LA COMA (4)

a) Se usa la coma para separar dos proposiciones independientes, las cuales estan unidas por: y , pero, o. Ejemplos

In the summer we went swimming  ,  and in the fall we went hunting

En el verano fuimos a nadar  ,  y en el otoño fuimos a cazar

We went to the movie  ,  but Helen stayed at home

Fuimos al cine  ,  pero Elena se quedó en casa

b) Si esas proposiciones independientes no están conectadas por: y, pero, o , todavía tienen relación en el significado, en ese caso será necesario escribir un punto y coma. Ejemplos:

In the summer we went swimming   ;  in the fall we went hunting

En el verano fuimos a nadar   ;  en el otoño fuimos a cazar

We went to the movie  ;  Helen stayed at home

Fuimos al cine  ;  Elena se quedó en casa

c) La coma también se usa en oración directa (direct speech), como sigue:

John said  ,  "I may be somewhat late"

Juan dijo  ,   Puedo estar algo atrasado

"I may be late  , " John said  ,  "because I have several important appointments."

Puedo estar atrasado  ,  dijo Juan  ,  "porque tengo muchas citas importantes"

d) No es necesario escribir una coma cuando la oración  tiene signo de interrogación, admiración o comillas. Ejemplos:

" Are you busy? " John asked

" ¿Estas ocupado? " preguntó Juan

" I won't go! " Helen shouted

"  ¡ No iré ! Elena sentenció

Ejercicios

Escribir la coma según corresponda:

1) Helen is a good student but Mary es far more clever

2) We first went to the theatre later we had dinner in a small cafe

3) Mary can swim and can dance well

4) Mary can swim well bur she cannot dance at all

5) John came Mary came William came in fact almost all our friends dropped in during the course of the evening

6) The river lay shining in the distance but I was in no mood to appreciate its beauty

7) He came later however he missed little of the lesson

8) My friends came frequently that winter and brought with them many gifts

9) John was much pleased with our attention consequently he was all smiles

10) They were cautious but I gambled heavily and came home with a small fortune

11) John said to me I will see you at about five

12) I believe said our visitor that you will find my words quite true

13) Where are you going John asked me

14) John said to us sternly wait here

15) I asked him politely can you tell me where the museum is located

16) I shall be glad to oblige you he said

17) O course it is strange Smith said that we have had no word from him

18) Where do you suppose he can be Helen asked

19) He has certainly left no clue to his whereabouts Mary added

20) But I am sure he is not lost I said otherwise his family would have been alarmed by this time

21) We found gum candy a knife and sundry other things in his pockets

22) He was born in February 1869 in Ohio

23) Please come with us Maty begged or I shall be quite angry

24) The goods were delivered on time however one chair was badly broken

25) The goods were delivered on time however one chair was badly broken

26) The sky having cleared we got out our rackets and hurried to the courts but unfortunately they were still too wet

27) The day which was a hot one passed uneventfully

28) We all got into the car  then John pressed the self starter but the motor refused to start

29) Try it once more John said.

30)  It is useless William replied I know this pile of junk and we should never have bought it

31) Besides the price was much too high Helen remarked

32) We can if we hurry get there by noon

33)  We can get there by noon if we hurry

34)  If we hurry we can get there by noon

35) Wednesday June 21 1944 was one of the most delightful days which I can remember not only from the point of view of pure pleasure but also from sentimental considerations.