The Art of the Comma

Commas: Small but Potent

I’ve previously written about the semicolon and its misuse. The comma is yet another punctuation mark that begs for understanding. From my experiences as a workshop facilitator, a teacher, and as a proofreader and editor, I’ve concluded that the comma gets overused and underused at about the same rate. One night I read two pieces of writing, each from a different author. The first one had so many extra commas that I jokingly thought that there must have been a sale at the comma store (a little writerly humor?). The second paper, though, desperately needed the first writer’s spare commas.

I’m here to tell you that there are enough commas for everyone; it’s just a matter of knowing how to use them. Below, I highlight five rules for better comma usage. It’s important to note, though, that there is a certain level of subjectivity in comma usage (which I’ve addressed to some extent in my explanations). The main point is to communicate effectively.

1. Use commas when addressing someone.

You may have seen the meme floating around the internet where one person has written this: “Commas are important people.” And someone else has responded with this: “Commas aren’t people.”

Without the comma after important, the word important is modifying people, and the original sentence is therefore stating that commas are people, important ones at that. If you want to address people and tell them how important commas are, you need to add a comma and write: “Commas are important, people.”

I live in a university town, so there are always signs up at the beginning of each semester that say things like “Welcome students!” I never know how to interpret these signs. Without the comma after welcome, it’s a directive, a command; it’s basically someone saying, “You’d better welcome these students.” It’s possible that that’s what’s intended, but it’s more likely that they mean to write this: “Welcome, students!” With the comma there, students can feel welcome and know that they’re being welcomed.

Along those same lines, I’ve been walking past this sign (pictured below) on a daily basis, and it drives me crazy. I assume that the intent is to apologize to Kentucky (a “sorry, not sorry” kind of apology but an apology nonetheless), but as written, sorry is an adjective modifying Kentucky; therefore, the sign is not offering an apology to Kentucky. (This is why the world needs proofreaders and editors, by the way.)

The prescriptivist in me wants to tell you that you should always use a comma in a direct address, simple phrases like “Happy birthday, Rosie!” or “Hi, Mom!” Descriptivists, though, might argue that the comma in “Happy birthday, Rosie!” or “Hi, Mom!” is unnecessary and that nobody uses commas there anymore. Indeed, there’s no ambiguity if the comma is left out of either example. If we’re looking for clear and effective communication (readability and clarity and all that), we’ve got it (unlike with the earlier examples). So, really, my point is that you should consider the full context. And remember, too, that “Let’s eat, Grandma!” is a nice (civil) suggestion, whereas “Let’s eat Grandma!” is a cannibalistic one. A properly placed comma can save a life!

So, while writing “Hey Rosie!” (without a comma) would likely not confuse anyone, writing “Time to eat Rosie!” would definitely change the intended meaning, assuming that the intended meaning is that you are telling Rosie that it’s time to eat.

This comma rule for direct address is true no matter where the name (addressee) falls in the sentence, as shown in the below examples.

After you eat your kibble, Rosie, you can have a treat. [Rosie’s my dog.]

Rosie, would you please eat your dinner? [Rosie’s a picky eater.]

Good girl, Rosie! [This is after Rosie finally eats her kibble.]

2. Use a comma between two independent clauses combined with a coordinating conjunction.

Example: Rosie hasn’t eaten yet, but Ripley is finished and ready for his after-dinner treat. [Ripley is also a dog.]

Here’s a quick review of some terms: An independent clause is a clause that can stand alone–independently. (A clause, whether it be independent or dependent, contains both a subject and a verb.) A coordinating conjunction is a word that can combine two thoughts together–it generally shows how one idea connects to the other. To recall the various coordinating conjunctions, you might remember this acronym from your schooldays: FANBOYS. F = for, A = and, N = nor, B = but, O = or, Y = yet, S = so. [Please note that these words may also be used in ways that don’t require a comma. So, for example, has multiple meanings and is not always used as a coordinating conjunction.]

A conjunction does not always require a comma, though, even if it’s combining two thoughts together.

Example: Ripley is done eating and wants to go outside.

No comma is required because “wants to go outside” is not an independent clause. The proofreader and editor (and prescriptivist) in me will typically remove a comma if it’s placed in a sentence such as that one. That said, occasionally a comma is used in such instances for emphasis and/or clarity. This may be more common in creative writing, though, when rules are a bit more flexible (artistic license and all that). In professional and academic writing, I suggest avoiding the use of a comma in that particular construction unless it seems absolutely necessary for emphasis and/or clarity.

Additionally, the comma is sometimes considered optional between two very short independent clauses joined together with a coordinating conjunction. Both of the below examples could be considered correct (according to some grammar books). However, I prefer the second one.

Ripley ate but Rosie didn’t.

Ripely ate, but Rosie didn’t.

