel, and Lisa were terrified the moment they stepped inside. (correct)

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A. Comma Quiz

Questions

Now that you know all about commas, we’ve put together this little quiz to see if we can catch
you out. Decide whether the following sentences use a comma correctly or incorrectly, and if
you think it’s incorrect, think about how it should be written:

1. Walking down the street I spotted two of my friends Tim, and Alice.

2. I need to pick up chocolate, eggs, sugar, and butter from the store.

3. Alice, whose tattoo was still healing, decided not to get in the swimming pool.

4. I have to remember a toothbrush, a change of clothes, a drink, and a towel, for the trip.

5. Tim switched on the TV, and sat down to watch.

B. Put commas where they belong. A few of these sentences do not need commas.

1. We are having peas and carrots roast beef and cake for dinner.
2. Mr. Morton my English teacher says we have to learn how to use commas.
3. He says “Remember Bob use commas before and after you address someone directly.”
4. Kelly said, “Did you do the homework, Angie?”
5. The teachers at Ericson Academy work hard to teach the students.
6. Alex painted the fence white blue and green.
7. We waited at the bus stop on Central Park Avenue after school.
8. My mom who is a nurse cares for the sick injured and disabled
9. One famous basketball player Michael Jordan won five MVP awards.
10. “Don’t go there” said, Formica.
11. Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish writer of novels poems and essays.
12. Now Mr. Bond we will see you in half.
13. Tequita said, “Stop talking to me Renisha.”
14. Chicago the largest city in the Midwest is the home of the skyscraper blues and deep-dish pizza.
15. No Jackie I don’t want to go with Mark.
16. Alice said, “But they keep picking on me, Rudy.”
17. Emilio my next-door neighbor has two daughters a son and a puppy.
18. That Tuesday which also happens to be my birthday is the only day we can take the test.

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2C LANGUAGE IN USE

PRONUNCIATION

Watch the video. Then practice the following words.

/ɑ/
Tip: To produce this sound, lower your jaw a little, and put the back of your tongue
down.
 There's a small shop around the corner.
body / ˈbɑdi / stop / stɑp /  Did you lock the door?
model / ˈmɑdəl / job / ʤɑb /  She is very fond of me.
block / blɑk / clock / klɑk /  Watch out for that big rock!

bond / bɑnd / odd / ɑd /  The police stopped me for driving too fast.
 I have a job interview tomorrow.

/ɔ/
Tip: To produce this sound, your lips should be very rounded and pushed forward. Put
your jaw and the front of your tongue down.
 The young girl wanted to get a horse.
Ball / bɔl / walk / wɔk /
 We need some soy sauce.
North / nɔrθ / thought / θɔt /  He is my favorite author.
Door / dɔr / morning /ˈmɔrnɪŋ /  We have a daughter.

store / stɔr / song / sɔŋ /  Laura likes going to school.

 I was born in February.

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Pronunciation Practice

Practice pronunciation with your teacher by reading the following paragraph.

Laura and Paul went to a shopping mall. Laura wanted to buy a shirt, but it was
too short. On their way home, they saw a small lost dog. They remembered their
parents taught them to always help animals, so they stopped. The dog was coughing,
so they gave it some water. They also bought some dog food to feed it. The dog was
very happy and was hitting the ground with its paws, making funny
sounds. Laura and Paul thought that the dog was very cute and bonded with it right
away. In the end, they decided to take it home and keep it as a pet.

TRANSCRIPTION

ˈlɔrə ænd pɔl wɛnt tu ə ˈʃɑpɪŋ mɔl. ˈlɔrə ˈwɑntəd tu baɪ ə ʃɜrt, bʌt ɪt wʌz tu ʃɔrt. ɑn ðɛr
weɪ hoʊm, ðeɪ sɔ ə smɔl lɔst dɔg. ðeɪ rɪˈmɛmbərd ðɛr ˈpɛrənts tɔt ðɛm tu ˈɔlˌweɪz hɛlp ˈ
ænəməlz, soʊ ðeɪ stɑpt. ðə dɔg wʌz ˈkɑfɪŋ, soʊ ðeɪ geɪv ɪt sʌm ˈwɔtər. ðeɪ ˈɔlsoʊ bɑt s
ʌm dɔg fud tu fid ɪt. ðə dɔg wʌz ˈvɛri ˈhæpi ænd wʌz ˈhɪtɪŋ ðə graʊnd wɪð ɪts pɔz, ˈmeɪk
ɪŋ ˈfʌni saʊndz. ˈlɔrə ænd pɔl θɔt ðæt ðə dɔg wʌz ˈvɛri kjut, ænd ˈbɑndəd wɪð ɪt raɪt əˈ
weɪ. ɪn ði ɛnd, ðeɪ ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪd tu teɪk ɪt hoʊm ænd kip ɪt æz ə pɛt.

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