![]() This makes reading and understanding easier when done correctly.Īs you read, watch for examples of each rule in bold. The word “comma” comes from the Greek word koptein, meaning “piece which is cut off.” Therefore, a comma “cuts off” a piece of information from the rest of the sentence. All 5 rules have something in common: separating information. This article demystifies the top 5 comma rules so that you can feel more confident when writing. ![]() English is also relatively “comma-less” in comparison to other languages, adding another layer of confusion. We may be tempted to under-use commas because we aren’t confident that we know the rules, or we may be tempted to over-use them because we fear lengthy, run-on sentences. Please help! -Comma Me ConfusedĬhoosing when to use a comma can be overwhelming because it is governed by so many rules. I’m often called out for overusing commas, or not putting them in their proper place. In fact, he wrote more than two dozen of them.Dear Write Site, My comma use, is, all over the place. It can lead to a train wreck like this:Įxample: Mark Twain's book, Tom Sawyer, is a delight.īecause of the commas, that sentence states that Twain wrote only one book. In the second sentence, Bill is nonessential information-whom else but Bill could I mean?-hence the commas.Ĭomma misuse is nothing to take lightly. ![]() Why? In the first sentence, Bill is essential information: it identifies which of my two (or more) brothers I'm speaking of. The commas in the second sentence mean that Bill is my only brother. Now, see how adding two commas changes that sentence's meaning:Ĭareful writers and readers understand that the first sentence means I have more than one brother. We do not know which boy is meant without further description therefore,no commas are used. The boy who has a limp was in an auto accident. If we already know which Freddy is meant, the description is not essential. If something or someone is sufficiently identified, the description that follows is considered nonessential and should be surrounded by commas.įreddy, who has a limp, was in an auto accident. z 2022 In most sentences, a comma after such as would result in a comma splice. If such a phrase contains more than one preposition, a comma may be used unless a verb immediately follows the phrase.īetween your house on Main Street and my house on Grand Avenue, the mayor's mansion stands proudly.īetween your house on Main Street and my house on Grand Avenue is the mayor's mansion. Examples) When to use a comma with Such As. When an introductory phrase begins with a preposition, a comma may not be necessary even if the phrase contains more than three or four words.Įxample: Into the sparkling crystal ball he gazed. So what is it exactly A comma splice is a joining of two independent clauses with nothing but a comma. 'The hat does not fit, it's too tight.' Though regarded as an error in formal writing assignments, it can be carried off successfully in informal writing. However, if the introductory phrase is clear and brief (three or four words), the comma is optional.īut always add a comma if it would avoid confusion.Įxample: Last Sunday, evening classes were canceled. A comma splice is the joining of two independent clauses with a comma, e.g. When starting a sentence with a dependent clause, use a comma after it.Įxample: If you are not sure about this, let me know now.įollow the same policy with introductory phrases.Įxample: Having finally arrived in town, we went shopping.
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