Comma Kazi Discussion Lesson Three

Section 3.3 Discussion Question: 20 pts for your discussion answer of at least 200 words and
5 pts. for your at least 50 word response to one other classmate’s discussion answer.

Many of the comma rules often overlap or are similar. Can you find some of this overlapping and similarity?

Not discussed below:
12. Sentence Adverb Rule & 13. Absolute Phrases Rule: are similar in that they both are set off by commas, but different in that the absolute phrase has a participial phrase that identifies the phrase set apart by commas.

16. Information Rule & 10. Direct Address Rule: both are surrounded with commas

Discussed below in discussion question:
2. Dependent (Subordinate) Clause Rule & 6. Introductory Clause Rule: explained in discussion

14. Adverbial Clauses Rule & 6. Introductory Clause Rule:          
Overlapping rules.

2. Dependent (Subordinate) Clause Rule & 14. Adverbial Clauses Rule:


Does seeing where the rules are similar make learning about commas easier or harder?

I am not sure if it makes it easier when I see similarities in rules because similar tends to confuse, yet when there is a definite difference pointed out the task gets simpler and choosing more actuate.
The following study of similarities and differences and one that overlaps will help explain my point of view.
For beginners:
14. Adverbial Clauses Rule
6. Introductory Clause Rule          
Looking at the example sentences for these two rules, which often draws my attention first, will give me an immediate confusion, because of the similarity in a couple of them. They both look like an introductory clause to me. But, upon further examination not all the examples are similar. So, I read the rules and find that an introductory clause is always at the beginning of a sentence where an adverbial clause is not. But the two rules do overlap at this point. The adverbial clause is an introductory clause when it’s at the beginning of a sentence, but not when it’s in the middle.

The adverbial clause when at the beginning of the sentence will answer a question of interest concerning the second part of the sentence, unlike the introductory clause.  This difference gives the adverbial clause new identifying power. Look for the difference in these two rules to know how to identify which is which.

Briefly:
2. Dependent (Subordinate) Clause Rule
6. Introductory Clause Rule          
The dependent (subordinate) clause rule is similar to the independent clause rule in that they both use commas after them, and this is where their similarities stop.


In conclusion:
2. Dependent (Subordinate) Clause Rule
14. Adverbial Clauses Rule
Similarities in the next two rules will take a bit of concentration.  Similar terms are used when being described.  The similarity of dependent/subordinate and subordinate/dependent is difficult to fathom at first, because they are the same words in mixed order.
They both:
1.          can come at the beginning of a sentence
2.          are dependent clauses
A dependent subordinate clause can be switched to the end of a sentence with the comma before it where the adverbial clause can be located in the middle of a sentence surrounded by commas. This is an identifying point used to tell the different between the two.
These are only a few of the similarities and differences, but it gives a little insight into the confusion tight knit rules present.