The Comma

What is it's purpose?

• separates words
• separates stacked adjectives
• Two independent clauses joined by a conjuction
• Starting a sentence with a dependent clause
• To set off nonessential words

Don'ts

• To join two independent clauses = comma splice or run on sentence
• After conjunctions
• When you feel like it.

Practice reading with punctuation out loud.

In the time it takes you to read this sentence, the global building industry will have poured more than 19,000 bathtubs of concrete. By the time you are halfway through this article, the volume would fill the Albert Hall and spill out into Hyde Park. In a day it would be almost the size of China’s Three Gorges Dam. In a single year, there is enough to patio over every hill, dale, nook and cranny in England.

So

• Bill who lived life fully was quite evil.
• Open up your mind but avoid spillage.
• Suddenly he threw up.
• A stoic bronze griffin stood guard.
• Though Shelby loved soccer she's certain the millipede will win.