Clarity in writing is paramount. Correct use of commas keeps readers from scratching their heads and trying to sort out what you really meant to say.
Commas in a series
One challenge writers face today is remembering where to place commas when they come to an end of a series. Because different publications use different conventions, you may see commas omitted when you think they should logically be there. This lack of standardization causes confusion for writers and can cause misunderstanding by the reader.
Unless you are instructed otherwise by a publication, separate all items in a series with commas. There. How hard is that?
crock pot
Examples:
Carrie and Josh bounced into last night’s pot luck dinner with cheese dip, homemade chips, crockpot chili, and sour cream.
Michael’s classes this semester are English, trigonometry, physics, and East Asian history.
Setting off nouns of direct address
When we write a sentence addressed to someone and use his name, we are directly addressing the person. Use a comma to separate the name from the rest of the sentence.
Examples:
Tell us, Patrick, where did you get the firecrackers?
Susan, will you help me make the beds today?
Setting off yes and no
Whenever you are answering someone with a yes or no, set these words off by a comma.
Examples:
Yes, you may go ride your bike for an hour.
No, I don’t think we’ll be able to attend.
Interrogative tags
Interrogative tags are words addressed to someone that are part of a longer phrase. They turn a statement into a question. Use a comma to separate the interrogative tag from the rest of the sentence.
Examples:
The play at the Orpheum this week is really good, isn’t it?
Vanessa seems to bring out the best in people, doesn’t she?
Mild Interjections
Interjections are words used to express surprise or emotion. A mild interjection is the written way of expressing a moderate or neutral level of emotional response to someone. Use a comma to separate the mild interjection from the rest of the sentence.
Examples:
Oh, I don’t think that will be necessary.
Well, all-terrain vehicles can be a lot of fun, but you have to be careful riding them.
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s post. These are some of the easier applications of the comma. In the next posts, we’ll cover more about this very useful punctuation.
