How is it that the quiet little comma can wield such big power?
To pause?
Or not.
That is the question.
I don't know about you, but commas trip me up on occasion. To keep my tripping to a minimum, I compiled a fast fact comma list to keep me on my toes. Thought I would share it on the off chance that commas make you stumble too.
1) Use a comma to separate adjectives that
equally modify a noun.
Susan was afraid of the big, creepy
spiders in the shed.
2) To determine if the adjectives equally
modify the noun, switch them around. If the sentence is still clear, then they
modify equally.
Susan was afraid of the
creepy, big spiders in the shed.
3) Use commas between items in a series.
Mason brought chips, pickles,
and potato salad to the picnic.
4) Do not use commas when words are
separated by or, nor, or and.
Louise washed the car and hung
the laundry and watered the flowers.
5) Use a comma to separate parenthetical
elements in a sentence.
Ryan entered the chapel, tardy
as usual, and stood next to his bride.
6) Use a comma to set off an appositive.
An appositive is a word or phrase that explains something. An appositive is not
essential to the meaning of the sentence.
Our vacation home, a rustic and cozy cabin, is located
about sixty minutes from here.
7) Use a comma after an introductory
adverb clause.
After the wedding, Ryan and Megan went on their honeymoon.
8) Use a comma with an interjection or to
set off an interruption.
Hey, what am I supposed to do
now?
For him, well, it's just better that way.
For him, well, it's just better that way.
For other comma facts, check out this article, The Most Comma Mistakes by Ben Yagoda.
In other non comma news...
Congratulations to Kevlin, the winner of Band of Sisters by Cathy Gohlke! (Kevlin, please email me back asap. :)
So how about it, does the comma trip you up?
Happy writing,
Karen
Photo credit: Stock Exchange
