✏️ Lesson 1: Advanced Comma Usage
Welcome to our B2 series on Writing Mechanics1! You already know the basic rules of using commas in lists. Today, we will learn some advanced ways to use commas to add information and make your writing clearer and more professional.
Rule 1: Commas with Non-Defining Clauses (Review)
As we learned in a previous lesson, a non-defining clause adds extra, non-essential information. The rule is simple: this clause must always be separated from the sentence with commas.
"My brother, who is a graphic designer, lives in Battambang."
"The Phare circus, which is famous all over Cambodia, started in a refugee camp."
Rule 2: Commas with Appositives
An appositive2 is a noun or noun phrase that sits next to another noun to rename it or give more information. When this information is non-essential, we separate it with commas, just like a non-defining clause.
"Mr. Dara, my English teacher, is very helpful." (The phrase 'my English teacher' renames Mr. Dara).
"We visited Wat Ek Phnom, an ancient 11th-century temple, on our trip." (The phrase 'an ancient...' gives more information about Wat Ek Phnom).
Rule 3: Commas (and Semicolons) in Series
You know how to use commas in a simple list. But what if the items in the list are long and already contain commas?
Simple Series (Commas):
"I need to buy rice, vegetables, and fish."
The Oxford Comma3 is the optional comma before 'and'. Both "rice, vegetables, and fish" and "rice, vegetables and fish" are correct. It's a style choice.
Complex Series4 (Semicolons):
If the items in your list are long or contain their own commas, use a semicolon (;)5 to separate the main items for clarity.
"The meeting was attended by Sothea, the manager from Phnom Penh; Dara, the head of sales; and Vanna, the new marketing assistant."
🧠 Practice Quiz: Add the Punctuation
Add the correct punctuation (commas or semicolons) to these sentences.
- My sister who lives in Australia is visiting next month.
Answer: My sister, who lives in Australia, is visiting next month. - We visited Angkor Wat a magnificent temple complex.
Answer: We visited Angkor Wat, a magnificent temple complex. - Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
a) I need to call my mother, my brother, and my aunt.
b) I need to call my mother; my brother; and my aunt.
Answer: a. This is a simple list and uses commas. - Add the correct punctuation: I have lived in three places Phnom Penh Cambodia Boston USA and Paris France.
Answer: I have lived in three places: Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Boston, USA; and Paris, France. (Semicolons are needed to separate the complex items).
📝 Homework: Write Your Own Sentences
Create your own sentences using these advanced punctuation rules.
- Write a sentence about a famous person, using a non-defining clause to give extra information.
(Example: Sinn Sisamouth, who was a legendary Cambodian singer, is still popular today.)
_________________________________________ - Write a sentence about a friend or family member, using an appositive to rename them.
(Example: My father, a retired teacher, loves to read books about history.)
_________________________________________ - Write a sentence listing three of your favorite meals.
(Example: My favorite meals are beef lok lak, chicken amok, and pork with rice.)
_________________________________________
Vocabulary Glossary
- Writing Mechanics: (Noun Phrase) - យន្តការនៃការសរសេរ (yôn'tâ'kaa ney kaa sâr'say) - The technical rules of writing, such as punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. ↩
- Appositive: (Noun) - នាមអនុបាទ (néam â'nu'baat) - A noun or noun phrase placed next to another noun to rename or identify it. ↩
- Oxford Comma: (Noun Phrase) - ក្បៀសអុកហ្វដ (k'piəh'ŏk'fwât) - The optional comma before the word 'and' at the end of a list. ↩
- Complex Series: (Noun Phrase) - ស៊េរីស្មុគស្មាញ (se'rii smŭk'smañ) - A list where the items themselves contain commas. ↩
- Semicolon (;): (Noun) - សញ្ញាក្បៀសចុច (sânh'nha k'piəh'chŏch) - A punctuation mark used to connect major sentence parts, often used to separate items in a complex series. ↩