Problem:

Every time you set your pen to paper, some testy copy editor runs over and writes “comma splice” all over your work.

Solution:

Learn to use the comma.

The comma is probably the least respected of all punctuation marks. Most anyone knows and cares when to use a period, question mark, or exclamation point, but most people think that the comma has so little power that it doesn’t matter whether you use one or not. The comma is surely the traffic guard of punctuation marks.

But the comma does matter. Without it, your sentences would just run along without giving the reader a chance to stop for breath. Follow these simple rules for using commas, and you’ll be a better, happier, smarter writer. Or at least one less plagued by copy editors.

1. Use to separate independent clauses, before the conjunctions and, but, so, or, nor, yet.

I like vanilla ice cream, but I love chocolate ice cream.

2. Use between three or more words or phrases in a series.

My favorite musicians are Mozart, Dolly Parton, and Lil Wayne.

Grammarians will notice that we just took a stand on the Oxford comma.

3. Use to set off dependent clauses or phrases, either at the beginning or the end of the sentence. Dependent clauses are phrases that do not make sense on their own. However, don’t set off a short (3 words or less) introductory phrase.

During my trip to California, I got a bad case of botulism.

You’re going to kill me, aren’t you?

Later he hid the body and cleaned the axe.

4. Use to separate nonessential clauses or phrases in the middle of a sentence (words or phrases that, if taken out, would not affect the meaning of the sentence. They are extra information.)

My cat, Cosmo, was named after a cartoon character.

5. Do not use commas to set off essential clauses or phrases (words or phrases that, if taken out, would affect the meaning of the sentence.)

Incorrect: The house, on the left corner of the street, is ours. (If you omitted “on the left corner of the street,” you’re left with “The house is our house.” Not very informative, huh?

Correct: The house on the left corner of the street is ours.

6. Use to separate items in place names and dates.

I used to live in Hell, Michigan.

I got married on May 24, 2003.

7. Use between two or more adjectives that describe the same noun.

He is a dirty, nasty boy.

Of course, there are a lot of edge cases. Comma use is not as simple on turning left on red; friendships have been ruined, companies bankrupted, wars lost over this little wisp of a mark.  For an excellent, if not British treatment, of the comma, read Eats, Shoots & Leaves.

For more information:

• Using Commas
• Punctuation Made Simple: Guide to Using Commas
• The Laughorist: Let’s Stop Serial-Comma Killing Now!

This article was written by Jennifer Roach http://jennifermroach.com Jennifer is a fiction writer, blogger, and freelance editor/proofreader. You can follow her on Twitter @jennifermroach or on MySpace . To see more posts click here

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