Page 163 - DENG102_COMMUNICATION_SKILLS_II

Communication Skills-II

notes
Example: Ram, who sold more than anyone else in the company, was awarded the
salesmen’s trophy. (Non restrictive)

Example: A man who sold more than anyone else in the company was awarded the
salesmen’s trophy. (Restrictive sentence does not make sense without it)
6. To set off a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence.

Example: The foreman replied, “I have done all I can,” and left the room.

Do not use the comma

1. To separate subject and verb or verb and object

Example: WRONG: The company with the best reputation in this area, was awarded the
contract. (Subject-verb separation)
RIGHT: The company with the best reputation in this area was awarded the contract.
WRONG : The company knew last week, that it had been awarded the contract. (Verb-
object separation)
RIGHT: The company knew last week that it had been awarded the contract.
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Caution If words requiring punctuation (see (d) and (e) above) intervene between subject
and verb or between verb and object, the comma is then necessary.

Example: AB C Company, which has a good reputation in this area, was awarded the
contract. (Non restrictive clause intervenes between subject and verb)

The company knew last week, probably by Wednesday, that it had been awarded the
contract. (non restrictive phrase intervenes between verb and object).
2. To join two main clauses unless “and,” “but,” “or;’ “nor”, or “for” comes between them.

Example: WRONG: The Salesman displayed his goods, then he talked about the newest
product.
RIGHT: The Salesman displayed his goods; then he talked about the newest product,

RIGHT: The Salesman displayed his goods, and then he talked about the newest product.
3. To separate two words or phrases joined by “and,” “but”, “or,” “nor,” or “for”

Example: WRONG: I cannot remember whether the head office is in Calcutta, or in
Bombay.
RIGHT: I cannot remember whether the head office is in Calcutta or in Bombay.
4. To separate an adjective from the noun it modifies

Example: WRONG : We should choose an economical, flexible, plan
RIGHT: We should choose an economical, flexible plan.

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