One of the generally used punctuation marks, an errant comma may be the distinction between an entire sentence and an entire mess. On this put up, we’ll discover seven comma guidelines that can hold your writing concise and coherent.
Earlier than we dive in, what’s a comma anyway? You possibly can consider a comma as a lighter model of a interval. Whereas a interval ends a sentence full-stop, a comma is a smaller, softer pause. It may separate phrases, clauses, or concepts inside one sentence.
7 Comma Guidelines Each Author Ought to Know
- Two full sentences can solely be related with a comma utilizing a coordinating conjunction.
- Use a comma to hyperlink an incomplete sentence with an entire sentence.
- Use the Oxford comma.
- Use a comma between two coordinate adjectives that describe the identical noun.
- Use a comma to focus on extra, non-essential details about a noun.
- Be sure you place commas appropriately in quotes.
- Put a comma earlier than “whereas” to distinction two issues.
1. Two full sentences can solely be related with a comma when utilizing a coordinating conjunction.
A coordinating conjunction is a conjunction positioned between phrases, phrases, clauses, or sentences of equal rank. English has seven predominant coordinating conjunctions — for, and, nor, however, or, but, so — that can be utilized to weave collectively two full sentences with a comma. You need to use the mnemonic FANBOYS to recollect them.
Each of the above ideas are full sentences. Nonetheless, the shortage of one in every of our FANBOYS after the comma leads to a comma splice. The sentence is clunky with out the presence of a coordinating conjunction to hyperlink the 2 full ideas in a single sentence.
That is extra prefer it! “So” is the coordinating conjunction that hyperlinks these two full sentences collectively. Each ideas may stand alone separated by a interval, however our FANBOYS permit us to hyperlink them along with the assistance of a comma. The Grateful Lifeless is your favourite band? It is smart that you simply traveled to this point to see them.
2. Use a comma to hyperlink an incomplete sentence with an entire sentence.
An incomplete sentence doesn’t categorical a completely shaped thought and might’t stand by itself. Nonetheless, you need to use a comma to hyperlink an incomplete sentence with a completely shaped sentence that expounds upon and completes the thought. For instance:
“Regardless that I had work within the morning” is an incomplete sentence. Ending it with a interval makes it right into a cliffhanger of an unfinished thought, however a comma can save the day.
The usage of a comma and the next full sentence “I traveled 3,500 miles to see the Grateful Lifeless in Copenhagen.” make this right into a grammatically right sentence. One thing tells me you didn’t make it to work the subsequent day, although!
3. Use the Oxford comma.
The Oxford comma is a controversial subject on the planet of punctuation. There may be nice historic debate on whether or not the Oxford comma is critical, however we right here at HubSpot suggest utilizing it for accuracy and readability in your writing.
What’s the Oxford comma?
The Oxford comma is the ultimate comma in an inventory of issues. For instance: I want a stapler, some rye bread, and a gallon of glue.
I don’t know what you may be making, however that’s the right use of an Oxford comma in an inventory of things. Right here’s one other instance:
This sentence states that you simply watched a documentary about three distinct and influential New Yorkers. The Oxford comma makes it clear that these are three totally different individuals. If we omit the Oxford comma, issues can get slightly complicated:
Except Babe Ruth lived a secret lifetime of crime and thin-crust pizza, you may see how the absence of the Oxford comma on this sentence may confuse readers. Whereas each variations of the sentence are technically right, we suggest the Oxford comma to make sure your sentences are freed from ambiguity.
4. Use a comma between two coordinate adjectives that describe the identical noun.
Coordinate adjectives are two or extra adjectives that describe the identical noun. If you happen to flip-flop your adjectives or pop an “and” in between them and the sentence nonetheless is smart, you then’ve acquired coordinate adjectives. If you happen to’re utilizing coordinate adjectives, keep in mind to separate them with a comma.
Psychedelic and spontaneous are coordinate adjectives as a result of they collectively describe the noun, which is the music of the Grateful Lifeless. You possibly can reverse the order or substitute the comma for an “and” and the sentence means the identical factor. We suggest utilizing a comma.
It is refined, however the sentence doesn’t movement appropriately and not using a comma between psychedelic and spontaneous.
5. Use a comma (or pair of commas) to separate non-essential data in a sentence.
Though we respect the knowledge, “in a quest for the right rack of ribs” is non-essential to the primary level of the sentence, which is that my father-in-law spent means an excessive amount of on his grill. You need to use a single comma with the non-essential data firstly of the sentence, or a pair of commas to rope it off within the center, however don’t overlook your commas when including extraneous element.
With out commas to separate the non-essential data, the sentence is long-winded and grammatically incorrect. I’ll take a pair of commas with these ribs, please!
6. Be sure you place commas appropriately when utilizing quotes.
Typically, you must use a comma to introduce quotes or dialogue in a sentence.
The rationale we want a comma on this instance is that the quoted materials is syntactically impartial, which means it stands other than the encompassing sentence. Don’t be impolite! Introduce that mid-sentence quote with a comma.
Nonetheless, as there usually are within the English language, there are exceptions to this rule. If the quote blends into the encompassing sentence, usually with using a conjunction, you may omit the comma.
No comma is critical on this instance as a result of the quote blends into the sentence with using the conjunction “that.”
7. Put a comma earlier than “whereas” to distinction two concepts.
In case you are utilizing “whereas” in a sentence to basically imply “though” or “whereas,” keep in mind to position a comma earlier than it to maintain the which means of your sentence clear.
The usage of “whereas” on this sentence permits us to distinction two BBQ ideologies.
With out the comma, the which means of whereas technically adjustments to “concurrently,” which doesn’t make sense on this context.
Moreover, in case you are utilizing “whereas” firstly of the sentence, you must place a comma on the finish of the clause that it introduces.
The usage of a comma after the clause that “whereas” introduces permits us to retain the which means as “whereas” and distinction the 2 concepts.
