When it comes to writing down something, punctuations play a key role. Commas can particularly turn out to be a tricky punctuation mark. There are certain cases where it becomes extremely necessary to know where one should put a comma. For example, while one separates items in a list, commas are a must. However, there are other instances where it becomes quite confusing whether to use a comma or not.
Commas are somewhat a difficult punctuation mark to master. There are situations when you know you should use a comma, take for example that when you are separating items in a list, but also you’re unsure sometimes, Isn’t it?
There is pretty flexibility in how the writers can make use of commas, but it is very important to have clear ideas about the rules. If you are unaware of those rules, you have landed at the right place. The top assignment writing services are meant to guide you with all the rules that you need to know about using a comma. Additionally, it will also assist with relevant examples to ensure that the reader understands the use perfectly.
Places to use a comma:
- Use commas while you are listing items. Commas in such instances ensure that the list is separated. For example:
- I have to bring bread, butter, vegetables, and fruits from the market.
- Use a comma before you put in a quotation in your sentence. For example:
- Cinthia said, “I want to run to the hills.”
- Use commas for joining two long independent clauses. For example:
- He was pretty moved in by Celeste’s speech, so he asked her out right after the show.
- Use commas after you use an introductory word or phrase in your write-up. A comma should follow the introduction to a sentence. For example: However, Jack did not respond to Aiden’s text.
- Use commas to separate an independent clause that comes after a dependent clause. For example: If you cannot abide by the rules, please leave
- Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives. If you are describing two or more adjectives in your sentence, you need to use a comma in between them if they are coordinating. For example:
- John is a pretty kind, cheerful soul.
- Use commas to set off any non-essential element in a sentence. For example, if you want to include any extra information in your sentence that is not essential to its meaning, use a comma before and after writing the particular information. For example:
- Alyssa tried shoving it all off, it did not help though, to bring on a fresh start.
- If you use a serial comma, try using it consistently. For example:
- Josh brought milk, cheese, butter, tofu, and eggs.
Places to not use a comma:
There are some instances where the writers end up putting commas in places where it is not necessary. In several cases, commas are incorrect punctuations. Below are listed places where you should not use commas:
- Never use a comma if your sentence consists of two independent clauses. In such cases, you need to use either a semicolon or a conjunction.
For example:
Incorrect: The weather was pretty cool yesterday, I went out shopping.
Correct: The weather was pretty cool yesterday; I went out shopping.
- Never separate a compound subject or a compound object by using commas. For example, if your sentence has a compound object or a compound subject that consists of two nouns, you should use conjunction instead of a comma.
For example:
Incorrect: The experience was mesmerizing for both Elijah, and Elena.
Correct: The experience was mesmerizing for both Elijah and Elena.
The Bottom Line
Commas are generally considered as tricky punctuation because they are used in multiple contexts. This makes it more struggling for writers to cope up with the use of commas. Thus, if you find it hard to get grips with the use of commas, don’t worry because it is pretty normal.
This guide lists all the simplest rules that one should keep in mind before they make use of commas in their write-ups. As mentioned, there are instances where commas are necessary, optional, and incorrect. Thus, a bit of knowledge of these rules and practice is enough to make it much easier for the writers to cope with the use of commas.