Julia Steinberg
The Comma (,)
Definition: “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)
History: Punctuation marks first came about as a result of ancient texts. It started as a way of sorting out the confusion by, for example, breaking material into longer and shorter sections. Punctuation was not used or even created in early times because there were no written texts, everything was spoken orally so there was no comma. “As time progressed so did language and punctuation. As the use of punctuation grew, rules were made for how to appropriately use a comma.” (Comma Project) The commas main use was to divide sentences into smaller units so that they can be understood more quickly and more precisely. The comma is one of the most commonly used pieces of punctuation and is also one of the most misused pieces of punctuation today. Although there are rules, the comma is the most overused piece of punctuation today.
Rules:
“Rule #1 In a simple series, use a comma to separate the elements, but don’t put a comma before the conjunction.
Rule #2 Use a comma to separate two independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction.
Rule #3 Use a comma following an introductory clause or prepositional phrase of four words or more.
Rule #4 Use commas to set off modifiers that are not essential to the reader’s ability to identify a particular person, place or thing.
Rule #5 Use commas to separate adjectives of equal rank.
Rule #6 Use commas to set off words that add emphasis, shift attention or provide a fuller explanation (parentheticals, “yes,” “no,” names in direct address).
Rule #7 Use commas to set off participial modifiers that come at the beginning of a sentence or after the verb.
Rule #8 Use a comma, carefully, to set off quotes or paraphrases.
Rule #9 Use a comma with hometowns, ages, years with months and days, names of states and nations with cities, affiliations and most large numbers.
Rule #10 Use a comma to separate duplicate words to eliminate confusion.”(Comma Project)
Examples:
“Some of my friends are going to Europe this summer, but I am planning a trip to Mexico. I am not only planning a trip to Mexico, but I am also planning a trip to Egypt.”
“After eating, the male lion rested in the nearby shade.
In the meantime, we continued to photograph the playful cub.”
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