11 Things to Know about Commas in Writing

Summary

This video from the 'Level Up' series dives into the most misused punctuation mark in English: the comma. It outlines 11 key scenarios where commas are essential, such as in lists, before conjunctions like 'but' and 'and,' and in complex sentences involving clauses. The video also touches on the Oxford comma debate and common mistakes to avoid, like comma splices. Whether used with dates, adjectives, or interrupters, mastering commas can greatly improve writing clarity. Viewers are encouraged to check out more content and Grammarly for further writing assistance.

Takeaways

• 📋 The comma is often misused in English, and this video explains 11 scenarios where it's essential.
• 📝 Use commas to separate items in a list of more than two elements.
• 📚 The Oxford comma, also known as the serial comma, is optional but should be used consistently.
• 🔄 Place a comma before 'but' when it connects two independent clauses.
• ✅ When joining two independent clauses with 'and,' use a comma before 'and,' but not in a list of two items.
• ❌ Avoid comma splices by using conjunctions or semicolons between independent clauses.
• 🔍 Non-restrictive clauses (extra information) require commas, while restrictive clauses do not.
• 🖊️ Appositives, which provide extra information, should be set off by commas if non-essential.
• ⏳ Use commas after introductory phrases, especially if they are longer than four words.
• 📅 When writing dates in the month-day-year format, set off the year with commas.

Q & A

What is the primary function of a comma in a sentence?

A comma indicates a smaller break in a sentence, often used to separate words, clauses, or ideas. It's considered a 'soft pause' compared to a period.

When should commas be used with lists?

Commas should be used to separate items in a list that contains more than two elements. For example, 'Julie loves ice cream, books, and kittens.'

What is the Oxford comma, and is it always required?

The Oxford comma, also known as the serial comma, is the comma before the conjunction (such as 'and') in a list of three or more items. It is optional and a matter of style, but it should be used consistently if chosen.

How should a comma be used with the conjunction 'but'?

A comma should be placed before 'but' when it joins two independent clauses. For example, 'Cleo is a good singer, but she's an even better dancer.'

How can you correct a comma splice?

A comma splice, which is an error where two independent clauses are joined by a comma, can be corrected by adding a conjunction or replacing the comma with a semicolon. Alternatively, the clauses can be written as separate sentences.

What is the difference between restrictive and non-restrictive clauses, and how do commas affect them?

Restrictive clauses provide essential information and should not be set off by commas, while non-restrictive clauses add extra, non-essential information and should be set off by commas. For example, 'Posies Café, which Chester recommended, is a fantastic restaurant.'

What is an appositive, and when should commas be used with it?

An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun in the sentence. If the appositive is non-essential, it should be set off by commas. If it's essential, no commas are needed. For example, 'My partner, Angela, is a wonderful cook.'

When should a comma be used after introductory phrases?

A comma should usually follow a participle or adverbial phrase that introduces a sentence, especially if the phrase is longer than four words. For example, 'Grabbing her umbrella, Kate raced out of the house.'

How are commas used with dates?

When writing a date in the month-day-year format, the year should be set off by commas. For example, 'July 4th, 1776, was an important day in American history.'

What are interrupters or parenthetical elements, and how are commas used with them?

Interrupters or parenthetical elements are phrases that add extra information or emotion to a sentence and should be set off by commas. For example, 'The weather, I was happy to see, was beginning to clear.'