2. Final preceded by a single consonant is changed to i. e.g., Livelier, Lucklier.
3. Single consonant preceded by a single vowel is double in one syllable adjectives. e.g., Bigger, Thinner.
4. Final e is dropped. e.g., Simpler, largest, wider.
2.3.6 Punctuation a. Types of Punctuation
1. The Comma
The comma separates or sets off words and groups of words within sentences. Using Commas with Conjunction
Use a comma before a conjunction and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet linking two Canada. e.g., Canadians watch America closely, but most Americans know little about Canada.
The cowards never started on the long trek west, and the week died along the way. Misusing Commas with Conjunctions
1. Do not use a comma before a conjunction that links a pair of words or phrases : He was genial, but shrewd.
REVISED : He was genial but shrewd.
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I phoned the store, and asked to speak with the manager. REVISED : I phoned the store and asked to speak with the manager.
2. Except as noted below , do not use a comma after a conjunction : I could not find the light switch, so I had to grope my way through the
house. REVISED : I could not find the light switch, so I had to grope my way through the
house. Mr. Martin worked me hard. But, he never demanded more of me than of
himself. REVISED : Mr. Martin worked me hard. But he never demanded more of me than of
himself. - Misusing Commas between Independent Clauses – The Comma Splice
1. Do not use a comma alone between two independent clauses : The beams have rotted, they can no longer support the roof.
This sentence illustrates the error known as the comma splice. To correct the error, you must either replace the comma or add a conjunction:
REVISED : The beams have rotted; they can no longer support the roof. Using Commas after Introductory Elements
1. Use a comma after an introductory clause, phrase, or word : When ever it rains, the roof leaks.
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Unfortunately, a blizzard closed the airport for two days. 2. Use a comma after a conjunctive adverb at the beginning of a sentence or clause :
Nevertheless, some of the problems cause by automation remain unsolved. Anto workers have stopped demanding big wage increases each year; on the
other hand, they are asking for job security. - Using Commas with Nonrestrictive Elements
1. Use a comma of a pair of commas to set of nonrestrictive elements: words, phrases, and clauses that are not essential to the meaning of the sentences in which
they appear: Anyone who publishes a book at the age of six must be remarkable.
Dorothy Straight of Washington, D.C, who published her first book at the age of six, was a remarkable child.
- Misusing Commas with Restrictive Elements 1. Do not use commas with restrictive elements : with words, phrases, or clauses
essential to the meaning of the sentences in which they appear. The crow stood up when the band began playing the national anthem.
Volcanoes pumping ash into the air can add a streak of color to sunsets thousands of miles away.
- Using Commas with Coordinate Items in Series 1. Use commas to separate three or more coordinate items in a series :
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Sally, Beth, and Cathy were reading in the library. The cat awoke, stretched, and leaped from the chair.
Note that a comma precedes the and that links the final item to the others. 2. Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives modifying the same
noun : The man spoke in a low, mysterious voice.
A big, old, dilapidated house stood on the corner. When items in a series are long or internally punctuated, use semicolons between
them. Misusing Commas with Coordinate Items in a Series
1. Do not use a comma to separate adjectives when they are not coordinate that is, when they do not both modify the same noun :
His deep, blue eyes stared at me. REVISED : His deep blue eyes stared at me.
2. Do not use a comma before and in a compound phrase with just two items : The man carried a blue suitcase, and a red umbrella.
3. Do not use a comma between and and the last item in a series : The speaker coughed, studied his notes, and, frowned in dismay
REVISED : The speaker coughrd, studied his notes, and frowned in dismay.
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- Using Commas to Prevent a Misreading 1. Use a comma when you need one to prevent a misreading of your sentence :
On the left walls of sheer ice rose over five thousands feet into the clouds. REVISED : On the left, walls of sheer ice rose over five thousands feet into the
clouds. Using Commas with Dates, Adresses, Greetings, Names, and Large Numbers
1. Use commas to set off successive items in dates and addresses : On the afternoon of July 1, 1963, the fighting began.
The return address on the letter was 23 Hocknet Street, Lexington. 2. Use commas to set off the name of someone directly addressed in a sentence :
A few weeks ago, Mr. Taplow, I spoke to you on the telephone about the possibility of a summer job.
3. Use commas after the greeting in a friendly or informal letter, and after the closing in a letter of any kind :
Dear Mary, Yours truly,
4. Use commas to set off titles or degress after a person’s name : Barbara Kane, M.D. delivered the commencement address.
5. Use a comma after the last part of a proper name when the last part comes first :
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Lunt, George D. 6. Use commas to mark groups or three digits in a large numbers.
Antartic is 5.400.000 square miles of ice-covered land. - Misusing Commas with Addresses and Dates
1. Do not use a comma to separate the name of a month from the day : October, 22
REVISED : October 22 15, May
REVISED : 15 May 2. Do not use a comma to separate a street number from the name of the street :
15, Amsterdam Avenue REVISED : 15 Amsterdam Avenue
3. Do not use a comma to separate the name of a state, province, or country from the zip code :
Lebanon, New Hampshire, 03766 REVISED : Lebanon, New Hampshire 03766
Toronto, Canada, M5S 1A1 REVISED : Toronto, Canada M5S 1A1
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4. Do not use a comma to separate the name of the month from the year when the day is not given or comes before the month :
January, 1982 REVISED : JANUARY 1982
22 April, 1939 REVISED : 22 April 1939
Using Commas with Quotation Marks For a full discussion of how to use commas with quotation marks, see section.
Misusing the Comma with Quotation Marks 1. Do not use a comma between a subject and its predicate
Voters with no understanding of the issue, should learn the facts. REVISED : Voters with no understanding of the issue should learn the facts.
2. Do not use a comma between a verb and its object : For dessert we all had strawberry shortcake.
REVISED : For dessert we all had strawberry shortcake. I could not understand, why she refused me to see me.
REVISED : I could not understand why she refused me to see.
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2. The Semicolon and The Colon
