When to Use the Comma
Using the comma correctly will make one a better writer.3 total reviews
Comment from Julie Helms
I'm so glad you chose the comma to write about. It is probably the most abused punctuation we have!
I do have a correction/clarification for you:
**Also use it when joining two complete thoughts
I went to the store, and brought chips and a dip.**
This isn't accurate. You only use the comma if the second clause is independent:
I went to the store, and I bought chips and a dip.
Your example has a dependent clause so doesn't take a comma. Your direction is correct (two complete thoughts) but your example is not.
**Janice love to exercise, especially yoga,
but sometimes she over does it.**
Janice loves to....she overdoes it.
Thanks for sharing!
Julie
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2024
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I'm so glad you chose the comma to write about. It is probably the most abused punctuation we have!
I do have a correction/clarification for you:
**Also use it when joining two complete thoughts
I went to the store, and brought chips and a dip.**
This isn't accurate. You only use the comma if the second clause is independent:
I went to the store, and I bought chips and a dip.
Your example has a dependent clause so doesn't take a comma. Your direction is correct (two complete thoughts) but your example is not.
**Janice love to exercise, especially yoga,
but sometimes she over does it.**
Janice loves to....she overdoes it.
Thanks for sharing!
Julie
Comment Written 17-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2024
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Thanks, will edit.
Comment from tfawcus
This will be a useful aide-memoire for me. I'm notoriously lax when it comes to comma use. It'll be good to have the rules at my elbow in an easily digestible and succinct form such as this. Thank you very much.
I still tend to read my work aloud and listen for the pauses. Sometimes, the correct comma usage just doesn't sound right.
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2024
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This will be a useful aide-memoire for me. I'm notoriously lax when it comes to comma use. It'll be good to have the rules at my elbow in an easily digestible and succinct form such as this. Thank you very much.
I still tend to read my work aloud and listen for the pauses. Sometimes, the correct comma usage just doesn't sound right.
Comment Written 17-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2024
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Thanks for the read and review. So pleased you find the poem useful. Reading aloud is an excellent way to edit, however, I find often we read what we want to say. I found this site helpful, Prowritingaid.com.
Comment from Pamusart
Hi
I don't know who you are because author information is not displayed for this contest.
But I wanted to tell you I wrote a more lighthearted poem about the comma and I'll be posting that soon I think
But sometimes I think the question mark is the most important punctuation because there's no other way to ask a question.
I know that commas can cause a pause that's important. I think that is the primary purpose of a comma to cause a pause and as you say separate things
I had always been taught that if you have two complete sentences and then you use and or or you have to put a comma before and and a comma after it.
You taught me some things that I knew long ago when I I was in school, but I forgot a lot of it. since I am a writer. I remember a lot of it too.
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2024
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Hi
I don't know who you are because author information is not displayed for this contest.
But I wanted to tell you I wrote a more lighthearted poem about the comma and I'll be posting that soon I think
But sometimes I think the question mark is the most important punctuation because there's no other way to ask a question.
I know that commas can cause a pause that's important. I think that is the primary purpose of a comma to cause a pause and as you say separate things
I had always been taught that if you have two complete sentences and then you use and or or you have to put a comma before and and a comma after it.
You taught me some things that I knew long ago when I I was in school, but I forgot a lot of it. since I am a writer. I remember a lot of it too.
Comment Written 17-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2024
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You are certainly not the only one who has forgotten lessons from way back when. Looking forward to reading a more lighthearted approach to that little guy with a tail. Thanks for the read and the feedback. Appreciated.