Topic: Comma Usage (do's and don't)

Guide: sprite_and_hamburger

COMMA:-

A punctuation mark (,) indicating a pause between parts of a sentence or separating items in a list is called a comma. This punctuation mark is most easy to use yet complicated. The comma is one of the most used punctuation. Below are the basic rules and a guide to know about a comma.

Comma with Subjects and Verbs:-

With few exceptions, a comma should not separate a subject from its verb.

Incorrect- My friend Min, is a wonderful singer.
Correct- My friend Min is a wonderful singer.

Incorrect- The things that cause me joy, may also cause me pain.
Correct- The things that cause me joy may also cause me pain.

Don't separate two nouns that appear together as a compound subject or compound object.

Incorrect- Dela will wear a sparkly red blazer, and high heels.
Correct- Dela will wear a sparkly red blazer and high heels.

Rule:- Don't use a comma in compound predicates unless there is a chance of misreading:

Incorrect- I meant to buy tickets for Sarah's show, but ran out of time.
Correct- I meant to buy tickets for Sarah's show but ran out of time.

Suzy waved enthusiastically at the docking ship, laughing joyously. (correct)
Incorrect: Seoyoon waved at Suzy, laughing joyously. (Who is laughing, Seoyoon or Suzy?)

Laughing joyously, Seoyoon waved at Suzy. (correct)
Seoyoon waved at Suzy, who was laughing joyously. (correct)

Comma Splices:-

When you want to join two independent clauses, you need a conjunction or a semicolon. A comma alone isn't strong enough to join them. This kind of mistake is called a comma splice.

Incorrect- We were out of milk, I went to the store.

You can fix a comma splice by adding a conjunction or changing the comma to a semicolon.

Ex with a conjunction: We were out of milk, so I went to the store.

Ex with a semicolon: We were out of milk; I went to the store.

Or, you can simply write the two independent clauses as separate sentences.

Ex:-We were out of milk. I went to the store.

Comma Within a Comparison:-

Don't use a comma before "than" when you're making a comparison.

Incorrect- This box is lighter, than that box.
Correct- This box is lighter than that box.

Incorrect- Hardcover books are more expensive, than paperback books.
Correct- Hardcover books are more expensive than paperback books.

Comma Before But:-

Use a comma before the word but if it is joining two independent clauses:

Incorrect- Rae is a good singer but she's an even better dancer.
Correct- Rae is a good singer, but she's an even better dancer.

If but is not joining two independent clauses, leave the comma out.

Incorrect- Monsha is intimidating, but sweet.
Correct- Monsha is intimidating but sweet.

Comma Before And:-

When you have a list that contains only two items, don't use a comma before the and.

Incorrect- May is cute, and smart.
Correct- May is cute and smart.

Comma Between Correlative Conjunctions:-

Typically, commas are unnecessary with correlative conjunctions.

Incorrect- Either the blue shirt, or the red sweater will look good with your jeans.
Correct- Either the blue shirt or the red sweater will look good with your jeans.

Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause:-

a. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while.

While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door.

Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class.

If you are ill, you ought to see a doctor.

When the snow stops falling, we'll shovel the driveway.

However, don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent clause follows it.

Incorrect- The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating.
Correct- She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar. (This comma use is correct because it is an example of extreme contrast.)

b. Common introductory phrases that should be followed by a comma include participial and infinitive phrases, absolute phrases, nonessential appositive phrases, and long prepositional phrases (over four words).

Having finished the test, he left the room.

To get a seat, you'd better come early.

After the test but before lunch, I went jogging.

The sun radiating intense heat, we sought shelter in the cafe.

c. Common introductory words that should be followed by a comma include yes, however, well.

Well, perhaps he meant no harm.

Yes, the package should arrive tomorrow morning.

However, you may not be satisfied with the results.

How to use commas in pairs:-

Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause.

Here are some clues to help you decide whether the sentence element is essential:-

• If you leave out the clause, phrase, or word, does the sentence still make sense?

• Does the clause, phrase, or word interrupt the flow of words in the original sentence?

• If you move the element to a different position in the sentence, does the sentence still make sense?

If you answer "yes" to one or more of these questions, then the element in question is nonessential and should be set off with commas. Here are some example sentences with nonessential elements:

Clause: That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only day when I am available to meet.

Phrase: This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food, on the other hand, is rather bland.

Word: I appreciate your hard work. In this case, however, you seem to have over-exerted yourself.

