MECHANICS OF WRITING

USING COMMA: TRANSITION AND ADVERBIAL CLAUSE

When a word, a phrase, or a dependent clause comes before an independent clause, we
use a comma after it and before the independent clause. Words and phrases that are used
in this way are called transitions, and dependent clauses that are common in this pattern
are called adverbial clauses.
TRANSITIONS
Many transitions can go at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence, but
no matter where they are, they are set off the rest of the sentences by commas.
E.G.
For example, Memorial Day honors soldiers who died in wars.
Memorial Day, for example, honors soldiers who died in wars.
Memorial Day honors soldier who died in wars, for example.
THE MOST COMMON TRANSITION WORDS AND PHRASES
Example
For example

Chronology
After that

Result
Consequently

Difference
However

Addition
Moreover

Conclusion
In conclusion

For instance

Later on

As a result

In contrast

In addition

In short

First, etc

Therefore

On the other

Furthermore

All in all

Next

hand

Then
TWO FURTHER POINTS TO NOTE ABOUT THIS PUNCTUATION PATTERN:
If the transition is a short, single syllable transition, and it comes at the beginning of a
sentence, it is acceptable to eliminate the comma.
Example:
First, we went to the movies or First we went to the movies.

The use of for example and such as can be confusing. Pay attention to the
examples below:
a. There are many memorials for soldiers in the United States. For example, the

USS Arizona honors soldiers who died at Pearl Harbor at the beginning of
World War II.
b. There are many memorials for soldiers in the United States, such as, the USS
Arizona, the Korean Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSE

When a sentence begins with an adverbial clause, there must be a comma between
this clause and the main, or independent clause. For example:
Because he was sixty five, he was forced to retire
If I have enough time, I will make a cake for our party.

When an adverbial clause comes after an independent clause, we dont use

comma.
He was forced to retire because he was sixty five.
I will make a cake for our party if I have enough time.
THE COMMON WORDS TO INTRODUCE ADVERBIAL CLAUSE

Chronology
After

Causation
Because

Unexpected Result
Although

Difference
Whereas

Before

Since

Even though

While

Condition
if

While
When
Until

When an adverbial clause beginning with while and whereas come after an
independent clause, use a comma.

AND
It is commonly used only as connector within a sentence, not in the beginning of
sentence.
Example:
To read a book and watch television can be a good way in developing our knowledge
NOT

And to read a book and watch television can be good way in developing our knowledge

CHALLENGE

COMBINING SENTENCE USING TRANSITIONS

1. The Pacific Ocean has many forms of life. There are fish, plants, and microscopic
organism.
__________________________________________________________________
2. I dragged my self out of bed. I took a cold shower to wake my self up.
__________________________________________________________________
3. December is a winter month in the Northern Hemisphere. December is a summer
month in the Southern Hemisphere.
__________________________________________________________________
4. The volcano erupted for ten days. The village at the bottom of it was destroyed.
__________________________________________________________________
5. If you want to enjoy long holiday weekend, you need to leave for your destination
early. You need to come back soon.
__________________________________________________________________
COMBINING CLAUSE BY ADVERBIAL CLAUSE
1. Monday is the Fourth of July. We dont have to go to work.
__________________________________________________________________
2. Fireworks are standard for holiday celebrations. I dont like them.
__________________________________________________________________
3. It is foggy and cold near the ocean. It is sunny and hot inland.
__________________________________________________________________
4. Betty baked some Christmas cookies. She took them to her neighbor.
__________________________________________________________________
5. There will soon be too many people in the world. People keep having babies.
__________________________________________________________________

COMMA SPLICE

It is an error that occurs when a comma by itself is used between two

independent clauses.

A comma is correct between two independent clauses, but only when it is

followed by a coordinating conjunction.

E.G.
My dad hung a bird feeder in the backyard, he loves to watch the birds eat from it.
FOUR WAYS TO CORRECT IT:
1. Put a period in the place of the comma and capitalize the first word of the next
sentence
My dad hung a bird feeder in the backyard. He loves to watch the birds eat from
it.
2. Put a semicolon in the place of the comma
My dad hung a bird feeder in the backyard; he loves to watch the bird eat from it.
3. Insert a coordinating conjunction.
My dad hung a bird feeder in the backyard, and he loves to watch the birds eat
from it.
4. Change one of the clauses into a dependent clause by starting it with a
subordinating conjunction.
Since my dad hung a bird feeder in the backyard, he loves to watch the birds eat
from it.
RUN ON SENTENCES

Two or more independent clauses follow each other without any punctuation.

E.G.
Cutting down the rain forest leads to the extinction of plants and animals their
habitats are destroyed.

THREE WAYS TO CORRECT IT:

1. Make two separate sentences.
Cutting down the rain forest leads to the extinction of plants and animals. Their
habitats are destroyed.
2. Add extra words.
When their habitats are destroyed due to cutting down the rain forest, many
plants and animals become extinct.
3. Add a subordinating conjunction
Cutting down the rain forest leads to the extinction of plants and animals because
their habitats are destroyed.
USING COMMA: LIST

There are three kinds of teachers: good, bad, and indifferent. (adjectives)

Would you like coffee, tea, or a soft drink? (nouns)

Henry got home, kissed his wife, got a beer and sat down to watch the game
(verbs)

Jumping, skipping and hopping are what little children do best. (gerunds)

CHALLENGE:

Add commas to these sentences. Then, identify the grammatical structure in each list.
1. The suspect was messy smelly and half dead._____________________________
2. Im not sure if our boss went to Bali Fiji or Tahiti on vacation.________________
3. Across the street behind the house and under the picnic table, youll find the last
Easter egg._________________________________________________________
4. The team played hard made lots of points but lost the game.__________________
5. Jill Jackson Louis Diana and I ate three pizzas last night.____________________
6. Jen bought a big floppy blue hat on 18th Street.____________________________