Using Commas
Writing Consultant Presentation
EG 1003: Intro to Engineering and Design
NYU’s Polytechnic School of Engineering
Using Commas
1. Introductory phrases
2. Items in a list
3. Coordinate adjectives
4. Interrupting words
5. Coordinating conjunctions
6. Subordinating conjunctions
Whenever subject is delayed
 In the eighteenth century, the first balloon
with human passengers was flown.
 However, the robot was precise.
 Using LabVIEW to create a VI took some
practice; nevertheless, it was easier than
building a physical instrument.
 Taking one’s time to brainstorm before
designing a vehicle is crucial to success.
Using Commas
1. Introductory phrases
2. Items in a list
3. Coordinate adjectives
4. Interrupting words
5. Coordinating conjunctions
6. Subordinating conjunctions
Lists of more than two items
 In this lab, the lab PC, LabVIEW
software, a data acquisition (DAC)
board, a breadboard, and LEDs were
used.
 Before the exam, one should review, say
prayers, sleep well, and eat breakfast.
Supercommas with items with commas
 Before taking the exam, one should review,
which means study one’s class notes and the
reading assignments; get a good night’s sleep,
especially at the end of the semester; say
prayers, whether one is religious or not; and
eat a nutritious, satisfying breakfast.
Using Commas
1. Introductory phrases
2. Items in a list
3. Coordinate adjectives
4. Interrupting words
5. Coordinating conjunctions
6. Subordinating conjunctions
Adjectives that modify equally
 The accurate, precise robot should be
put on the market.
 The diligent, painstaking process of
product evaluation is vital in today’s
world.
Using Commas
1. Introductory phrases
2. Items in a list
3. Coordinate adjectives
4. Interrupting words
5. Coordinating conjunctions
6. Subordinating conjunctions
Interruptions need 2 commas
 The placement of commas, in fact, is a difficult matter
even for native speakers.
 Yes, it is true that printed material is edited and does
not reflect the author’s expertise.
 A Mindstorms kit, a modular construction set, was
used in this lab.
Restrictive info has no commas
 The graphical programming language G is
used in LabVIEW.
 In Lab 5, “Digital Logic,” the objective was to
design a logic circuit using LabVIEW.
Using Commas
1. Introductory phrases
2. Items in a list
3. Coordinate adjectives
4. Interrupting words
5. Coordinating conjunctions
6. Subordinating conjunctions
Two clauses and a comma
 Students write papers, so their professors
comment on them.
 Professors comment carefully, for their
students have expended effort to write.
 Students write papers, yet they do not read
them.
When not to use a comma
 Students write papers and take exams.
 Students write papers in English class and EG
1003.
 Students and professors enjoy EG 1003.
Using Commas
1. Introductory phrases
2. Items in a list
3. Coordinate adjectives
4. Interrupting words
5. Coordinating conjunctions
6. Subordinating conjunctions
Two different situations
 Whenever a subordinate clause comes
first, there is a comma before the main
clause.
 There is no comma when the
subordinate clause follows the main
clause.
It is okay to start with because
 Because they were taught a bad lesson in high
school, many students are afraid to start a
sentence with “because.”
 However, it is grammatically correct if you do
have an independent clause afterward.
 The problem is made worse because
“however” is usually an adverb.
Exception: contrasting material
 Most students think commas are easy,
although few really know how to use them.
Using Commas
1. Introductory phrases
2. Items in a list
3. Coordinate adjectives
4. Interrupting words
5. Coordinating conjunctions
6. Subordinating conjunctions