Commas: Where Do They Go?

GOAL:

To use commas correctly in sentence construction.

OBJECTIVES:

The student will be able to:

1. Use commas to set off parts of a series.

2. Properly locate commas in compound sentences.

3. Identify commas needed in sentences of inverted order.

ENERGY OBJECTIVES:

The student will be able to:

1. List suggested winter and summer thermostat settings.

2. Discuss other methods of saving on heating and cooling costs.

LESSON INFORMATION:

The comma is a mark of punctuation that usually indicates a pause in speaking. Every comma in a sentence, however, is placed there for a specific reason. Some of these reasons are as given below. See EXAMPLE 1 for clarification.

a. To separate more than two items in a series that are joined by a coordinate conjunction. Use a comma before "and" but not after the last item in the series. The items may be single words or phrases.

b. To separate two or more independent clauses in a compound sentence. Use a comma before the "and" linking the last clause.

c. To set off adverbial phrases used at the beginning of a sentence. This clause modifies the predicate and is usually placed in the predicate. When the adverbial phrase is found at the beginning of the sentence, the sentence is in inverted order.

EXAMPLE 1:

a. Much of the home energy budget is spent on heating, cooling, and major appliances.

Money may be saved by lowering the thermostat in the winter, raising the thermostat in the summer, and keeping all air conditioning equipment well-maintained.

b. Heating and cooling costs account for up to 50% of the home energy budget, and a good way to reduce energy costs is to adjust your thermostat.

c. Since approximately 4% of energy costs can be saved for each degree the thermostat is raised, adjust the thermostat in the summer from 72° to 78°.

ACTIVITY D-1:

Place commas in series where needed in the following sentences. If the sentence is correct as written, write "correct" at the end of it.

1. Keep the thermostat away from sunlight heating units and large appliances.

2. Placing the thermostat too near heat producing elements can cause the unit to run longer to be less efficient and to add dollars to the energy bill.

3. Most people are interested in saving money and energy.

4. Setting the thermostat higher using ceiling fans and wearing loose clothing allows people to save energy while remaining cool.

5. Suggested thermostat settings vary from 65° to 70° for the winter months.

ACTIVITY D-2:

Rewrite the following pairs of sentences as compound sentences. Use coordinate conjunctions and commas where needed.

1. Humidity affects comfort in the home.

Humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air.

2. Air conditioning helps remove humidity from the home.

Venting humid air to the outside helps reduce humidity.

3. Heating units tend to dry out the air.

People feel colder in dry air.

Knowing where to place commas when writing sentences or paragraphs is very important. It is also important to avoid using unnecessary commas. Remember: Do not use a comma unless you know the rule behind its use! See EXAMPLE 2.

EXAMPLE 2:

While reducing heating and cooling costs is very important, (introductory adverbial clause making this an inverted sentence) it is also important to reduce waste of hot water, (part of a series) lighting, (last in a series before the conjunction) and cooking fuels.

Activity R-1:

Read the following sentences. Add commas where needed. Draw a line through unnecessary commas.

1. Adjust the thermostat on the heating and cooling unit on mild days or turn the unit off completely.

2. Ventilation can be increased by opening windows or by using ceiling, box, or, oscillating fans.

3. The energy conscious homeowner should keep doors closed, and reduce trips into and out of the home.

4. The heating and cooling unit will not have to work as hard if sufficient insulation has been placed in the ceiling the walls and under the flooring.

5. Unless you want to waste money on inefficient heating and cooling you should keep air filters clean or you should change the filter monthly.

ACTIVITY R-2:

Look back at the sentences in Activity R-1. Explain why you added or deleted commas in each sentence.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Baker, Gene. Air Conditioning & Heating with Saving Dollars in Mind. Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service. (Slemco DesignOne), Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, n.d.

Home Management Tips to Cut Energy Costs. Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Baton Rouge, LA, n.d.

Homeowner's Energy Conservation. Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Baton Rouge, LA, 1981.

INFORMATION CHECK

1. What does a comma signify in speaking?

2. List the three uses of commas discussed in this lesson. Write an original sentence as an example of each.

a.

b.

c.

3. Read the following sentences. Add or delete commas as necessary. If commas are used properly in the sentence, write "correct" at the end of the sentence.

a. Since many people are unfamiliar with installing air conditioning the homeowner should consult with professionals before purchasing a unit that is not sized properly for their house.

b. Air conditioning and heating needs can be reduced if air infiltration into the house is reduced. The homeowner may use caulking, weatherstripping, or other methods to reduce air infiltration.

c. The homeowner may plant trees around the home to reduce wind infiltration, or, he may use grass instead of concrete to reduce heat gain.

4. What are the suggested energy saving settings on the thermostat for the summer and the winter?

5. List five ways that your family could reduce the amount of energy and money used on heating and cooling your home

.

TEACHER'S NOTES

Activity D-1:

1. Keep the thermostat away from sunlight, heating units, and large appliances.

2. Placing the thermostat too near heat producing elements can cause the unit to run longer, to be less efficient, and to add dollars to the energy bill.

3. Most people are interested in saving money and energy. (correct)

4. Setting the thermostat higher, using ceiling fans, and wearing loose clothing allows people to save energy while remaining cool.

5. Suggested thermostat settings vary from 65° to 70° for the winter months. (correct)

Activity D-2:

Students' answers will vary. Examples follow.

1. Humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air, and it affects comfort in the home.

2. Air conditioning can remove humidity from the home, or venting to the outside can reduce humidity.

3. Heating units may seem to help as they tend to dry out the air, but people feel colder in dry air.

Activity R-1, R-2:

1. Adjust the thermostat on the heating and cooling unit on mild days, or turn the unit off completely. (Add a comma as it separates two independent clauses of a compound sentence.)

2. Ventilation can be increased by opening windows or by using ceiling, box, or(,) oscillating fans. (Remove this comma as you put the last comma in a series before the coordinate conjunction, not after.)

3. The energy conscious homeowner should keep doors closed(,) and reduce trips into and out of the home. (This comma is not needed. It is separating a compound predicate and not a compound sentence.)

4. The heating and cooling unit will not have to work as hard if sufficient insulation has been placed in the ceiling, the walls, and under the flooring. (Add these commas to separate items in a series.)

5. Unless you want to waste money on inefficient heating and cooling, you should keep air filters clean, or you should change the filter monthly. (The first comma is needed due to the introductory adverbial clause that makes the first part of this sentence inverted. The second comma is needed between the two independent clauses of a compound sentence.)

Answers to Information Check:

1. A comma usually indicates a pause when speaking.

2. Students should list the following three uses. There example sentences will differ. Check sentences for correctness.

a. To separate items in a series.

b. To separate two or more independent clauses in a compound sentence.

c. To set off adverbial phrases used at the beginning of a sentence.

3. a. Since many people are unfamiliar with installing air conditioning, the homeowner should consult with professional before purchasing a unit that is not sized properly for their house.

b. Air conditioning and heating needs can be reduced if air infiltration into the house is reduced. The homeowner may use caulking, weatherstripping, or other methods to reduce air infiltration. (correct)

c. The homeowner may plant trees around the home to reduce wind infiltration, or(,) he may use grass instead of concrete to reduce heat gain.

4. 78° in the summer; from 65° to 70° in the winter

5. Students' answers will vary. Some may include:

Adjust the thermostat more conservatively.

Turn the unit off on mild days.

Open windows and use fans.

Close doors and reduce trips out of the house.

Increase insulation.

Comments or questions to: TechAsmt@LA.GOV

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