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Comma
[1] Definition
A comma is “the sign (,), a mark of punctuation used for indicating a division in a sentence, as in setting off a word, phrase, or clause, esp. when such a division is accompanied by a slight pause or is to be noted in order to give order to the sequential elements of the sentence. It is also used to separate items in a list, to mark off thousands in numerals, to separate types or levels of information in bibliographic and other data, and, in Europe, as a decimal point.” (Dictionary.com)
A comma also represents a phrase with an emphasis on “joining several phrases without any conjunctions.” (Burton)
[2] History The comma originated in the third century BC when the “Aristophanes of Byzantium invented a system of single dots that separated verses and indicated the amount of breath needed to complete each fragment of text when reading aloud.” (Wikipedia.com) The term “comma” was coined many years later. The mark that represents a comma today originated as a diagonal slash, which used to be used as a pause from the thirteenth to seventeenth centuries. In the sixteenth century, the diagonal slash dropped to the bottom of the line and curved, turning into the shape used today. (Wikipedia.com) [3] Rules and Examples There are many rules to using commas, but we are going to concentrate on where to place them. Sometimes when you place commas in the wrong place it gives the sentence a whole different meaning. Here are some of the more used rules about where to place a comma. A. You can use a comma when you are conjoining two independent clauses (grammar.edu) Example from Grammar.edu 1. He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base. 2. He hit the ball well but, he ran toward third base. We can see that it is very important to put commas before the conjunction. Example 2 from Truss 1. Eat here, and get gas. 2. Eat here and, get gas. We can see that the second sentence does not work because it does not read as smoothly. Example 3 from Meaghan Kimme 1. The dog rolls over well, but needs to work on playing dead. 2. The dog rolls over well but, needs to work on playing dead. We can see that the second sentence does not work because it does not read as well as the first. B. You use a comma “to separate coordinate adjectives.” (grammar.edu) Example from Grammar.edu 1. She is a little old lady. 2. She is a little and old lady. 3. She is a little, old lady. We can see that you would not put a comma in this sentence because an “and” would not sound right where the comma is. The rule here is that if you can put an “and” where the comma is, then you should use a comma. Example 2 from Grammar.edu 1. He is a tall, distinguished fellow. 2. He is a tall and distinguished fellow. 3. He is a tall distinguished fellow. We can see that you would put a comma in this sentence because the sentence can read as written in sentences one and two. Example 3 from Meaghan Kimme 1. The furry, hairy horse was getting its’ winter coat. 2. The furry and hairy horse was getting its’ winter coat. 3. The furry hairy horse was getting its’ winter coat. We can see that you can put an “and” between “furry” and “hairy”, therefore you can use a comma instead. [4] Recommended Readings I would suggest reading “Pause and Effect” by Malcolm B. Parkes if you would like to further your knowledge of commas. I would also suggest reading “Eats, Shoots & Leaves” by Lynne Truss if you are trying to relay how to use commas to younger people. [5] Bibliography Burton, Gideon O. "Articulus." Silva Rhetoricae. Brigham Young University. 26 Nov. 2008 <http://humanities.byu.edu/rhetoric/silva.htm>. Burton, Gideon O. "Comma." Silva Rhetoricae. Brigham Young University. 26 Nov. 2008 <http://humanities.byu.edu/rhetoric/silva.htm>. "Comma." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 29 Nov. 2008. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/comma>. "Rules For Comma Usage." Guide to Grammar and Writing. Capital Community College Foundation. 26 Nov. 2008 <http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm>. Truss, Lynne, and Bonnie Timmons. Eats, Shoots and Leaves : Why, Commas Really Do Make a Difference! New York, NY: Putnam Juvenile, 2006.
A comma is “the sign (,), a mark of punctuation used for indicating a division in a sentence, as in setting off a word, phrase, or clause, esp. when such a division is accompanied by a slight pause or is to be noted in order to give order to the sequential elements of the sentence. It is also used to separate items in a list, to mark off thousands in numerals, to separate types or levels of information in bibliographic and other data, and, in Europe, as a decimal point.” (Dictionary.com)
A comma also represents a phrase with an emphasis on “joining several phrases without any conjunctions.” (Burton)
[2] History The comma originated in the third century BC when the “Aristophanes of Byzantium invented a system of single dots that separated verses and indicated the amount of breath needed to complete each fragment of text when reading aloud.” (Wikipedia.com) The term “comma” was coined many years later. The mark that represents a comma today originated as a diagonal slash, which used to be used as a pause from the thirteenth to seventeenth centuries. In the sixteenth century, the diagonal slash dropped to the bottom of the line and curved, turning into the shape used today. (Wikipedia.com) [3] Rules and Examples There are many rules to using commas, but we are going to concentrate on where to place them. Sometimes when you place commas in the wrong place it gives the sentence a whole different meaning. Here are some of the more used rules about where to place a comma. A. You can use a comma when you are conjoining two independent clauses (grammar.edu) Example from Grammar.edu 1. He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base. 2. He hit the ball well but, he ran toward third base. We can see that it is very important to put commas before the conjunction. Example 2 from Truss 1. Eat here, and get gas. 2. Eat here and, get gas. We can see that the second sentence does not work because it does not read as smoothly. Example 3 from Meaghan Kimme 1. The dog rolls over well, but needs to work on playing dead. 2. The dog rolls over well but, needs to work on playing dead. We can see that the second sentence does not work because it does not read as well as the first. B. You use a comma “to separate coordinate adjectives.” (grammar.edu) Example from Grammar.edu 1. She is a little old lady. 2. She is a little and old lady. 3. She is a little, old lady. We can see that you would not put a comma in this sentence because an “and” would not sound right where the comma is. The rule here is that if you can put an “and” where the comma is, then you should use a comma. Example 2 from Grammar.edu 1. He is a tall, distinguished fellow. 2. He is a tall and distinguished fellow. 3. He is a tall distinguished fellow. We can see that you would put a comma in this sentence because the sentence can read as written in sentences one and two. Example 3 from Meaghan Kimme 1. The furry, hairy horse was getting its’ winter coat. 2. The furry and hairy horse was getting its’ winter coat. 3. The furry hairy horse was getting its’ winter coat. We can see that you can put an “and” between “furry” and “hairy”, therefore you can use a comma instead. [4] Recommended Readings I would suggest reading “Pause and Effect” by Malcolm B. Parkes if you would like to further your knowledge of commas. I would also suggest reading “Eats, Shoots & Leaves” by Lynne Truss if you are trying to relay how to use commas to younger people. [5] Bibliography Burton, Gideon O. "Articulus." Silva Rhetoricae. Brigham Young University. 26 Nov. 2008 <http://humanities.byu.edu/rhetoric/silva.htm>. Burton, Gideon O. "Comma." Silva Rhetoricae. Brigham Young University. 26 Nov. 2008 <http://humanities.byu.edu/rhetoric/silva.htm>. "Comma." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 29 Nov. 2008. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/comma>. "Rules For Comma Usage." Guide to Grammar and Writing. Capital Community College Foundation. 26 Nov. 2008 <http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm>. Truss, Lynne, and Bonnie Timmons. Eats, Shoots and Leaves : Why, Commas Really Do Make a Difference! New York, NY: Putnam Juvenile, 2006.
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