3. Use a comma after an introductory phrase/clause.

If you take a look at this sentence you’re reading, you’ll notice that it starts with an introductory clause. If you begin a sentence with an introductory clause, that clause should almost always be followed by a comma. These introductory clauses may start with a variety of subordinating conjunctions, such as because, until, although, since, etc. Remember that a clause contains both a subject and a verb. An introductory clause is a dependent clause, which means that it cannot stand alone; it is dependent on an independent clause. Take a look at the following examples:

Because you want to improve your writing, you are reading this blog post. [The main clause is “you are reading this blog post”; “Because you want to improve your writing” is a dependent clause. If you flip the clauses, a comma should generally not be used: You are reading this blog post because you want to improve your writing.]

Since the weather was nice today, I spent a lot of time outside. [The main clause is “I spent a lot of time outside”; “Since the weather was nice today” is a dependent clause. As in the first example, if you flip the clauses, you will generally omit the comma: I spent a lot of time outside since the weather was nice today.]

Introductory phrases (e.g., prepositional phrases) and transitional words at the beginning of a sentence usually require a comma to follow them as well. See the below examples:

To keep my dog healthy, I walk her daily and feed her quality food.

However, I don’t like to walk her if it’s icy and cold outside. [Note that however can also be used to start a dependent clause, in which case the comma would follow the complete clause.]

An active little dog, she looks forward to our daily walks.

However, for short phrases (especially time phrases), there is often some subjectivity. Either of the below examples could be considered correct:

On Friday, my dog had a vet appointment.

On Friday my dog had a vet appointment.

Not surprisingly, I prefer the sentence with the comma. I believe that the comma adds clarity and is easier to read. When beginning a sentence with words such as now, today, yesterday, etc., whether or not to use a comma depends heavily on the context and somewhat on personal preference.

4. Use commas to set off appositives.

An appositive is a phrase that provides additional or identifying information about a noun or noun phrase, as in the below examples (the appositive is bolded in each example):

Rosie, my cute little dog, is sleeping right now.

Ripley, my parents’ dog, is probably sleeping, too.

A prolific and talented writer, John Steinbeck is the author of a number of well-known novels.

I’ve read most of Steinbeck’s novels, and I’ve also read most of the novels by Milan Kundera, a Czech-born French writer.

An appositive can fall anywhere in a sentence, as you can see in the examples, and it should be surrounded by commas. If the appositive begins or ends the sentence, there will, of course, only be one comma “surrounding” it. [Note: Other punctuation is also possible with appositives (e.g., parentheses), but there are variables to consider–this will not be discussed in this post.]

5. Don’t use commas as end punctuation.

Although it’s a very common misuse of commas, I’m putting this rule last because it’s a “don’t” rather than a “do.” The technical term is “comma splice.” If someone tells you that you have a comma splice, this is not a compliment. As a quick caveat, it’s important to note that sometimes comma splices can be used purposely and effectively in creative writing (or even in informal writing). But not usually in professional or academic writing. It’s sloppy and can often make for difficult reading. You might be surprised to know that in my creative writing endeavors, I often break grammatical rules (yes, me, the prescriptivist!). Even in my blog posts. Like this sentence and the one before it–where I’ve used sentence fragments. Sentence fragments can work in informal writing but should be avoided in academic writing. Same with comma splices. They key is that you need to understand the rules before you can break them. When you understand them, then you can break them effectively. So, until then, avoid comma splices!

But how does one avoid a comma splice? In my experience, one reason that comma splices occur is because writers are trying to write complex sentences or express complicated thoughts. Both are noble feats, but if a reader cannot clearly understand the sentences or thoughts, it defeats the purpose.

Sometimes writers are just writing fast, trying to get their thoughts down.

Example: This is what I want to say, I want to say this too, I also want to say this. [In this example, there are three independent clauses combined together with only commas. You cannot do this!]

To fix comma splices, usually it’s just a matter of replacing a comma with a period (or sometimes a semicolon) or adding a conjunction.

Example: This is what I want to say, but I want to say this too. I also want to say this.

By simply adding the but and changing the last comma to a period in the above example, the problem has been fixed. Simple, right? The key, as I see it, is to understand what an independent clause is and recognize that two independent clauses cannot be joined together by just a comma. When I’ve tutored students who have multiple comma splices in their writing, I generally recommend that they take a step back and make their sentences simple. Generally speaking, you don’t want to write in only simple sentences. You want a variety of sentence structures in your writing. However, if you’re having trouble with comma splices, it can be helpful to separate those independent clauses to see what you have. From there, you can work on combining them again–accurately. It’s a start, at least.

Commas are Complex (Comma-plex?)

Commas are one of the most complicated bits of punctuation. This overview of rules is by no means comprehensive. It barely even scratches the surface. But hopefully it demystifies some areas of common comma usage (and misuse).

If you want to learn more about commas, you could certainly read a grammar book or two, but you can also do something else: I urge you to analyze writing as you read it. Study how words are used. Study how punctuation is used. Consider how a sentence would be different without the punctuation it contains. If you disagree with the punctuation, think about why. It’s important to note that not everything you read will be punctuated correctly. Additionally, different newspapers/magazines/journals may have different style guides dictating different “rules.” But the more you study others’ writing, the more you’ll improve as a writer yourself.