Do not use commas to set off essential elements:-

Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning with that (relative clauses). That clauses after nouns are always essential. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential.

That clauses after nouns:-

The book that I borrowed from you is excellent.

The apples that fell out of the basket are bruised.

That clauses following a verb expressing mental action:-

She believes that she will be able to earn an A.

He is dreaming that he can fly.

I contend that it was wrong to mislead her.

They wished that warm weather would finally arrive.

Examples of other essential elements (no commas):-

Students who cheat only harm themselves.

The baby wearing a yellow jumpsuit is my niece.

The candidate who had the least money lost the election.

Examples of nonessential elements (set off by commas):-

Fred, who often cheats, is just harming himself.

My niece, wearing a yellow jumpsuit, is playing in the living room.

The Green party candidate, who had the least money, lost the election.

Comma in series or list:-

Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.

Ex- The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

Ex- The candidate promised to lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce crime, and end unemployment.

Ex- The prosecutor argued that the defendant, who was at the scene of the crime, who had a strong revenge motive, and who had access to the murder weapon, was guilty of homicide.

Commas with More Than Two List Items:-

If there are more than two list items, those following US convention should use a comma before the conjunction (usually "and" or "or").

Ex- Please buy bread, milk, and cheese (US)

Those following UK convention should not use a comma.

Ex- Please buy bread, milk and cheese (UK)

Be aware that many in the UK use a comma, which is called a serial comma or an Oxford Comma. If your organization uses the Oxford Comma, you should too. Whatever convention you use, be consistent

The Oxford Comma:-

When a comma is used before the conjunction in a list, it is known as an Oxford Comma. Some people (mostly, but not exclusively, Brits) consider the Oxford Comma to be a waste of ink, while others (mostly, but not exclusively, Americans) strongly campaign for its inclusion. There really is no rule. You should follow whatever convention your company follows. If you don't have a company convention, then copy the convention used in a decent national newspaper. If you're free to make your own mind up, then pick a convention and be consistent. That is the golden rule!

Ex- Bread, milk and cheese (UK)

Ex- Bread, milk, and cheese (US)

Ex- London, Paris and New York (UK)

Ex- London, Paris and New York (US)

Use a comma near the end:-

Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift.

He was merely ignorant, not stupid.

The chimpanzee seemed reflective, almost human.

You're one of the senator's close friends, aren't you?

The speaker seemed innocent, even gullible.

COMMA ABUSE:-

Commas in the wrong places can break a sentence into illogical segments or confuse readers with unnecessary and unexpected pauses.

• Don't use a comma to separate the subject from the verb.

Incorrect: An eighteen-year-old in California, is now considered an adult.

Incorrect: The most important attribute of a ball player, is quick reflex actions.

• Don't put a comma between the two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate.

Incorrect: We laid out our music and snacks, and began to study.

Incorrect: I turned the corner, and ran smack into a patrol car.

• Don't put a comma between the two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses in a compound subject or compound object.

Incorrect (compound subject): The music teacher from your high school, and the football coach from mine are married.

Incorrect (compound object): Jeff told me that the job was still available, and that the manager wanted to interview me.

• Don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast).

Incorrect: The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating.
Correct: She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar. (This comma use is correct because it is an example of extreme contrast)

Uses of commas in quotation writing style:-

Verbal tags/dialogue tags:-

A dialogue tag is a narration we add to dialogue (either before, interrupting, or ending the dialogue) to show who's speaking as well as (in some cases) their manner of speaking.

A dialogue tag is the 'he/she/they/it said' (or grumbled, whined, moaned - more on alternative dialogue tags below).

Ex: "You really do look great," Emelina said.

If dialogue is followed by phrases like "she said", or "they said", and "he asked" then we will put a comma or the required punctuation at the end of the quotation.

Ex: "May loves flirting, but she is an angel," she said.

Action tags:-

An action tag, by contrast, shows actions or gestures that attribute and convey the tone or emotions of the speaker.

Ex: "I always forget you have so much auburn. Doc Homer had the same coloring, didn't he? Sort of reddish before he went gray?" She fingered her own shoulder-length hair.

Now, if the dialogue is followed by action then we will put a period or the required punctuation at the end of the quotation.

Ex: "Life is hard so I am." She wiped her tears.

Note: If a dialogue is followed by verbal tags then action, use 'comma' before closing the quotation.

Ex: "I work hard for this workshop," I said and wiped my blood, sweat, and tears.

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