English Language Arts
Grade 9
15 min
Commas: review
Commas: review
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define etymology and foreign expression in the context of English writing.
Identify foreign expressions commonly used in English that require specific comma usage.
Correctly use commas to set off non-essential etymological explanations.
Differentiate between foreign expressions that are fully integrated into English and those that are treated as parenthetical elements.
Apply comma rules for foreign expressions in their own analytical and thesis-driven writing.
Analyze sentences from literature to identify and explain the use of commas with etymological and foreign phrases.
Ever wonder why we say 'RSVP' instead of 'please reply'? 🤔 English is a language of 'borrowed' words, and knowing how to punctuate them makes your writing...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
EtymologyThe study of the origin of a word and the historical development of its meaning.The etymology of 'muscle' comes from the Latin 'musculus,' meaning 'little mouse,' because the flexing of a bicep was thought to resemble a mouse moving under a rug.
Foreign ExpressionA word or phrase borrowed from another language and used in English, often to convey a specific nuance or tone. It is typically italicized if not fully integrated into English.The director's choice of music was the film's *coup de grâce*.
Parenthetical ElementA word, phrase, or clause inserted into a sentence as an explanation or afterthought. It is grammatically non-essential and is often set off by commas, parentheses, or dashes.The villain, a true *femme fa...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Setting Off Non-Essential Foreign Expressions
Use a pair of commas to set off a foreign expression when it acts as a non-essential parenthetical element or appositive.
If the foreign phrase could be removed without changing the fundamental meaning of the sentence, it should be enclosed in commas. This is common for expressions that add commentary, flair, or clarification.
Setting Off Etymological Explanations
Use commas to set off a phrase that explains the origin or meaning of a word, especially when it follows the word directly.
This rule applies when you are defining a term in-sentence. The explanation acts as a non-essential appositive, renaming or clarifying the term you just used.
No Commas for Integrated Expressions
Do not use commas to set off foreign words or...
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Challenging
Analyze the following sentence from a literary analysis essay: 'The ending, *deus ex machina* though it was, felt unearned by the protagonist.' Which statement best explains the comma usage?
A.The commas are incorrect; *deus ex machina* is an integrated expression.
B.The commas correctly set off a non-essential parenthetical clause that describes the ending.
C.Only one comma is needed after the word 'was'.
D.The commas create a comma splice between two independent ideas.
Challenging
Which sentence correctly differentiates between an integrated expression and a non-essential one?
A.The de facto leader, of the group, made the decision; it was his modus operandi.
B.The *de facto* leader of the group made the decision; it was his *modus operandi*, a predictable pattern of behavior.
C.The *de facto*, leader of the group made the decision; it was his *modus operandi* a predictable pattern of behavior.
D.The *de facto* leader of the group, made the decision; it was his *modus operandi*, a predictable pattern of behavior.
Challenging
A student argues that since *bona fide* is a Latin phrase, it must always be set off by commas, as in: 'The antique was, *bona fide*, a genuine artifact.' Based on the tutorial's principles, why is this reasoning flawed?
A.The reasoning is not flawed; all foreign phrases require commas.
B.The reasoning is flawed because *bona fide* is an integrated expression and should never be italicized or have commas.
C.The reasoning is flawed because comma usage depends on grammatical function; here, *bona fide* is an essential adjective meaning 'genuine' and should not have commas.
D.The reasoning is flawed because only etymological explanations, not foreign expressions, use commas.
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