LEO Topic Review

While viewing the LEO web page, I decided to write this blog about when to use commas. I know sometimes I still struggle on where commas go and when I should use them or maybe just begin a new sentence. I am writing this blog to help people out, because if we want to admit it or not, we all need a refresher.

Firstly, I will start with the rules:
Rule 1: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, or, but, nor, yet, for, so) that separates two independent clauses.
Rule 2: Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clause that comes before a main clause.
Rule 3: Use commas around words, phrases, and clauses in the middle of a sentence when they aren't essential to the meaning of the sentence.
Rule 4: Use commas between items in a series.
Rule 5: Use commas before and after a quotation within a sentence.
Rule 6: Use commas to set off geographical names, items in date, and professional titles.

Those are the six rules on when to use commas. Now that you know the rules, let us look at some examples of each rule (each number corresponds with the rule number).
1. State censorship boards flourished, but the pressure groups wanted a more comprehensive ban on objectionable material.
2.In addition to television's influence, some parents and teachers ascribe children's diminished drive to play to recent changes in the elementary school curriculum.
3. This was not, in other words, an invisible 56 percent of the population.
4. Robin, blue jay, hawk, sparrow, and crow are all examples or birds.
5. The band leader said, "Once the simple marching drill is learned, we will work on more maneuvers."
6. Today's date is September 10, 2012.

Since everybody does not know the rules in this world, there are bound to be errors that can happen. There are three main mechanical errors. These are called comma splice, fused sentences, and run-on sentences. Now to define them:
1. Comma splice is is an error caused by joining two independent clauses with only a comma. Oftentimes, the subject of the second sentence is this, that, these, or those.
2. Fused sentences are errors caused by running two independent clauses together with no separation at all.
3. Run-on sentences are errors caused by joining two or more independent clauses with only a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet).
Examples of each are: (mistake first then correction)
1. Many income tax reforms provide spaces for indicating contribution to the AIDS campaign, this makes money to help people in need. To fix this it should read: Many income tax reforms provide spaces for indicating contribution to the AIDS campaign; this makes money to help people in need. 
2.  The cat and dog were fighting then the dog ate the cat. To fix this it should read: The cat and dog were fighting; then the dog ate the cat.
3. Groups to end childhood hunger have been established in all cities and are have been given funding to support them.  To fix this it should read: Groups to end childhood hunger have been established in all cities, and are have been given funding to support them.

There are many ways to help correct these three main errors and they are:
1. Separate the clause with a period
2. Join the clause with a semicolon
3. You can connect the clauses with a semicolon and a conductive adverb followed by a comma.
4. You can connect the clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
5. You can use a subordinator to make one clause dependent upon another.

I hope this blog was helpful in helping to answer that question, "where do I put my commas?!" I hope it helps!



References
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/punct/comma.html, September 10, 2012
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/punct/csfsro.html, September 10, 2012