Structure of a sentence - commas...?

Question

Do we need a conjunction to use commas. What is the use of conjunction"," and what is the "golden rule" in using commas?

Answer 1

Do we need a conjunction to use commas?

No. There are specific rules of usage for commas:

1. Use a comma to separate the elements in a series
2. Use a comma + conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so) to connect two independent clauses.
3. Use a comma to set off introductory elements.
4. Use a comma to set off parenthetical elements like appositives.
5. Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives.
6. Use a comma to set off quoted elements or for typographical reasons.

Here's one list of comma rules:
http://www.nku.edu/~ocallaghant/Comma_files/v3_document.htm

What is the use of conjunction"
Conjunctions are words used as joiners.
Different kinds of conjunctions join different kinds of grammatical structures.

More explanation here:
http://www.towson.edu/ows/conjunctions.htm

" and what is the "golden rule" in using commas?
Be consistent.

Golden rule is used too commonly:

http://www.geocities.com/markboonejesusfreak/academic/commas
http://www.chipspage.com/gldnrule.html
http://www.grammargrotto.com/handbook.html
http://data.grammarbook.com/blog/?p=16

Answer 2

A conjunction is used to connect two words, phrases or clauses in a sentence. A comma is a temporary pause in a sentence. It is not always necessary that a conjunction is a pre-requisite for using a comma.
If in the above writing, one were to remove the full stop after 'sentence', add the word 'and' (or 'but') and make the following word 'its', then 'and' (or 'but') becomes a conjunction. There are other conjunctions commonly used conjunctions such as 'but', whereas', 'therefore', 'that', etc.
Sometimes two conjunctions are used one after the other, such as 'I wanted to buy groceries and, therefore, went to Wal-Mart'.
The sentences written above would show that commas are temporary pauses, and conjunctions are connecting words.

Answer 3

conjunction is used to combine two words or phrases.

on the other hand comma is used when you are pertaining to three or more things, and the conjunction there is used to mention the last thing you want to say.