what are the simplest rules of comma usage and examples?

Question

i'm slightly confused in use of comma, are there any simple way to remember. also how do i write long sentences .

Answer 1

The comma is used to break up long sentences, this is true. However, there are other uses for the comma as well. Take it from me, I'm a novelist. (Uses of commas in these sentences were not meant to be puns. I just use them all the time.)

You can't just break up long sentences in any old place with a comma. It has to be done in the proper location. Some examples are provided below.

To seperate a transition from the rest of a sentence
(For example, I used a comma to seperate the transition from the rest of this sentence. However, it was meant to be an example. Also, that last sentence was an example. This one is an example, too.)

To seperate a flow of ideas, and provide a "resting place." Commas in this usage clue the reader to pause and/or take a breath.
(Cindy wanted to have a party, so she invited a lot of her friends. Her friends wanted to buy her a really neat present, but didn't know what she wanted.)

Commas are frequently used before words like "but," "and," "then," "if," "because," etc.
(When I was in school, there were some teachers who required it, and some who thought it was unneccesary. There's really no definitive law on it, but I think it makes the sentence flow better. These sentences are not just examples, because they are true facts.)

Knowing how to use the comma is essential to writing long sentences. Sentences need to include a noun (subject) and a verb (action). Using several adjectives (descriptions) will increase the length of the sententence a lot. Also, using a thesaurus to find longer words for to word you would like to use (superflous instead of extra, gigantic instead of big, sufficient instead of OK, etc) can make a sentence longer. Also, connecting two sentences into one using terms such as "as," "because," "causing," "then," or "in spite of," can make two seperate sentences into one super sentence.

For example, "There was outright pandemonium outside my school today, as several students were caught smoking outside the gym." (compared to "There was a lot of trouble outside my school today. Lots of kids were smoking outside the gym.")

Or, "A regrettable trend has become prominent in schools, made visible by the fact that so many teenagers have been caught smoking outside the gym." (Compared to "There's a new fad in school. Lots of kids are smoking outside the gym.")

I hoped this helps!

Answer 2

I have read the other answers to your question and I don't believe they give you the information you asked for. You asked for the simple uses of a comma.

To begin with, when, or if, you make a list of colours, or anything else, you would use a comma between each colour except for the last one before and. Therefore, you would write red, blue, green and white.

If you look at the last paragraph you will see how I have used my commas. You will see that I placed a comma after, to begin with, when, or if. I was taught that often words that were placed inside commas were words that if missed out of the sentence would not alter the meaning.

The use of, however or therefore, must always have a comma before and after. For instance, I know how to read, therefore, I am literate, however, I do not read everyday.

You will also see if you want to make two or three points in a sentence, you can begin each sentence with firstly, or secondly,. I have read back everything I have written and it seems equally as confused as the other explanations.

I forgot the obvious. Commas are mainly used to break up sentences. -- I woke up this morning feeling very happy, I don't know why, I just did.
I'm sorry if I have confused you even more.

Answer 3

A comma is use to break up a long sentence. It never comes before "and" or "but" or "because" as these are connectives (words which connect a sentence).

If you want to look really swish use a semi colon ; You use them in place of a full stop as long as the sentences are still talking about the same thing e.g. I like to sing songs on my playstation kareoke game; I sing mostly at weekend as that is when I have most free time.

Answer 4

What, are, you, talking, about? Why, would, you, ask?