Comma question:)

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Seashell517
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun May 27, 2012 9:12 pm

Comma question:)

Post by Seashell517 » Thu Feb 07, 2013 11:42 am

Okay. I was a biology major so English and grammar are not my strongest subjects. Help... We're doing dictation from Preparing and in level 3 in number 5 there is no comma between May and June. In number 11 there is a comma between October, and November. Could someone explain why and when we would use the comma or not. Thanks much!
Shelly
Shelly
Wife of 15 years to Jeff.
DS 12, DD 8,DS 5, DS 2

farmfamily
Posts: 237
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2011 4:20 pm

Re: Comma question:)

Post by farmfamily » Fri Feb 08, 2013 9:49 am

I don't know why the dictation passages are not consistent, but I do know that experts disagree as to whether to put a comma before the "and" in a series. If you look up "serial comma" on wikipedia you can read all about it. I think that both ways can be considered "correct." My daughter noticed the lack of a comma in dictation passage number 5 because we are in R&S level 3 and it is teaching that you should always use a comma before the "and." I told her that both ways are correct and she shouldn't think it's wrong if she reads something that doesn't have a comma there, but that in her writing I wanted her to use a comma because that is what she is learning in R&S. HTH
blessed to be married 17 yrs to my hardworking farmer dh, mom to:
daughter 13 MTMM
daughter 11 Rev to Rev
son 10 CTC

Enjoyed Little Hands, LHFHG, Beyond, Bigger, Preparing, CTC, Res to Ref, and Rev to Rev!!

swansonacad

Re: Comma question:)

Post by swansonacad » Sat Feb 09, 2013 4:59 pm

I think there are differing views on comma usage. I was taught not to put a comma before the "and" in a series, but I've read recently that a comma should be used before the "and". The important thing is that the reader should be able to understand what the writer meant. I have actually found myself removing commas in the HOD dictation passages. For example, I was never taught to use a comma BEFORE "because." However, sometimes a because clause within a sentence should be set off with a comma. I did a quick search and found this site http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm
Debra

Seashell517
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun May 27, 2012 9:12 pm

Re: Comma question:)

Post by Seashell517 » Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:19 pm

Thanks so much. This does help. I was taught to not use a comma before "and" as well so I was confused.
Shelly
Wife of 15 years to Jeff.
DS 12, DD 8,DS 5, DS 2

lissiejo
Posts: 506
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:44 am

Re: Comma question:)

Post by lissiejo » Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:18 pm

I used to transcribe sermons part-time and have an English background. This has become a preference. At some point in the fairly recent past those who created the grammar texts decided the comma before "and" in a series was unnecessary. At this point it is a preference, neither right nor wrong. My transcription boss preferred it and I prefer it probably because it was what I was taught to do. I believe the reasoning is that commas are commonly overused as it is and there isn't a purpose for the comma before "and". The rule for using a comma with "because" has to do with dependent and independent clauses.

My conclusion: Commas are a pain :)
Melissa (Pastor's wife in NC)

http://gracefilledhomeschooling.blogspot.com
Rose (12-years-old) - Revival to Revolution
Beth (10-years-old) - Creation to Christ
Grace (8-years-old) - Bigger Hearts for His Glory

luv2homeschool
Posts: 116
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2011 9:10 am

Re: Comma question:)

Post by luv2homeschool » Sat Feb 16, 2013 2:50 pm

I acutally just looked up the original 1906 book and the comma IS there. So, I think it's a typo in the guide.
I know that the rule for series commas has changed today, but these dictation passages are taken from a 100 year old book. We're not on level 3 yet but I'm fixing it in my guide.
Christine
DS 12, Rev to Rev
DD 10, Preparing
Our fifth year using HOD!

Seashell517
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun May 27, 2012 9:12 pm

Re: Comma question:)

Post by Seashell517 » Sat Feb 16, 2013 8:13 pm

Great. Thanks Melissa and Christine. I'll fix my copy too. I guess I'd just like to be consistent with what I teach him. He's a pretty concrete thinker and likes consistency too:). I think it's easier to just say no comma before "and". I understand the because commas and I think he will too. Anyway. Thank you all very much for helping us on this!
Shelly
Wife of 15 years to Jeff.
DS 12, DD 8,DS 5, DS 2

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