The Comma: Pause for thought
In writing, the comma is supposed to provide the reader with
the opportunity to take a mental breath without actually stopping a thought
(that’s the period’s job). There are many different style guides, and it can
make the use of a comma a little harder to discern. Here is a simple guide:
When a conjunction connects two complete thoughts, you should use a comma. Example – The pig ran home, and the dog ran away. If you put a period after “home” and removed the “and,” the two phrases would still be complete sentences.
In a list, you should use a comma after every list item except for the one just before the conjunction unless you are using the Oxford comma. News, or AP style, does not use the Oxford comma. Example with the Oxford comma – apples, bananas, and strawberries; without the Oxford comma – apples, bananas and strawberries. Either way is okay as long as it is consistent.
Use a comma after a prepositional phrase at the beginning of a sentence. Example – When using a prepositional phrase at the beginning of a sentence, you should place a comma after the prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition. If allowed to stand on its own, it does not make a complete. If you do not know what a preposition is, you will need to consult a list.
Use a comma before “which” but not before “that” unless “that” is the subject of a sentence following a prepositional phrase. Example – The black cat, which was playing with the mouse… The back cat that was playing with the mouse… In the house, that was playing with a mouse (finger pointed at the cat).
When a conjunction connects two complete thoughts, you should use a comma. Example – The pig ran home, and the dog ran away. If you put a period after “home” and removed the “and,” the two phrases would still be complete sentences.
In a list, you should use a comma after every list item except for the one just before the conjunction unless you are using the Oxford comma. News, or AP style, does not use the Oxford comma. Example with the Oxford comma – apples, bananas, and strawberries; without the Oxford comma – apples, bananas and strawberries. Either way is okay as long as it is consistent.
Use a comma after a prepositional phrase at the beginning of a sentence. Example – When using a prepositional phrase at the beginning of a sentence, you should place a comma after the prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition. If allowed to stand on its own, it does not make a complete. If you do not know what a preposition is, you will need to consult a list.
Use a comma before “which” but not before “that” unless “that” is the subject of a sentence following a prepositional phrase. Example – The black cat, which was playing with the mouse… The back cat that was playing with the mouse… In the house, that was playing with a mouse (finger pointed at the cat).
CommentsNathan Says: I disagree that it's purpose is to give a mental pause. Generally, it's to separate parts of speech to increase clarity when you are reading complex sequences. There is often a pause that signifies the comma break, but the comma does not signify a pause.
There are several other uses for it, too - more than just the three listed in this article. The best explanation of comma usage that I've come across is Karen Elizabeth Gordon's "The Well Tempered Sentence: A Punctuation Handbook for the Innocent, the Eager, and the Doomed." |
|
Romina Says: I like the book "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" the best for explanations; just because I like the title itself so well.
|
|