Commas, commas, and commas

[rec]

In checking some editing that I'm doing, I found a tidy, clear guide on the punctuation of commas.

 

 

http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/commas.html

 

It went into my Favorites list.

[Menzoberranzen]

In checking some editing that I'm doing, I found a tidy, clear guide on the punctuation of commas.

 

 

http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/commas.html

 

It went into my Favorites list.

 

Oh rec, a little part of me dies every time you remove my superfluous commas...

 

Great guide. I especially liked the bit on 'X,Y,Z.' Their rule for always using commas at the end of lists with 'complicated' items is a rule I've always follwed, but never seen written out officially.

 

Menzo

[JamesSavik]

A cat has claws on the end of his paws,

A comma is a pause at the end of a clause.

 

-unknown grammar teacher's axiom

[CarlHoliday]

I used to use commas to excess. Then I started writing less complex sentences. Now, I try to limit my use of commas.

 

This is a good reminder of those instances where a comma isn't appropriate and is quite often totally offensive to grammarians everywhere. :wacko:

[S.L. Lewis]

Thank you for putting this up. I've been looking for a good site for one of the writers who I beta/edit for since he has problems with commas and this has helped me emmensly.

[GaryK]

Thank you for putting this up. I've been looking for a good site for one of the writers who I beta/edit for since he has problems with commas and this has helped me emmensly.

I often call my author a comma queen.

[S.L. Lewis]

I often call my author a comma queen.

 

 

*cackles* That's funny. But seriously, most people don't know how to use a comma. It's pathetic sometimes.

[Tiff]

*cackles* That's funny. But seriously, most people don't know how to use a comma. It's pathetic sometimes.

I think the problem with comma use or its misuse is that some people write like they read or talk, you know? So when they pause in a sentence, or several times, they place a comma, even if it's not supposed to be there, from a grammar perspective. I know I do that a lot in my stories. I for one always have some trouble with commas. When it comes to story writing, I don't always follow the rules with commas. When I read it, it sounds better with a certain amount of commas and I prefer to keep it that way, even if it comes off as annoying. Although not too many, because then it becomes excessive and just plain crazy!

[darkfoxprime]

This is a good resource; thanks for posting it!

 

The only part I disagree with is one of the FANBOYs pieces - where a FANBOY is connecting a complete thought to an incomplete thought. I still believe that a comma before that FANBOY is appropriate, to indicate that the subsequent phrase is separate from the preceding.

 

Also, did they leave out "then" from the list of FANBOYs?

 

- dfp

[TalonRider]

Before I suggest a comma to an author, I usually check the whole sentence to make sure it fits good. It's the same thing when it comes to deleting a comma.

[Benji]

Before I suggest a comma to an author, I usually check the whole sentence to make sure it fits good. It's the same thing when it comes to deleting a comma.

 

 

.......I'm sure I use enough comma's in my posts here, probably, way, way, too much!!

[TalonRider]

.......I'm sure I use enough comma's in my posts here, probably, way, way, too much!!

That could be a problem, but you're not the only one. This is what I would send back to the author, quoting you, of course.

.......I'm sure I use enough comma's in my posts here. Probably way, way too much!!

 

Jan

[Benji]

That could be a problem, but you're not the only one. This is what I would send back to the author, quoting you, of course.

.......I'm sure I use enough comma's in my posts here. Probably way, way too much!!

 

Jan

 

 

,

[TalonRider]

[AFriendlyFace]

Great guide. I especially liked the bit on 'X,Y,Z.' Their rule for always using commas at the end of lists with 'complicated' items is a rule I've always follwed, but never seen written out officially.

Personally, I always insist on the "oxford comma" and am sorry that it's even optional. Thus, I certainly agree that it needs to be mandatory for more complicated lists.

 

A cat has claws on the end of his paws,

A comma is a pause at the end of a clause.

 

-unknown grammar teacher's axiom

That could be a problem, but you're not the only one. This is what I would send back to the author, quoting you, of course.

.......I'm sure I use enough comma's in my posts here. Probably way, way too much!!

 

Jan

 

.......I'm sure I use enough comma's in my posts here, probably, way, way, too much!!

 

LOL, I'd have done:

 

...I'm sure I use enough commas in my posts here - probably way, way too many!