When do I use a comma??

Question

How do I know, for example, when to use one.
(was that proper usage?) Too confusing.

Answer 1

that was excellant usage. use one whenevr u would naturally pause when saying a sentence. also: i like cake, apples, muffins and bananas. when listing words u use one after each except the word before 'and'. sorry if that confuses u

Answer 2

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The comma is a valuable, useful punctuation device because it separates the structural elements of sentences into manageable segments. The rules provided here are those found in traditional handbooks; however, in certain rhetorical contexts and for specific purposes, these rules may be broken.

Using Commas:

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.
a. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while. However, don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast).
b. Common introductory phrases that should be followed by a comma include participial and infinitive phrases, absolute phrases, nonessential appositive phrases, and long prepositional phrases (over four words).
c. Common introductory words that should be followed by a comma include yes, however, well.

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. When you use just the month and the year, no comma is necessary after the month or year: "The average temperatures for July 1998 are the highest on record for that month."

10. Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation.

11. Use commas wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading.


Comma Abuse:

Commas in the wrong places can break a sentence into illogical segments or confuse readers with unnecessary and unexpected pauses.

1. Don't use a comma to separate the subject from the verb.

2. Don't put a comma between the two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate.

3. Don't put a comma between the two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses in a compound subject or compound object.

4. Don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast).

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Have a look at the website for the rules with examples.

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Answer 3

There's a great website site called the O.W.L. (Online Writing Lab) sponsored by Purdue University that has a good explanation about commas and other grammar points.
Go to your search engine (I like Google) and type in grammar, look for the O.W.L. and then choose commas. Just putting in a comma where you would breathe or pause is not correct. There are definite rules for using them. Good luck!
BTW - you used commas correctly in your question. Great job!

Answer 4

OK it's pretty confusing to me too but we use commas for small pauses.Example:Of course,it is.
Mars,for example,is likely to have life on it.

Answer 5

Say the sentence out loud, if you need a pause, or a breath, use a comma.

Answer 6

Try to read what you're typing and when you feel that you need to pause for a while, place a comma there.

Answer 7

that, in my opinion, is the proper usage.

Answer 8

yea it's confusssssin. Someone told me to do what the girl ^^above said & it works..sometimes!


btw i was referin to what "renclrk" said - prbly a guy not a girl.
who knows!
:/

Answer 9

when in doubt, use a comma.


:)