One of the vital recurrently used punctuation marks, an errant comma can also be the adaptation between an entire sentence and an entire mess. On this submit, we’ll discover seven comma regulations that can stay your writing concise and coherent.
Ahead of we dive in, what’s a comma anyway? You’ll be able to bring to mind a comma as a lighter model of a duration. Whilst a duration ends a sentence full-stop, a comma is a smaller, softer pause. It may separate phrases, clauses, or concepts inside of one sentence.
1. Two entire sentences can best be hooked up with a comma when the usage of a coordinating conjunction.
A coordinating conjunction is a conjunction positioned between phrases, words, clauses, or sentences of equivalent rank. English has seven major coordinating conjunctions — for, and, nor, however, or, but, so — that can be utilized to weave in combination two entire sentences with a comma. You’ll be able to use the mnemonic FANBOYS to keep in mind them.
That is extra adore it! “So” is the coordinating conjunction that hyperlinks those two entire sentences in combination. Each ideas may stand on my own separated through a duration, however our FANBOYS let us hyperlink them along side the assistance of a comma. The Thankful Lifeless is your favourite band? It is sensible that you simply traveled thus far to look them.
2. Use a comma to hyperlink an incomplete sentence with an entire sentence.
An incomplete sentence doesn’t categorical an absolutely shaped idea and will’t stand by itself. On the other hand, you’ll use a comma to hyperlink an incomplete sentence with an absolutely shaped sentence that expounds upon and completes the concept. As an example:
3. Use the Oxford comma.
The Oxford comma is a arguable matter on the earth of punctuation. There’s nice ancient debate on whether or not the Oxford comma is essential, however we right here at HubSpot suggest the usage of it for accuracy and readability to your writing.
What’s the Oxford comma?
The Oxford comma is the general comma in an inventory of items. As an example: I desire a stapler, some rye bread, and a gallon of glue.
I don’t know what you should be making, however that’s the correct use of an Oxford comma in an inventory of things. Right here’s any other instance:
This sentence states that you simply watched a documentary about 3 distinct and influential New Yorkers. The Oxford comma makes it transparent that those are 3 other other people. If we overlook the Oxford comma, issues can get a little bit complicated:
4. Use a comma between two coordinate adjectives that describe the similar noun.
Coordinate adjectives are two or extra adjectives that describe the similar noun. If you happen to flip-flop your adjectives or pop an “and” in between them and the sentence nonetheless is sensible, you then’ve were given coordinate adjectives. If you happen to’re the usage of coordinate adjectives, consider to split them with a comma.
It is delicate, however the sentence doesn’t go with the flow as it should be with out a comma between psychedelic and spontaneous.
5. Use a comma (or pair of commas) to split non-essential knowledge in a sentence.
With out commas to split the non-essential knowledge, the sentence is long-winded and grammatically unsuitable. I’ll take a couple of commas with the ones ribs, please!
6. Be sure to position commas as it should be when the usage of quotes.
Normally, you should utilize a comma to introduce quotes or discussion in a sentence.
The explanation we want a comma on this instance is that the quoted subject material is syntactically unbiased, that means it stands with the exception of the encompassing sentence. Don’t be impolite! Introduce that mid-sentence quote with a comma.
On the other hand, as there incessantly are within the English language, there are exceptions to this rule. If the quote blends into the encompassing sentence, incessantly with the usage of a conjunction, you’ll overlook the comma.
7. Put a comma ahead of “whilst” to distinction two concepts.
In case you are the usage of “whilst” in a sentence to really imply “even if” or “while,” consider to position a comma ahead of it to stay the that means of your sentence transparent.
Using “whilst” on this sentence lets in us to distinction two BBQ ideologies.
With out the comma, the that means of whilst technically adjustments to “concurrently,” which doesn’t make sense on this context.
Moreover, in case you are the usage of “whilst” in the beginning of the sentence, you must position a comma on the finish of the clause that it introduces.
Using a comma after the clause that “whilst” introduces lets in us to retain the that means as “while” and distinction the 2 concepts.