I hate commas. Could anyone tell me how and when to use them correctly?

Question

In easy terms please, and examples would be great. My book is a piece of a crap...

COMMA SPLICE HAS ME INTIMIDATED UP THE ***!

Answer 1

1. Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.
2. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.
3. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause.
4. Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning with that (relative clauses). That clauses after nouns are always essential. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential.
5. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.
6. Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. Be sure never to add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself or to use commas with non-coordinate adjectives.
7. Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift.
8. Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer back to the beginning or middle of the sentence. Such phrases are free modifiers that can be placed anywhere in the sentence without causing confusion. (If the placement of the modifier causes confusion, then it is not "free" and must remain "bound" to the word it modifies.)
9. Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names.
10. Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation.
11. Use commas wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading.
12. Don't use a comma to separate the subject from the verb.
13. Don't put a comma between the two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate.
14. Don't put a comma between the two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses in a compound subject or compound object.
15. Don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast).

Please see link for examples

Answer 2

Basically, commas are used as kind of written "breaths"--they help separate one part of a sentence (that could stand on its own) from another part of a sentence (that could stand on its own). Example: "We looked for you, but you weren't there." See how that's kind of two different thoughts, separated by a comma? "We looked for you." "But you weren't there." You wouldn't put the comma anywhere else in that sentence because then it couldn't be broken into two sentences that make any sense. For example, you wouldn't write "We looked for you but, you weren't there," because if you broke that into two sentences you'd have "We looked for you but." "You weren't there." See how that first sentence is just wrong? That's why the comma doesn't go after "but."

Unfortunately, there are many other ways that commas are used as well. Too many to list here.

If you're having trouble understanding the book you have, get a copy of Strunk and White's Elements of Style. It's a very thin, cheap book that is available at most bookstores and libraries. It does a very good job of giving you the basics about all kinds of punctuation, and it's easy to understand.

Answer 3

It would take me a long time to help you with this, but let me give you at least this much for advice: understand the difference between a complete sentence (independent clause) and a sentence fragment (dependent clause).

If you understand that much, you can figure out commas.

Answer 4

In a list of items

Cats, dogs, and pigs eat.

A phrase that tells more about the subject (appositive)
Jane, the housekeeper, is nice.

To set apart dates

On May 14, 1997, we were wed.

Answer 5

As far as I know they're mostly used to note a pause and to also list several things.
For instance: Red, Blue, Green, White - listing something.... or as a pause, but they are not necessary to use before the word 'and'

Answer 6

first, don't, overuse, them, it makes for, terrible, reading.

the basic rule with commas is, if you read the sentence aloud, put a comma when you take a breath or a small pause. A big pause is a period.

Answer 7

For occupations or titles...:
Ex: Joe, the technician, did not do very well.

Correcting run-on sentences (Combining 2 sentences, using an interjection. Ex:and, but, also etc.)...:
Ex: There was nobody there, and they didn't want to start without them.

To show short pauses in speach...:
Ex: And, since they weren't in trouble, they decided to leave.

Answer 8

When there is a pause or another idea/concept. Mostly after you, and long lists of words (cats, dogs, birds) Like this' I read this book, it was really great.'
'And this boy, you really liked him? '

Answer 9

No, I wish, I could, but I am having, enough troubles, with my commas.

Answer 10

When in doubt leave it out. I have yet to have any English teacher tell me there is an iron clad way to know or any absolute rules.