How to Conquer the Comma

 

 By Andrea Merrell

Are you a writer who has trouble with comma usage? Unfortunately, there are no easy steps in mastering the use of this tiny punctuation mark. We can simply learn the rules, follow them the best we can, and hope for success.

As an editor, these are some of the common mistakes I see writers make. Here are a few examples to help you simplify the process.

Serial Comma

Use a comma to separate words/phrases in groups of three or more.

Incorrect: Maggie went to the circus with her sister, her mother and her best friend.

Correct: Maggie went to the circus with her sister, her mother, and her best friend.

 

The first sentence is incorrect because it can be misread, causing the reader to think Maggie’s mother is her best friend. Not all sentences will be misleading without the serial comma, but the best rule of thumb is to always use it in your writing to avoid confusion.

 

Comma Splice

Joining two clauses together with only a comma instead of a conjunction or semicolon causes a comma splice or spliced comma.

Incorrect: Phillip loves attending conferences, he attends one every year.

Correct:  Phillip loves attending conferences; he attends one every year.

Correct: Phillip loves attending conferences, and he attends one every year.

Correct: Phillip loves attending conferences. He attends one every year.

 

Sometimes a comma splice is appropriate, as in: He came, he saw, he conquered. They can be used, but use them sparingly

 

Commas with Independent Clauses

Use a comma to separate two independent clauses that are connected by a conjunction.

Incorrect: Susie went to the grocery store and she picked up items for the party.

Correct: Susie went to the grocery store, and she picked up items for the party.

 

Commas with Dependent Clauses

A comma is not necessary with two dependent clauses.

Incorrect: Michael went to the hardware store, and picked up paint for the project.

Correct: Michael went to the hardware store and picked up paint for the project.

 

The comma is not necessary because “picked up paint for the project” is not a complete sentence.

 

Comma Before Too

A comma is not necessary when the word too is used at the end of a sentence. It is only needed to emphasize an abrupt change in thought—which is typically not the case. 

Incorrect: Stan wanted to be part of the faculty this year, too.

Correct: Stan wanted to be part of the faculty this year too.

There is also no need for a comma after And or But at the beginning of a sentence.

Incorrect: But, Stan was unable to participate.

Correct: But Stan was unable to participate.

The rule to apply here is: When in doubt, look it up.

 

 Photo courtesy of Microsoft 365.